Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-06-21
THE RICHMOND NORMAL SCHOOL.
A full Account of the Exercises.

The First Baptist Church was
packed Friday night, 18th inst, to
suffocation. The occasion was the
twenty-third annual commencement
OF the Richmond Normal School.
White musicians furnished music on
the piano, violin and cornet. On the
rostrum were Mayor j. Taylor Ely
son, Aldermen Phillips and Capers,
Rev. James Ii. Holmes, Senator Low
enstein, Supt- w. +. Fox, Col. John
B. Cary, J.. A. Nc Gilyray.
/ 1'he address OF welcome wasdeliVer-
ed by Robert l. Mosby His voice
was well suited and he seemed to feel
all he said and to be perfectly at ease
in its delivery.
A fine essay entitled "Politeness"
was read by Miss Mary III. Robinson.
1.-The Brakeman at Church" a hu-
morous selection, was read by Chas.
w. Robinson.
| "Woman's Influence" an excellent
essay, was read by Miss Laura b.
Lewis. Her enunciation was fine, de-
livery pleasing. She captivated
those present.
"Good Night, Papa" was well read
by Miss Mary NJ. Jackson. Her de-
livery was good, voice clear. ''Not
Half has Ever Been Told" was sung
by Miss Mary Wilder. Never has
her voice given forth more charming
sweetness. She was assisted by a
chorus of the students. Glow we
Hunted a Mouse" a humorous selec-
tion, was well rendered, to the infin-
ite satisfaction of all present.
/ The valedictOry, an excellent pro-
duction, was admirably delivered by
Miss Moselle Coots.
An address was delivered by Rev.
Jesse T. Whitley. he said that he
! had been pleasantly surprised He
was glad TO see the blessings being
bestowed upon both white and black
alike. He stated that to be educat-
ed aud wise was not by any means
the same. He would speak on GLOW
TO be Wise Though Educated 4"
"Don't put education in place of
common-sense. The mistake is
made that the education of the
schools is substituted for common
sense. There are educated fools and
uneducated Solons. If man who
has graduated from the High School
is ashamed TO black his own boots,
he is a fool as well as a scholar. A
young woman who comes from a col
lege and is ashamed to 90 into the
kitchen and prepare a meal or wash
the dishes, she has made mistake
and disdains TO do what some OF the
most influential women in the world
have DONE"
His remarks were a treat. He
enunciated broad principles and was
deservedly encored. The colored peo
pie of this city and state will always
be ready To hear him.
An address was delivered by Mr..
Miles B. Jones. His language was
choice, interspersed here and there
with poetic selections. The advice
was appropriate and highly instruc
= tive.
The Peabody Medals were present
ed by Mr. j. A. Nc. GilYray to Mat
tie g. Willis, BERTHE Fox, Jesse Hard
away; honorable mention, Benjamin
Taylor. The w. H. Anderson Media
for bookkeeping was awarded Jer
denia E. Henley; honorable mention
mdJllt n. w HIS anu w dlldCS OnTlS
: tian. The diplomas were then con
: ferred upon the graduates by Mayor
j. Taylor Ellyson, who by his cour
teous bearing seemed to be rising il
7. favor with all classes, irrespective o
l color.
He complimented the assemblagC
; ; upon the order, announced that h,
! presumed the fathers and mother
of the graduates TO be the happies
persons present.
The following is list of the gradu
l ates;
e February, 1890: Robert F. Dab
ney, John L. Harris, Percy C. Nun
y din, Barbara +. Coleman, Lizzie A
e Gaines, Mary H. Robinson, Alice O
-, Sparks, Matte c. Tinsley; June
!, 1890: Gertrude ID. Lawrence, Octa
via M. l.. Patterson, Susie Jackson
:, Emma G.. Evans, NJ Elizabeth HaI
ris, Annie E. Brooks, Matte G. Wi
e lis, Lizzie C. Valentine, H. Belle Fit,
; hugh, Emma F. Taylor, Laura L
) Lewis, Olivia c. Oliver, Maggie j
:, Macklin, Lucy J. Brown, Moselle
u Coots, Katie G. Robinson, Wet ori
J. B. Powell, Wallace B. Christian
, Phyllis A. Burton, George A. Harris
= Jerdenia E. Henly, S. Gertrud
X Evans.
= Benediction was announced
10 Rev. James H. Holmes.
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