The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-06-02
CAIRO'S MEMORIAL DAY.

CAIRO'S MEMORIAL DAY.
Yesterday was what may be properly
termed Cairo's annual Decoration Day,
both by reason of the occasion aud the man
ner in which it was celebrated The occa-
sion was the commencement exercises of the
High School graduating class, the most i'm
portant event during year in our public
schools; the celebration, at the Opera
House, consisted Of the customary address
by the members of the class, music, and
floral offerings.
The auditorium of the Opera House was
taxed to its capacity, down stairs, up stairs
and in the gang ways, with the best people
of the city in holiday attire. Every seat
was occupied and many were compelled to
stand. 1t was as fine an audience as ever
graced the Opera house, which tact showed
plainly that the best people of the city take
a deep interest in our public schools AMI
much pride in the results of the laboIs OF
those employed in them.
On the stage thirteen chairs and settee
were placed in semi-circe. The two
young men of the class, Thomas Wyatt Hal
lidsy and Robert Lee Strstton, occupied
the settee which stood in the centre, and
the young ladies, all wearing dresses OF
white material, sat six on either side, while
one chair, that intended for Miss Mamie
Leniz, was vacant. Back of the class, on
the left, sat the school board and Prof Clark,
on the right, a number of ladies, some of
our fine musical talent, who were to execute
the musical part of the programme.
With one or two exceptions in the musl-
cal parts, the programme as published was
carried out 1t was opened with music on
the piano and clarionet by Miss Rida Corliss
and Prof. Storer, in which the performers
displayed that skill for which they are
noted and admired in the community A
sLcrt invocation was then pronounced by
Rev. Scarritt after which Miss Mary zim
norman read her essay, with salutatory, IN
loud, clear, steady voice, and with calm
manner, that enabled the audience to hear
and understand every word. Thus fairly
opened, the exercises continued, without an
unpleasant circumstance, one essay after
another by the members Of the class as their
names were called by Prof. Clark, inter-
spersed with music both vocal and instru.
mental, until the end Of the programme
was reached, which was not until after
o'clock in the afternoon.
Tue essays and addresses we're all short
and pithy productions, showing care in
their preparation and training on the part
of the authors. They were all we'll deliv-
cred, the addresses by the young men par.
ticularly so, and the authors received each
the hearty applause of the audience But
the floral offerings sent to each member OF
the class at the conclusion of his or her es-
say or address were unusually lavish in
quantity and magnificent in their varied
forms and rich colors. They were present
ed to the members by little girls and boys
and placed at their feet, so that, when the
exercises were over and all had received
their beautiful offerings, the class seemed
to be seated in bed of flowers.
Miss Mamie Lentz being absent, Prof.
Clark read her essay, and the vacant chair
was filed with the beautiful flowers intend.
ed for her.
The concluding feature of the exercises,
and by no means an unimportant or unin-
terestng one, was the address of Prof.
Clark to the class, which was iul of good
advice.
We regret our lack of space for brief
notice deservedly complimentary of each
of the actors in this very Interesting and
notable event, but when it is said that all did
well, rejecting credit not upon themselves
alone, but also upon those who for years
had been their faithful instructors, only the
expressed opinions of many who attended
the eSercles are repeated.
The class of '83, the Tenth that has IS
sued from the Cairo High School room, and
of the largest if not the largest, may look
back upon yesterday with much pleasure
always and doubtless will.