The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-05-25


there would be no occasion for more Sc
we're laws.
A double sextet sang "Gipsy Life"
from Schumann, in manner TO win en-
thusiastic applause.
Miss Jennie s. Short followed on the
subject, Relation OF Home and School
Training" She thought that the old
fashioned plan of home training I'M man
ners and morals was much preferable 10
the present growing tendency to lay the
whole training of the children upon the
teacher. This tendency is bringing evil
fruit in several directions. The teach
er's dominion is principally in the intel
lectual sphere. The Young lady's deliy-
cry was good, and she was distinctly
heard in all parts of the room.
"Our Mother Tongue" was the subject
treated by. Miss Lucy Durham. Shere-
viewed thesorigin and development of
the English language and literature. She
mentioned the great importance of the
Saxon words TO the language. The va
rious changes IN the language were pre-
sented. The subject was treated with
more than little Skill, and showed
thorough study of the subject.
This Germania orchestra rendered
Pettee's "Royal Overture" i'm n most
agreeable manner.
Mr.. ID. X. Stockley next entertained
the audience with a well prepared ora
ton on Manual Training" The system
was well chanpioned by the speaker,
who is evidently an ardent supporter of
1t. lie stated that these schools were
first known in Europe, where the skilled
labor was demanded by manufacturers,
and nothing else was taught. This plan
must not be adopted i'm America. how
ever, as the mind must be trained as
well as the hand and eye. A number of
arguments were brought forward TO
show that the system Is just the thing
that Is needed. He showed how the
system had gained ground since its in
PRODUCTION into this country ten wears
ago. The general adoption of this sys-
tenn would tend TO solve the labor prob
lem. The audience was evidently IT,
sympathy with the speaker from the ap-
plause With which he was rewarded.
The fine delivery of Miss Petra Giems
| won for herself the instant and contin-
ued close attention of the audience. "a
Nation Without Home" was her sub.
Ject, and in pathetic terms she pictured
the persecution the suffering Jewish
race had undergone for thousands Ot
years, and was even now enduring to 9
less extent. This race prejudice wal
shown TO have existed i'm all the conn
tries of the earth, and to be present il
free America itself in the form of socia
ostracism. The various high endow
ments of the people as a race were re
viewed. Israel had supplied the worlC
with religion, but her future was i'm he
own hands, and it depended only upoI
her union to fulfill the glorious hope O.
the race. This number, like the proceed
ing one, secured continued applau sc
Miss Gjems is an uncommonly gooi
speaker, and did herself proud on thi
occasion.
Robert Loosemore, whose subject wa
ship Railways" did not appear, hav
ing been excused OH account of illness
The chorus of one hundred sang 80
Hail Us, 1e Free" taken from "Ernani.
To say that it was eXcelIently rend ere,
would not be putting it strong enough.
"The Practical Education of Girls,
was the subject of a well-written, well
spoken essay, by Miss Fannie White
Girls are. too often allowed to grow NJ
without being so educated as to be abb
to support themselves if thrown upo
their own resources, said Miss White
Women are as capable as men to tax
care of themselves if they do not neg
lect their early opportunities. Parent
should encourage their children TO lear
something practical. She showed tina
there arc many directions In which girl
can earn as much as men if they ar
as competent.
j. A. Flittie was the last speaker an
took The Character of Robert Burns
and made most interesting Grafton on
nf oh
and eulogiZed his strong points, nor di
he hide the weaker points. He showe
how the great poets different mood
were stamped on his works. 1t is
; mistake to think that great man car
:. not err and Burns was but mortal. Hi
enemies are long forgotten but his lif
and works shall live forever in tn
. hearts of his admirers. The speake
, showed himself to be decidedly one
q, the latter, and the audience must hav
inclined that way also, to judge from tn
applause when Mr.. Flittie concluded.
The orchestra rendered the livel
concert polka, "Pearl," from Pettee,
its usual highly creditable manner.
Before comforting the diplomas upo
, the graduates, President Soaring e2
4 pressed his regret at the absence of Co
McGlll, which absence was caused by
previous promise to attend the con
mencement exercises at the Winon
; Normal school which occurred on til
: same day. Having always failed to S,
cure the chief executive he felt like asI
ing each of the gubernational candidate
8 to promise to be present next year b,
fore assuring them of any votes i
a Southern Minnesota. In the Governor
E absence it devolved upon him to conft
/ the diplomas. Addressing himself
r the class he asked them, on behalf {
\ the faculty, to carry with them the pt
tency of earnestness. 1t is earnestne,
I and industry that brings a person to til
: front in life, surprising the brighte
: ones. The class motto, ITO be, rattle
y than to seem," should rather read "1
3 work is better than to be or to seem.
I He urged them to go forth with this eI
: ergizing belief and predicted that the
would, in that case, honor themselve
and their alma mater. He then handle
I to each of the thirty-nine graduate
diploma, which the class advanced
Q three sections to receive. To the crit
r cal eye of the audience the graduate
: presented fine appearance and the
looks gave promise that they would cal
. ry out President Searing's advice. TIL
: latter, after giving the diplomas, invite
, the audience to attend the commence
! ment exercises about year henc,
when he hoped to graduate class {
, over fifty. He stated that the past yea
had been of the most prosperous in tn
history of the school.
The audience was dismissed by
benediction by Rev. III. A. Bushnell.
Each of the speakers received sewers
bouquets and baskets of costly flowers
which were gathered up and delivere
by the ushers. Those who did not ar
pear on the program were also remem
, bered by admiring friends.
One successful feature of the 'evenin
was that not as much time was requires
TO finish the program as is often the case
Each production was of limited lengt
and consequently was terse and inter
esting. The program was completed il
two hours and half. Another pleasan
feature was the entire absence of babie
OF the crying variety. Upon the whole
1t has been some time since so success
full commencement has been held b,
the Normal folks and they have reason
to feel proud of last nights work.
AT THE NORMAL