Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-08-07
FoR THE CLARIoN
Commencement Exercises Ofthe Iuka
Normal Institute.

The commencement exercises of the
IUKA NORMAL INSTITUTE began Tues.
day evening, July 10th, and closed on
the 23d. Throughout the exercises
much interest was manifested Dy the
people Of the town and surrounding
community, and the visitors from dis
tance numbered as many as could have
been expected. 1t was the fourth an
nual Commencement of this excellent In
stitution, and every one whom we heard
express an opinion regarded these ex.
ercises as the best the school has yet
given.
On Tuesday night the Commencement
Sermon was preached in the Methodist
church, by Rev j. A. Francis, of Cor
iinth. He is comparatively young
minister, and the enthusiasm which he
appears to have in his labor, was, we are
glad to say, in no little degree infused
into the young people confronting him.
Hi spoke of the Christian graces as Civ
en- by Paul, and showed the necessity of
their being possessed by every young
man and young lady in beginning active
life work. His sermon was highly cred
liable to himself and duly appreciated
by his audience.
Wednesday night there were no pub
lie exercises. This was the night for
the Alumni Association. After a
pleasant evening of social intercourse,
extending from nine to half-past ten
O'Clock, the present and past graduates
of the Normal partOOk of handsome
supper prepared by the ladies Of the
i R.n+set church Eyyorvorn u,bo a@+ov,d- =
ed the banquet was highly delighted
with it, and pronounced it not the least
interesting feature of the entire exer-
cises. Alter this genuine feast, at the
call of the teacher, some of the young
men responded in short speeches to the
subjects which he announced, and
beautiful recitation was given by Miss
Susie p. Dunn: Crock of Ages At
one o'clock, the hour Of dispersion and
departure, the evenings entertainment
closed. If there was anyone who cid
not enjoy himself to the full extent of
the law, he escaped the observation of
your correspondent-wa too courteous
to let it be discovered.
Thursday night the students in the
Teachers Department delivered their
addresses. The first speech on the pro-
gramme was omitted: "Petruchie and
His Kate By Mr.. j. j. Blythe. This
was regretted by the audience, as Mr..
Blythe has quite a reputation among his
people as speaker, and with his fine
stock of humor never fails to please his
hearers, at the same time presenting his
theme in such a manner that it is clear
ly understood.
Miss Susie p. Dunn, of Enterprise,
Miss, spoke upon Scott's Lady of the
Lake" Had the chivalreus James
Fitz James beheld her this night as she
knelt pleading for the release of Roder-
ick Dhn, we imagine it would have re-
quired considerable effort on his part to
fling the chain of gold over Malcolm'sneck
and 'slay the clasp in Ellen's hand,D so
much would he have been attracted by
her beauty. Her elocutionary talent is
of a high order, and Joined to her own
beauty, and the beauties of her ad-
dress, she was quite an attraction on the
stage.
Mr.. G. q. Hughes, of Delay, Miss,
spoke of Nihilism in an address of ff-
teen minutes. His appearance on the
stage was free from all embarrassment;
he spoke naturally, with no attempt at
oratory; simple, plain presentation of
the history and principles of Nihilism;
and in conclusion portrayed its results
should it obtain control of any govern
ment. He drew these results from its
principles and its late atrocioHs plots in
some of our cities, showing that he thor
oughly understood his subject, in all its
details. Mr.. Hughes simple language
and natural gestures show that he is no
stranger to public appearance, or if a.
stranger, not in the least afraid of it.
Mr.. ]. /. Longest next spoke upon Sir
William Wallace, the Scottish Patriot.
Mr.. Longest is a handsome man-tall,
straight, and we'll formed, and in gener-
al has the appearance of an orator. But
unfortunately his Grafton was not thor
foughly memorized, and when half fin
ished his memory proved treacherous,
andthere was painful pause of a min
ute or more before he succeeded in re-
covering the lost thread of his speech.
The character and story of Antonio
were we'll presented by Miss M. E. Mil
Ter, of Grenada. The noble traits Of this
Christian man lost nothing in the hands
of the young lady. Miss Miller speaks
well.
"The Southern Historian, Statesman
and Philanthropist Alex. FL. Stephens" ,"
as the speaker, pronounced him, was
carried from birth to death, and all i'm
portant acts of his life in his triple
composition fully reviewed by Mr.. J. G.
Sloane, of Rayne, La. He occupied
only about ten minutes, yet if any audi
tor failed to procure a good outline Of
the life of Mr.. Stephens, it was not the
speakers fault. Mr.. SIoane's limited
time did not allow lin to perfect his
sentences or round off his periods, but as
an example Of condensing with sound
judgment-of putting much in little
we have rarely heard his speech ex-
celled.
The sad history of Josephine, the
beautiful, gifted, but iIl-fated wife Of
Napoleon, was told by Miss Cora Thomp-
son, of GAINESVILLE, Tenn. The language
used by this young lady was chaste and
elegant, her sentences all polished but