Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-23

Five young graduates, With fast-beatipe
hearts. bouquets in button holes, and new
suits, made their bow before the large and
pleasant company Of friends and schoolmates
which fIled the spacious hall Of the Cow
High school building, Thursday afternoon.
The room locked extremely attractive, with
It's cool, white walls, and floral ornamental
ticns and the summer breeze which fiuttered
in at the windows kept the temperature and
atmosphere fresh and agreeable. Instrumeu-
tai music was furnished by Pullen's indispen-
sable orchestra. Rev. Il. w. Tilden made
the invocation.
While the class which graduated this year
was small in numbers, yet the exercises we're
made extremely interesting By the timeli-
ness of the topics. The programme vas
a blessed variation from the ordinary
hackneyed subjects which are usually as
signed to graduates. The ESSAYS evinced
careful preparation and thought, and we're of
more than ordinary excellence lire and
was the theme Of Robert j. Martin, who
spoke in clear, resonant voice, with appro-
pirate gestures, pointing out the evils which
affiict that unhappy country and the best meth
cd of eradicating them. Miss Helen T. Wilder
read paper, "Factoque Hic Fine Quievit.,''
Her clear, nicely modulated voice, modest,
yet selfpossessed bearing. and finely
written essay, must have made her friends
proud of her as she stood upon the platform
Her paper was a plea for rest after the
feverish exertion of our daily lives, thar we
may gain strength and courage for future
exertiOns. Capital and Labor was Bren-
mans topic, and he handled it finely. He has
the elements Of an orator. good presence,
full, strong voice, and is perfectly at ease
before an audience. He painted a dark
picture of the great questions which are
involved in the conflict between Capt.
tol and Labor, and recommended
consultation and arbitration as the proper
solution of the problem. Brennan displayed
much logical and constructive ability in his
dissertation. ITO Day" was the title of Miss
Addie II. Dana's paper. She emphasized the
value and opportunities of the present era.
He only is wise who lives as best he may in
his own generation, signing neither for the
vanished glories of the past or the
nebulOus promises of the future.
Gracefully written, sensible and we'll
delivered, Miss Dana is to be congratulated
upon her essay. Henry F. Hill electrified his
hearers with his topic ''The Necessity of a
New Political Party" 1t was totally unlike
anything which we have ever heard on such
an occasion, and the vein of sarcasm and
spice running through it was delightful. But,
looking beneath the surface, we are glad to see
that our boys are interesting themselves in the
vital questions of the day. His arraignment
of both of the old political parties was mer-
ciless. and he characterized modern politics as
nation Of new party. embracing the best
elements of the old, which should carefully
and conscienciously discuss the great ques-
tons arising and reforms needed, and give us
purity and economy in administration, and
make our flag respected at home and abroad.
Prof G. T. Fletcher conferred the diplo-
mas in brief and appropriate remarks, speak
ing a few words of commentator and en-
couragement to the graduates. The bene-
diction was pronounced by Rev. Mr.. Tilden.
An enjoyable feature of the afternoon was
| the solos by Mrs. E. f. Welch, with Miss
Harlow accompanying on The piano. The
class presented this lady. through Thomas A.
Brennan, their spokesman, with an elegant
fan as token of their appreciation of her
kindness.
An Insult to Augusta Exploded.