Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-06-05

The annual examination exercises which
begun at the Naval Academy on Monday
last were brought TO close at noon to-
day. Notwithstanding the gloom and
threatening appearance Of the weather,
and the cool atmosphere. from the eff.
fects of the heavy rain storm of the night
before. hundreds of persons gathered in
the Academy grounds to see the closing
exercies The ceremonies started at IL
O'Clock in the Chapel. but long before
that hour numbers of ladies, with and
without escorts were promenading
through the grounds dressed In becom-
ing toilets. Among them was sand
witched the cadets, while here and there
could be seen members of the Academy
staff clothed in the snowy full dress uni
forms and chapeau. As soon as the
Chapel doors were thrown open. the
masses began to pour in and every availa-
BILE pew In the little chapel was soon fill
ed with the chosen few.
Promptly at 1890 A. NJ, the call to
form was made, and the battalion Of ca
diets fed from the armory and marched
in front of the chapel. The Board of
Visitors sauntered leasurely along past
the battalion and entered the chapel, af-
ter which the cadets followed. the grad
yates taking seats In front of the chap
ell. The remaing benches were filed
with citizens. On the dias In the chan
eel, sat Superintendent Phythian, assis-
tant secretary Solely, the Board of Visit
ors. Chaplain Clark and a number of la
dies. AT the tap of the Superintendent
the audience came to order and Chaplain
Clarke offered prayer. Then Captain
Phythian introduced the orator to the
graduates, DR.. Geo w. Atherton, presi-
dent of the Pennsylvania State College,
Bellefonte, Pa, who said in part
s'Gentlemen of the Naval Academy
on behalf of the Board of Visitors it Is
my honorable and pleasant duty to adj
dress you to-day, and especially to speak
particularly to the members of the grad
uating class. The Board or Visitors
represent the House of Representatives.
the Senate and the Executive Depart
ment of the United States. Iwould that
] might speak to you for these great
branches. / speak from the civilian side
to the military. You are the children of
the nation particularly--the sons of the
government. 1t came to your homes; it
brought you here and placed you in this
splendid school to educate you for
special work. You are the right arm of
a free country. In olden times a nation
was an organization of force. In our
country 1t is a reservation of forces
John Quincy Adams said: Our constitu-
tion was adopted for people in love with
the arts of peace; but all its energies
were in reserve for war Every student
of history knows how that goes to the
heart of the nation. AS the lightning
In the storm shows the reservation of
natures forces let loose, so is IL with
free people. It's forces are reserved, and
when the time comes all its energies are
provoked.
"There Is also another relation with
which the United States holds TO the
American continent. All men who
study the history of nations cannot fail
to see that all through 1t one eternal
purpose runs The thought and institu
tions of men are widened with the pro
cesses of time There has been, from
the remctest time, the struggle of the
masses upward against power; for the
right to act and speak freely, and to
make the most of themselves. That
thought has found practical result in the
United States.
In conclusion the speaer said II see
here magnificent institution, the eyno-
sure of all eyes, and so ought you to
live at the light Of that inspection, and
there is no good life without an honest
heart within, and any lurking wrong
viii bring its reward.
"Some of the older institutions have
brought down hazing and tagging, but
they have largely disposed themselves of
it. I wish that this institution would
rid itself not only of this, but of all other
medieval customs. The army and navy
express the will of the country. You
take no part In politics. You must,
however, have convictions Under no
ought you to raise your
hand against the flag that has raised and
nurtured you. (Applause.) There Is no
separation between personal and official
duty, and there is no true life that does
not take the spiritual forces into consid-
Grafton. The man who does not bring
himself In contact with them-who does
not get into these high regions = has not
put himself on sound anchorage. Unless
a man has TO himself his own will, aud
by contact with the spiritual forces, that
mans life Is a failure. pray that you
may not only fulfill the idea / have set
before you, but that you may be an hon
or TO yourselves, your friends. your
country, but that you may have anchor
age in the great eternal forces that gov-
ern the universe" applause
THE DIPLOMAS AWARDED.
After the Grafton the cadets resumed
their arms and marched to the band
stand, where the diplomas were awarded.
As sson a. they were under arms, Lieu
tenant Fullam marched them of with
the band In the lead playing I am so
glad I'm out Of the wilderness" which
seemed to fit appropriately the cadet
graduates. The battalion maneuysred
on VIE lawn In front Of the stand for
several minutes at dress parade. Then
coming to parade rest the band struck
up .Hsme. Sweet Home" drifting into
"Auld Lang Syne," during tn playing
OF which the musicians marched down
the line Of cadets with slow step. Max