St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-24
The Class the Largest Ever
Graduated by Such a.
School in Minnesota.
Gov. MeGill Delivers q Short
AddpeSS--A List Of the
Graduates. y
The School at Mankato Also
Sends Out a Very q
Large Class. T.
Special to the Globe.

WINoNA, Minn., May 23.-The state
OF Minnesota, through the First Normal
school at Winona, this morning con-
ferred the honors of graduation on the
| largest class ever graduated from a
Minnesota normal school. There was
| even more than the usual interest man
lfested in commencement day exercises,
and Normal hall was filled with an in
telligent audience of friends of the
school and the graduates. Fifty-five
diplomas were awarded to fifty-tive ca
pable and deserving young men and
women, many of whom have chosen
teaching as their life vocation, and all
of whom, as they 90 to their homes in
various parts of this and other states,
will make felt the influences of a
| thorough course of study, practical
work in the methods of teaching, a
model discipline, and the social and re-
ligiouS advantages which combined
| constitute the idea of educa-
tion at this institution. The rostrum
was very prettily decorated with
choice plants and flowers, in addition
| to the tasteful decorations which have
beautitied Normal hall throughout COM
mencement week. The graduating class
| and some of the pupils of the lower
classes who assisted in the choruses sat
upon the rOStrum, while the rest of the
| school were stationed upon the raised
seats at both sides of the rOstrum. A
distinguished list of educators sat upon
| the raised platform at the right of the
| hall. Besides the faculty
THERE WE'RE PRESENT
Gov. A. r. McGill, State Superintend-
ent ID. l.. Kiehle, Hon. w. S. Pattee,
president of the state normal board; G.
Mayor John Ludwig. ex-Mayor Snow,
Gen. G. Ill. Berry, Hon. Thomas Simp-
son, Rev. Levi Gilbert, Rev. W. II.
Knowlton, Prof. Cheadle, of Can
non Falls; Prof. Ackerman, of
Arcadia: Supt. v. c. Curtis, of
the city schools; Senator |.
l. Hayden, DR.. Franklin Staples,
DR.. J. B, McGaughey, Hon. o. B Gould,
| ex-senator Buck, Miss Celia Mitchell,
of the Wabasha schools, and others.
President Shepard mad charge of the
exercises. Fassett's orchestra was sta
toned directly in front of the rostrum
and played JacobOwskis ''Erminie,'
while the classes and visiters were TAX
ing their seats. Prayer was offered by
Rev. Levi Gilbert, of the Central Meth
odist church. The programme was
opened by music-Marchetti's ave
Maria''-by the ladies' chorus.
TIE sALUTATORY
was then given.by Miss Lila Miller. of
Winona. Sid extended a hearty well
come to all, and said the audience
showed by its presence its appreciation
and general interest in the cause
of education. Miss Miller then
proceeded with her essay on
SsEIuoa4inn in, ba
sit is left largely for the citizens of the
state to determine how much shall be
done for the cause of education in our
public schools. The common schools
of Minnesota were commenced before
we were state. The primitive log huts
of the early days were rapidly replaced
by better buildings. These improve
ments were made possible by land
grants. But the paramount want of
the early schools was competent teach
erS. An improvement in this direction
was made by the advent Of profess
sional teachers from the older states.
Men of eminent character interested
themselves early in the history of Min
neSOta'S education, and all the great
improvements of education in later
years has been made through the work
of the Normal schools. Untold benefit
has accrued from them. What makes
state? Men, high-minded men; men
who duty know and know their rights.
Upon such may rest the prosperity of
Minnesota"
personal Rights was the subject of
a well-delivered Grafton by Charles A.
Hutchinson, of Hesper, 10. He said:
History reveals the length of time it
has taken men to arrive at the conclu-
sion that all have certain inalienable
rights. Man has been elevated by the
Christian principles Of justice and
equality. We deem it right to say
that the good of the state is subordinate
to the good of the individual. Law and
education are two powerful agencies.
The liberty we now enjoy would have
ruined our forefatherS because they
were not educated up to it. Christianity
points out to us that growth in single
direction is dangerous; Spain is an eX-
ample of this. But we as nation are
strong in many ways: strong in church
and strong III state. The industrial and
trade spirit, however. is becoming too
dominant, at the expense of education
and public affairs. May we gain that
purest individual liberty which uplifts
self and uplifts mankind"
THE NORMAL CHORUS
then sang Donizetti's $40, the Morn in
the Mountains"
Miss Cynthia J. Conwell, of Pine
Island, read a very able essay on "Mary
Lyon" She reviewed her life and
works, and spoke of the origin of
Mount Holyoke seminary. The object
of the school and her ideas IN founding
it. and the course of study and disci-
piine we're mentioned. Many pupils of
Mary Lyon had sacrificed every per-
sonal desire for the good of
Waltham, Mimi, followed in an
schools" She said,"W must study the
methods in our public schools that we
know their moral tendencies. The
study of ethics from text books is in
valuable for those who can understand
them. but children cannot do this; chill
dren are trained to all acts of courtesy
and politeness. By being introduced
to good literature when young, they
form high standard for reading. The
love of art, literature and travelling
arise, but when these lead to a distaste
The school teachers must sup
ply this. The spirit of the
school should develop independence of
thought and action. The teacher must
be living example of her teachings, in
order to have that personal influence
which is necessary to the school ROOM
The orchestra played LA Gitana,"
by Buccolossi, while the audience, at
the suggestion of President Shepard,
stood up to rest. The subject Of
Miss Tierney'S essay was, ''IS
Ireland Responsible?" She said:
Every event in the history
of Ireland had tended to arouse SYM
pathy How can we forget the great in
fiuence that Ireland once welded over
the world? The excellence of Ireland's
schools were once such that they drew
students from all the countries of the
world But the starry emblem of il.tel-