Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-07-05
BOY AND GIRL GRADUATES
A Miniature Fortress of Flowers
and Fruits - How the Graduates
Looked Their Paris, Prizes
Addresses, &e.

|
The graduating class, numbering 30
pupils Of the Iligh School, held its com.
uiencement exercises i'll the Opera uouss
last evening wepk. The bnilding contained
larger andiepoe than could bs acoOmmo-
dated with seats And many we're Obliged
10 stand during the exercises. Shortly
after s o'clock tbs graduates filed to the
seats assigned th.m on the stage.
Charles Baird, President of the Board
Of Education, WAS seated between the
young men and women graduates. The
Revs. Lafayette Marks, d. D., and j..
Richards Boyle, John II. Adams, j.. Ii.
Hotfecker, Jr., ESQ, Superintendent
Brdsall, and George A. Elliott, Eaq.,
were also seated op the stage. In the
rear, and to the left, were about so young
women, pupils Of No. school, who rem
dersd several excellent vocal selections
under the leadership of their instructor,
G. b. Rhoads, during the evening. On
the front of the stage were innumerable
bouquets, baskets Vt flowers, fruit and
parcels, offerings of friends TO the gradu-
ates. The female members of the gradu-
atipg' class were dressed Ii white, with
| iiUwers Uf the b..liv color or deitoate tints
at their throats. The boys wore black
suits, with fragrant nosrgsys OIL their
lapels.
The exercises opened with a spirited
overture, exoellently rendered by the.
Philharmio Orchestra, directed by G. b.
| Rhoads.
The salutatory with an essay, "Am-
bition," by l.. Calvin Bertolette followed.
The salutatorian extended a cordial well
come to the audience which had assem-
bled to ses the fruits of another years
work OF the public schools. Henceiorth,
he confined, the members of the class
must rely upon their own efforts, as
tonight they cease to be wards OF the
States muniicenoe, and we come before
you not to display our excellence but to
elicit your approval. The essay
ist then defined ambition as
a quality which was deserving
entertainment with every one. Ambition,
ii rightly applied, ipcites noble deeds; II
upjustly, it leads to ignoble deeds. IL Is
universal, and extends from the savage
to the highest type of civilization sets
strength in molten forces out an i'll
dolent disposition; promotes understand
ing brushes evil, and is the secret of
success. Too much ambition is the most
dangerous OF possessions, and its too full
possession Of ,nsr causes tho pubic 10
have a lack OF confidence in him. If
properly controlled, however, it is the
touohstone Of success. The speaker ac-
quilted himself exoellently, and entered
into his subject spiritedly.
Miss Katie G. Plummer read an essay,
"The Good Old Times," in which she
eontrasted the ancient times with the
modern. Portraying the method OF living,
homes, education and pleasures OF the
auoients in contrast with the increased
benefits of the present day wrought by
discovery, invention, scientific research,
education and culture, she thought "the
good old times" in fact rather disap
pointing to the practical mind.
Song, "Fair Janet" by the class OF
girls. "5..--
George A. Elliott, President OF Viii
mipgtOu Institute, in q brief address,
delivered rs prizes ior Oest scholarship
for the yeEr, cards oi membership
ent1lipg holders To privileges OF the
library 70. one year to the following
pnptls: William Il. Cooling, Frsnk NJ.
Jones, Charles Is Palmer, Ella Pickles,
Ella AldriUh ard Mary pickels. The
tickets were handed the successful pupils
except Frank Nj Jonea, who was not
present, beiug detained a. home on
account of al accident.
Music, "Iiylle," by tie philharmonic
Dreiisstra-~---- -
Essay, "Then--Now," by John l..
Whelan. The wonders worked by time
sre such that the nineteenth century 10
Infinitely separate irom the colonial days.
The esssyist presented in an interesting
way, the development IN ecence, art,
literature aud education that has been
made since the early history of America,
Commensuratsly with this development,
there has been change in the habits Of
the people, customs, methods of living, aud
style of dress. The works OF the present
century were regarded as wonderful, and
like his predecessor he inclined to the be-
lief that the "now" was preferable
period to the "ther.'
Essay, "Home," Hannah L. Foulk
The speaker dweit lily on the warmth
expressed III the word 'lome," and
characterized it as the trysting place OF
hearts. In the nature OF things every
living thing has home, q plsoe of abso-
late conteutment and happiness. Con
tentment ii most conspicuous in Ameri-
can homes. The practice OF sacrificing
the real comforts aud pleasant surround
iugs OF home TO make good appearances
iu other things the speaker abhorred.
She referred amusirgly to the farmers Of
Cumberland valley, Pa, living in mtser.
able novels, and housing their horses in
handsomely appointed stables, and from
this circumstance dedueed the opinion
that the horses fnrmed the aristocrscy IN
that section. The iniluanos Of home and
mother can govern a mans lie and
} elevates him.
J Song, 'North Wind" by tho class.
Elizabeth Carlisle and George T.
Hildebrand were awarded the Adams
= Adams prize, gold medal, for excellence
in English Grammar. The presentation
! ! was made by the Rev. Lafayette Marks
d. d. In brief address Mr.. Marks said
there were no institutions in This city
more deserving of support than the
public schools. They are owned and
supported by the people of Wilmington
and you (addressing the olass) are the
fruits and flowers they have produced
while the tree still belongs to the people
, There is no greater interest than tina
; Of public education represented in vii
mington. Our glory is not 30 much IL
building ships, cars and carriages, as Ii
> matters of education. Educated mech anic
are the best mechanics, that ia to be edu
Gated to unite intelligence with manua
skill. These prizes as they are intended
. called out energy and lsudable efforts
d and the sucoessful pupils gained them II
t competition with 81 boys and 80 girls
They are only an incentive OF bette
'. efforts, and to prepare you to improve TO
: still better work in the future, upoI
0 which your success in life depends.
Music, "Fest March," Phillarmoni
4 Orchestra.
= Essay, "Misused Energy" by S. J
p Horn. The esseyist thought that il
4 choosing occupations or professions mel
= too often select that to which they hel,
no natural relation aud thus misdireote,
their energies. They enter the avenue
of trade without the faintest knowledg
l Of business forms, and by mistakin
!. a their field Of labor misused their ener
y gies. He likened men IN business for whiol
y they have no aptitude to draft horse
). racing with horses trained to the track
u Concluding, he said every man has tn
ability to be first rate something wLicl
a is better than fifth rate nothing.
=. Essay, "Song and Its Mission" b.
y Mary l. McCaiferty. History OF song
}. older than the history of civilization.
o is the mystical language of God
h lightens the heavy heart and soften
o nature, and opens to man another realu
: and ia the voice of heaven. The essayis
d | treated of its effect upon all condition