The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-06-22

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honor to the town.
Long before the hour for com
mencement the Opera Hall was
crowded 10 its utmost capacity. In
speaking OF the exercises, we shall
be forced to speak in general rather
than detail. The enterprising spirit
shown by THE Times in the publica-
tion of the essays and orations does
more. than any detailed attempt at a
review Of :hem can. As we'll In view
of the fact thar so many were not
able to hear the exercises, il will IN
part compensate for that loss. Yet
only in part. The mere reading of
what was read or spoken, fails to con-
veythe same sense of energy, thought
and charm, which the delivery of
such productions furnish, aided by
the stimulus of the throng and the
adornlnent of the place of meeting.
Nor can we trcnscribe on to paper the
soothing or rousing effect Of music,
vocal or instrumental. The reading
OF the names Of those who added to
the evenings entertainment by the
music furnished might seem sufficient
guarantee of its quality. Such was
fact. The platform was very heavily
and tastily adorned with flowers and
foliage. Above in evergreen the
well chosen motto Of the class,
"Nshg1a NnHx RetrO sum- and on
the right, the wrought figures "'8s."
The address Of welcome wa, timely
effort. The High School was given
the same place in the local education
al department that the University
sustains in the State. The effect of
its course, as fitting the students to
pursue further studies, or meet the
duties of life, was dwelled upon, and
the loyalty of past graduates men
toned as a good omen for the school.
To the writer a novel and very in.
teresting feature was the greeting of
the class of '9s to that of 'S3. About
score of primary school children
sang Gas only children can) with zeal
and JUNCTION, unfettered of convcn.
tialism an ode Of greeting, which in
volved the simple hand drill of that
department.
The renderings of the themes
chosen were good. To those un-
accustomed 10 meet the vast con-
course thus gathered, it would not be
surprising if stage fright hindered
the revelation of the best power OF
delivery. Yet none revealed any
married. embarrassment The mental
powers are fairly estimated in such
productions, and we hesitate not in
saying that no friend of the graduates
need feel other than a just pride IN
the strength OF mind displayed in
the thoughts furnished. Mr.. Will
Gould and Miss r. A. Willoughby
had voices better fitted to the size of
the audience, and no doubt drew
from that fact larger confidence in
delivery, while all of the class spoke
with sufficient clearness, and inten-
sity to allow the writer, midway in
the hall, to understand all that was
said.
Prof. Seelye made two speeches,
neither of which were lengthy, both
OF which were forcible. One result
ed in quieting few who were too
prone to forget that the magnitude of
the concourse, and the circumstances
about, demanded intense gu ct; the
other brief preface to the presenta-
tion of the diplomas.
While it was regretted that Mr.. +.
w. Pendleton, Of Detroit, was called
away and SO, not able to deliver his
address to the class, one could but
feel that any words that would tend
to keep from their full force the
kindly injunctions of the Superinten-
dent, would have been cut of place
however good otherwise.
If "a government based on public
opinion must mould the powers by
which public opinion is formed" it
is essential that the moulders of the
minds in the school room should
themselves be men and women, who
believe in loyalty to the great princi.
Piles of righteousness and truth.
That the corps of teachers in our
High School do thus believe, is
fact deserving our profoundest graft
4.