Omaha daily bee., 1884-06-12
The DEAF AND DUMB.
Annual Closing Exercises Of the Iowa
Institution.
A Large Glass of Graduates and
an Interesting Programme.
Carpe Diem"

were a happy hnlsh. FOR the nrst Time
in ten years q class was graduated, and q
very worthy class, too, not only being
large in numbers, but evidently averaging
high in scholarship and ability. The pur
pose of the course is to prepare the
students for entering the college for the
deaf and dumb, the institute correspond.
ing to the high school in the public school
system. OF those who were graduated
yesterday only n was a lady, the other
ten were young gentlemen, and of these,
eight at least expect to enter the college
at Washington next fall.
The programme presented yesterday
was not confined altogether to members OF
graduating class, others of the students
also taking part. The programme was
mainly carried out In the sign language
and interpreted to the teachers by the
speaking and hearing visitors. The es-
says of the graduates we're excellent and
both in thought and diction would COM
pare favorably with those produced at
any high school commencement.
The programme opened with an essay
on "Success of Business" by Charles r..
Hemstreet, n of the graduating class.
He named indus Try, energy, persever.
ance, prudence and integrity, as among
the essential and dwelt somewhat on
each.
knowledge is power" is the theme
of the next essay by j. Schuyler Long,
another of the class. One could hardly
realize that he was one of the pupils, as
he gave his essay verbally, instead of in
the sign language, although he had lost
his hearing entirely four years ago. He
spoke well, and his thought, though on
an old theme, was by no means old.
Three little girls then gave a very In
teresting picturing in sign language of
the story of Old Mother Hubbard and
her poor dog.
Frank l.. Penny, the next of the class,
gave a thoughtful essay on Patriotism I"
He sharply dissected false patriotism were
political ambition, selfish reaching for
power, and gave Washington, Lincoln
and others as examples of true lovers of
the country.
"The Past and Present." was the sub
ject of an excellent essay by Zach B.
Thompson. He drew some striking
pictures contrasting the idolatry of the
past with the religion of the present, the
tyranny of the dark ages with the free
dom of the new, the progress made in the
education of the deaf and dumb, the ad-
vantages brought by the press and the
improvement i'll agricultural machinery.
Mark Hewlett, a little colored boy,
gave a very laughable pantomime of
''The Donkey and the Watermelon" 1t
caused much amusement and was given
in 30 life-like q ann that no verbal
Interpretation was necessary.
Wesley Il. Dobson, one of the gradu-
ates, gave some practical thoughts on
bad Habits" He pointed out many of
the difficulties in c%onquering them, and
gave some excellent suggestions as to the
help which others should render the
struggling victim in his attempts to re-
gain freedom from these habits. He
spoke of those who did not easily go into
oASonn, ohu urRou eiiohi w uoWaro VI sel-
ting m evil example to those who could
not 80 easily restrain themselves.
Little Miss Ollie Tracy recited in sign
language "Mrs. Lofty and l." it being
one of the best things IN the programme
Elmer Edgerton, of the graduating
class, gave an essay on "Perseverauce.'
He believed perseverance to be better
than genius, and gave some pleasing il
Illustrations of the success won by thi
manly quality. His essay was among tn
best Of the day.
Daniel Teller, another of the class
had prepared an essay on "Self Govern
ment, but was excused from appearing OF
account of illness.
Dwight Metz, a bright boy with an un
usual amount of natural mimicry, told il
pantomime the story of the minister an,
the wasps, which aroused much merrl
ment.
John w. Barrett, son of Senator Bar
ret, and one the most promising younI
men in the class, gave an excellent essa,
on "The Light of History" He Shove
that by a study of history it appeare
that great advances had been made il
both religious and political freedom.
Winnie Emerson, a young lady, gave
very pleasing recitation, Good BY
Proud World" her sign language being
very graceful and impressive.
Miss Efie Babb, the only lady gradr
5 ate, gave an essay on ''Man's True Grea'
ness Although the world in he
childhood became a silent one to hel
yet she has so chung TO what little lar
guage she had, and so cultivated it, tha
8 she read her essay quite clearly and wit
such an expression that one could hardl
believe that she could not catch tn
words which she gave to others. He
essay presented true greatness or a greai
ness of character.
1t remained for Howard Mop. Ho.
Q steater to give the closing essay and vale
dictory. 1t was on Youth" and afte
giving some interesting thoughts on tina
8 subject, no proceeded with the valedic
9 tory address as follows; -
/, The time has come to graduate from the IN
stitution, and, also, to part with our dear an
kind friends. The separation Is mingled wit
feelings of deep regret, and with hopes thu
those following us shall continue CROWN
brighter, more intelligent and better educate,
, We feel very grateful TO our superintendent
a and faculty for their willing and patient wor
: helping to Tighten our difficulties over Il
rough way to knowledge, which were man,
They have tried their best to make our time
0 school profitable and pleasant, and we wi
, always remember our alma mater with lovir
= thoughts.
My Fellow Graduates thine and tC
wait for none," 30 to-day, we will have
4 leave our dear home with heavy hearts. "
y have been attending school together, studyii
the same lessons aud playing the same gam,
for the past nine years, and now we are
the eve of parting, entering into life's battl
. fold. Let us remember our motto NCarI