The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-06-14
Ahe Seminary West of the SuNan.
nee River

9th instant. The hall was comfortably filled
WIN inc elite of the city, together with sprnk
| ing oi gentlemen and ladies from a distance.
| Only TWO OF the four nonresident members of
the Board OF Education were present on the
stage, viz Colonel w. d. Chipley, of Pensaco-
la, and Captain E. p Dlsmukes. of Quincy. OF
the resident members, Mr. George Lewis. Secre
'ary and Captain p. Houstoun, President, were
present The platform was tastefully dec
GRATED with evergreens, but the handsome
| corps OF students that occupied the front
| seals was the most attractive feature of the
| scene
In opening the exercises President Edgar
stated that owing to the pressure of work TO
which the students had been subjected during
the entire session, he had been unwilling to i'm
pose upon them the task OF preparing elaborate
CLOSING exercises, but that to conform to CUSTOM
snort programme would be presented
The following students were then introduced
CLASSES
Miss Minnie Clark ccitation--The Georgia Volunteer
Miss Matte Ball Fidelity Unto Death
Mr. Cheever Shine defamation Expunging Res
oution
ccILEGIANs
Miss Jennie Grant-Essay-" Life is What We Make It.
Mr Hugh Shine -Oraon-'T The Condition Of the South
at the Close of the War and Her Present Condition
and Prospects,"
Inc Rotations We're not of the sky-rocket
style, but of the milder type of enunciation,
based upon good articulation, faithful expression
and naturalness of m inner, features which the
better pleased the venerable typo charged with re.
porting the proceedings. The Misses Clark and
Ball presented very handsome appearance, too
"hlle Mr.. Cheever Shine personalcd the " Mill
Boy OF The Slashcs with dignity and basssity
OF voice which would have done credit to a Ro
man Senator
The essay of Miss Grant was clastc both in
thought and expression, and WAS distinctly
enough cnunciated, bat owing to the confusion
incident to the late arrival OF some ladies and
gentlemen was not heard by those who sat in
the rear part of the hall
MI. Hugh Shines Grafton on the South wasa
happy effort, rehec'ing great credit upon IFS au.
thor His description OF the condition of the
south az me close OF the war, the disappoint-
ments and trials which its sudden and unexpect-
ed termination brought to the Southern people,
the needless humiliAtions to which they were
subjected in the days OF reconstruction, and the
new struggle which the returning soldiers had
10 hght against poverty and want WAS both
graphic and pathetic; while his tribute to the
bravery, torttule and fOrbeirance of the South
ern people through 1t AL, and his enumeration of
the great changes that have come over
the fair face OF the beautiful South during
the last % years through the pluck and
energy of her sons and daughters was but
statement of facts most credltablc to all who
formation.
Mr.. Shine is evidently loyal son Of his native
heath, and We trust III " live long to enjoy the
genial Sunshine and balmy air OF whch he
spoke so cloqucntly.
At the close OF the alb I'VE exercises Captain r.
lIoustoun, President of the Board of Education
spoke follows
LtdjcS elm GeutieD.eu
Once again you have assembled TO witness a
part of the closing exercises Of the West Florida
Seminary, and by your welcome presence to cX-
tend your and and encouragement to the pleas
ures of the occasion. The session lust closing has
been prosperous and encouraging one. The
Board OF Euca'ion, exercising great care and dill
gcnce, have filled the different chairs of the Sem
mary with Professors of such high moral quail
fiatlons. and such great educational atiainmenls,
would be credit 10 any institution. The
worthy Professors, with cOmmendablc zeal and
untring devotion, have cndeavorcd to nstil into
the minds of the youths entrusted 10 their care
such lessons OF wisdom aud morality as will cX-
crcise controlling and beneficial influence
throughout their future careers The students
themselves, with dIligent application to their
studies, and prompt obedience to the rnlcS OF
discipline, have acted well their parts And
now, ladies and gentlemen, ! desire to ask you
It's friend, and patrons, ii YOU have taken thai
deep interest in the institution which lis impor
lance demands. And II, upon retleclon you
find y-u have not done 50, permit me, with
all respect but with deep earnrslncsS to ask that
in future you will use your utmost cndcavors to
promote the welfare and extend the usefulness
OF The Seminary. Remember, you have the
Seminary at your very doors, where your sons
and daughters can have all the facilities OF OBJ
tanning r-t-cass education, surrounded by
the good influences of home, and without de-
priving that home Of the pleasure their presence
always brings Let us ALL then, citizens, stu
dents, professors and Board of Eiucalion com
bne our united efforts and we may feel the Ger
tain assurance OF building up an institution of
which may all feel justly proud, the far
reaching arms Of whose influence, increasing in
strength with each succeeding year. will soon in
clude within its kind embrace every young man
and maiden within It's territorial limits, extend
ing lis attractions, perhaps, to distant States.
To the students OF the Seminary the Board Of
Education desire to express their thanks and
Their congratulations. Thanks Tor the earnest
diligence with which you have performed
your allotted duties and the prompt aud cheer
iul acqucscencc with which you have submitted
to the rules and regulations OF the several pro-
fessors, thereby rendering more pleasant their
arduous duties. Congratulations tor the rapid
progress you have made on the road to knowl-
edge, and the bright prospects the future prom
iSe5. Ever listening to the voice Of duty, may
you continue to advance on the road to knOWl-
edge, wisdom and true happiness, and long may
you continue to exercise a good influence over
those sections of the country that shall be proud
| to claim you.
| May you live for those VINO love you
For those who know you true;
For the smiles Of Heaven above you,
That awaits your spirit too;
For the cause that lacks assistance,
For the wrong that needs resistance,
For the future III the distance,
And the good that you can do"
And, now, ladies and gentlemen, you will have
the pleasure OF listening TO an address from the
| gentleman who has SO successfully managed the
earnest solicitation of mem ,ers of the board, has
consented to address you-a gentleman, who
| long wears ago, before wars loud alarums. had
disturbed the tranquility of this beautiful section
and called forth her brave sons to battle in her
defence, endeared himself to the hearts OF many
of our citizens by his kind and genial manners,
and by his successful career teacher IN this
| Seminary, and who, from the deep interest he
| feels in this section, and the sincere regard he
| has for her people, has decided once again to
make his home with US, and his utmost en-
dcavors TO build up our Seminary. l take much
pleasure in introducing our honored and efficient
Principal, General George NJ. Edgar.
President Edgar proceeded TO deliver