The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-07-06
commencement Exercises.

The annual commencement exercises of
the Paw Paw High school were held at Long
wells Opera house, on Thursday evening of
last week, and with the exception of few
things that good taste and good judgement
would have left unsaid, the affair was a sue
cess, and the essays, orations, and declam a.
tions evinced thought, study, culture, and
talent. Notwithstanding the fact that the
rain poured down in torrents the house was
well filed. Each of those who participated
were made the recipients of elegant bou-
quets and baskets of flowers. The enter
tainment opened with piano solo, followed
by an appropriate prayer by Rev. w. @.
Burns. Essay, THE Changes of Time" read
by Miss Lucia Ballou, was treated in an in
teresting manner and read in clear and
audible voice, that could be heard and under
stood by all.
The next thing on the programme was
an Grafton by Mr. Michael Dorgan on "Educa-
ton" but as he had had scanty time to pre-
pare, he read an essay instead, which showed
marked ability.
Essay, Patriotism" read, or rather spoken,
by Miss Clara Anderson. This was fine, and
although quite lengthy, the young essayist
had it so well committed as to be wholly in
dependent of her manuscript.
Defamation, "The Rum Maniac" by
Master Lynn Free. The mastery manner
lin which he sustained the character of an in
sane votary of rum, evinced talent for ora
tory and action, seldom seen in lad of his
years.
Essay, "Trihes," by Miss Leona johnson,
which was exceedingly we'll read. The fair
essayist maintained that even "Trihes, light
as air" ought not to be wholly disregarded,
for they were often of more value and i'm
portance than they seemed.
Recitation, "The Polish Boy" by Miss
May Dyer, who acted well her part.
Grafton, "A Passing Glance" by Mr.. VIM.
Dorgan. This was spoken in a style peculiar
to himself, and while some parts of it were
well enough, other parts were made up,of
matters extremely inappropriate to such an
occasion, and abounded in statements wholly
untrue, and which his own good sense
should have taught him had better been
omitted. and which ought TO have been rig
idly excluded by the principal of the school,
who had the exercises in charge.
Our only graduate, Miss Cora RuggIes,
then recited her essay which bore the singu-
lar title Sweet Wine Makes Sour Vinegar
This essay, like that of Miss Anderson, was
long, bat so thoroughly learned, that the
manuscript served only for ornament. The
manner in which Miss Ruggles treated her
subject, showed much thought and deep
study and would have reflected credit on q
person of maturer years and larger expert
ence. Professor Cupples, after few appro-
pirate remarks then presented her with her
diploma. "a
This concluded the programme as laid
down, but the High school, desiring to show
its appreciation OF the services of their prin-
cipal, had procured an elegant volume to be
presented to Mr.. Cupples, and had chosen
VIM. Dorgsn to make the presentation speech.
This matter, had it been properly managed,
would have been very pleasant affair. But
in making the presentation, Mr.. Dorgan saw
fit to use language wich was both offensive
and insulting to the school board and to the
very able corps of teachers belonging to the
school, all of whom, with one or two excep-
tions, were present and on the stage. The
occasion of these remarks was the fact that
the board, in the exercise of its best judg-
ment, had seen fit not to retain Mr.. Cupples
as principal for another year. He alluded
to conspiracy to bring about this result,
which had no shadow of existence outside of
his own wild imagination. The remarks of
MIR. Cupples in accepting the gift did not
| tend in any degree to mend matters, but
rather had the contrary effect. Taken all in
oil, this iihPfomPtu Prosou'auon was Huose
unfortunate affair, and if any lngering
doubts remained in the minds of any of the
members of the boa ard regarding the wisdom
of their action they were, doubtless, most eff
fectually dispelled.
The exercises were interspersed with music
both vocal and instrumental rendered by
some of Paw Paws finest players and sing
ers, which largely added to the enjoyment
and interest of the occasion.