Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-22
NEGRO AND INDIAN.
ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT or THE
HAMPTON NORMAL SCHOOL,
The Work Done for tho Two Races Mt the
Institute--The Indian orsduates--
Delivery OF Diplomas.
rspoe,a, ,c,eeram 70 the plspa,ch.I

Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch.l
HAMPTON, Va, May q. THE annual COM
mencemcnt exercises took place at the
Normal School to-day, and as usual there
was number of visitors In attendance.
The forenoon was taken up with class ex-
ercises and exhibitions of students handi-
work in different buildings. A fine show
ing was made. At noon n lunch Yves
spread for a large number OF invited
guests. When the exercises commenced in
the spacious gymnasium IL was filed 20
overlooking. On the platform were seated
tho trustees and many other distinguished
guests.
The programme consisted Of orig NAL oesays by
sfndcnts isomo OF Thorn lndians) and former stu
cents. They showed careful preparation and
familiarity with She subjects treated. The music
r. always a feature OF the OCCASION, consisting
mainly Of plantation songs A poem composed
by Helen W. Ludlow. for Indian Citiseuship.
Day." and Get 10 music, was sung by the Indiauf
and enjoyed very much by the audience.
TER GRADUATES.
Tho diplomas 10 the graduating class were
presented by DIR. Strilby, OF the Board OF Trus-
tees. Tho class numbered thirty-hvc, sevon OF
whom were Indians, the largest class OF Indians
that have graduated at one time at this school
Sixteen tribes were represented In the schoo'
this year.
IN PINE CONDITION
The various reports show the schooi 10 be In q
fine condition IN all respects.
At tho conclusion OF tho programme quite 2
number OF speeches were made by distinguished
visitors
Tho Institution.
One of the largest and most unique in
stitutions of the country held its twenty
third anniversary exercises on thursday, says "a
correspondent of IL Philadelphia ITess Neither
the Hampton Normal and Agricultural institute
at Hampton, Va, nor Its principal, General y u
Armstrong needs an introduction 70 those int
rested In the work for the negro ana lndlan
races. Starting IN 1868 with fifteen pupils ana
two teachers IL has enrolled the past year oou
student boardors-of whom 132 are indians
and has mustered teaching force OF eignty ON
GERS and Instructors Three hundred day puplls
OF the Walter School swell the total 70 ovel
1000 az this institute. Twenty states eno eigh
foreign countries are represented.
Government pays for the support OF 1.O IN
dams. In addition 20 this number from tweiv'
70 twenty have been maintained yearly Dy
charity. or, as In a few instances, have support
cd themselves. Their tuition IN either case u
provided by annual scholarships OF $40 it9u
northern friends. The roal value OF the WORK 10
the Indian Is shown by the record OF the return
ed students, nine-tenths OF whom have ON TN
whole proved satisfactory.
The EASTERN TRAINING.
The Messiah craze and the Sioux war hay'
emphasized in marked way the value OF ~
Hampton students az homo during the excite
ment but one Joined even the dances so Tar a.
can be known. This alone would prove the sue
cess of Indian education.
The missionary spirit which has always been
prominent feature at Hampton has lately ioun'
expression In new hospital, designed 10 MIN
fster, not 20 the needs Of the Students (who ar
already provided with ample medlcal Iacllltles)
but TO the poorer classes Of the surroundin
country. The tasteful building Is nearing com
pletion and will furnish accommodation ior
trimming school for cOlored nurses.
The anniversary exercises OF Heinpton opel
IL the morning with the iLspectiOnIof the cade
battalion, In charge Of n coor/d graduate
Classes are then visited ana the TJrksh0ps AM
Industries examined by the uu/ees and man
friends and guests.
The afternoon is occupied by rhetorical ant
musical exercise in the immense gymnasium
The salutatOran this year Is An Indian girl, VINO
Hand" gives a vivid picture of Indian wretched
ness and wrong, n personal reminiscence oil In
Custer massacre.
NEGRO STUDENTS.
self-help is the idea that comes 20 the front I'm
der Hampton training, as eyinccd by such title
TO the commencement essays "a "Our Progress
and Our Problem" etc. The yaledictory Is de
liyered by a young negro from Gloucester coqn
~, who, under the suggestive theme, II Cel
Dig!p presents the manly, independent position
Of the Intelligent Afro-American Of to-day.
Plantation melodies vary the exercises SUM
bv a chorus Of over 600 voices. The universe
character and aim Of the institution could not D.
more fOrcibly illustrated than by " Hampton
Glrdle Round the World a rendering Of tnei
peculiar race-songs by tho representatives Q
eight natiOnalites, I'm their appropriate cor
tunes, and the comforting OF the diplomas close
the course at Hampton Of thirty-siX new Worker
who go out into LIES fold.