Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-16
HlGH-SCH00LH H0N0RS
The MOST BRILLIANT COMMENCE
MENT EVER SEEN HERE.
Boauty-Oration by DIR. Caiisch-Pre-
sentation of Medals. Diplomas, &c.

I
|
The largest audience that has perhaps
ever assembled in the Academy of Music
| attended tho commencement exercises OF
the High School there last night. Sweet
girl graduates" were present by scores.
and the gathering was one of the most
brilliant that have assembled in Rich
mond In recent years. II is estimated that
there were at least $500. people in the
house.
Long before the hour set for the begin
ning OF the programme the playhouse was
| literally packed. The orchestra floor.
| winch was occupied in part by the scholars
| OF the lower grades, was crowded almost
| beyond conception, while IN the two gal
ieries there was scarcely an available inch
OF space. Hundreds Of pretty maids clad
IN spot.ess white could be seen on every
SIDE. and the interior of the theatre, viewed
from distance, presented o sea OF faces.
ABEAUTIFUL PICTURE.
The stage was beautifully set and as
| nearly all the scenery had been taken out
| rs seating capacity was greatly increased.
| In the rear was huge pyramid of flowers
| IL feet high, which was composed OF the
| baskets sent TO the graduates and others.
| just behind the footlights and reaching to
| the proscenium- boxes on each side there
| was a solid wall of blossoms. at least feet
| high. This was also made up of the fiow
ors received by the young ladies'.
Ihe graduates and post-gfaduates, 122
| IN all, occupied seats upon the platform,
aud as the happy boys and pretty girls
marched upon the stage they presented
| beautiful picture. Among the wel-knOwn
citizens IN attendance were Mayor Ely
| son, chairman of the School Board. and
| the following members of the body: Hon.
| William Loyensten. MessTs. A. B. Guigon.
| y l.. Phillips. T.. ~. Starke, L. Wiley
! DAVIS, Il. L. Shine. j. Ii. Capers and j. {.
! Dlckerson. Several other gentlemen who
are prominently connected with educa-
| tlonal work were in attendance, among
them Hon. L. +. Campbell. president Of
| the Common Council; Hon. II. II. Pollard,
| Mr.. William +. Fox, superintendent of
| schools Mr.. q. =. Rady. supervisor of
schools; Colonel John B. Cary, and Mr..
". VI. Iurpin.
Mr.. Julian p. Thomas. the principal of
the High School, presided, and under his
sklfui direction the programme was car
RED out without hitch. Excellent music
was furnished by the Blues Band.
ESSAY oS TIE TWELVE SISTERS.
At $50 o'clock Mr.. Thomas introduced
Miss Lloyd Bass. one Of the June graduates,
who read an original essay on Twelve
tArAtiN -- bhf l4Oulu~ Ot AN' Nfbt. il'i
SUBJECT was handled III q mastery man.
| ner and the paper was read IN excellent
style. The essay was replete with appro-
pirate quotations, which showed the
speakers familiarity with standard works
of literature and her taste IN their selec-
ton. 1t was indeed a silver prose" COM
position and well merited the applause II
won. When Miss Bass resumed her seat
she was handed a beautiful basket of
NnWfrg Whfrl nTgEpnfgI t0 her DE
the Board Of Directors of the Richmond
Perpetual Loan and Trust Company. Her
father. the late Lucien H. Bass, was one OF
the presidents of the company.
The original Grafton on Southern
Heroes" delivered by Willie Crawford,
struck popular chord III the hearts OF the
audience. and the speaker was frequently
appmuded. His composition was an ex-
celent one and showed careful study and
deep historical research.
The recitation of The Bells" by the
post graduate class was striking example
of what can be accomplished by careful
training IN the art of elocutiOn.
Twenty bows and girls selected from the
German classes sung a very pretty little
song IN the original.
The Debatin' Society," an exceedingly
humorous selection, which was rendered
by Miss LOttle Hartman, put the audience
IN an excellent humor. Miss Hartman's
ability is well known to the pubic and
last night she acquitted herselfin unusually
good style.
GRAFTON BY DIR. CALIsCH.
The orator Of the evening, DR.. f. n.
Calsch, was introduced by Dir. Thomas.
who alluded in appropriate language 10
the ability of the speaker.
Dr.. Cansch, after expressing his appreciation
of fbe high uonor conferred upon him IN his se-
4 lection a the orator of the evening. said
! .Thore Is no institution in our country which
represents more truly the strength thereof than
| its public schools. They are the cornerstone Of
| tho nation on which and by means oi which she
has built the glorious structure OF her unpafai-
| Ieled achievements They are the great beat
Ing heart of the land whence rs pulsed forth year
after year tho thrObbing life-current OF charac-
| ter and knowledge, whose benign influence yiyi-
| nes each minutest capillary OF the tremendous
| boiy polite Il was military foreigner who,
when looking over the lani. asked, Where are
| your ramparts and fOrtreases?' The answer
| given was an oak In an acorn. There, replied
MS guide pointing TO the little log schooi-hou-e
there are our forts, aud stronger ones. more ioi-
midahle. aud more iuyulnerable never existed
EQrope may trem0lc beneath tho tread oi her
weaponed warriors The great standing armies
may eat the bread out OF the mouths OF the pea
sants OF Austria, Russia, Germany ana France.
| The strength Of England may rest within the
wocien walls OF her navy. America has her
| public schools and needs no more'
MUST DE PUBLIC
! Tho orator declared that the American be-
ueves IN the ci tizcn being educated, strongly en-
| dorsed the sentiment Of Chan cellor Kent that
| "the parent VINO sends his son into the world
| uneducated defrauds the commonwealth OF
| citizen and beIueaths 10 II nuisancs," aud laid
| down the proposition that our s,hools must be
| upbtc ii they are TO enjoy "A healthy existence.
| rhis, he said means two things-hrst, tha, they
| snail be essentially and completely under the
| contro Of the public and secular authorities;
| and second, they shall be maintained, upheld,
and supported by thc puOhc' hOidHy "a wen hs
materially.
Tnlarging upon these points DR.. Calsch earn
esty and eiOquently protested against the intro
| dncton of religious in-traction OF any Kind IN
| the pubic schools, and with equal emphasis
| ursed that they should be supported ana pa
! tronized 10y ali the people.
All college a. the bar OF Justice. in the church,
in social relations" the speaker.contnuei. the
| favorite OF fortune gains recognition Otten IN
| merited. Even at the banol-Oox wealth has
| only too great power. But In the schools the
! lines are not yet drawn. Here, In truth, there Is
! no roval road 20 knowledge The child OF the
| hod-carrier and the child OF the millionaire may
| sit on tho same bench. The son ol the cObDier
| NAV thrash tho son OF the rich man Tor whpm
| his fsfher cobples rags rub elbows with silks,
| tottered caps hang on the nah beside velvet
| onee, and torn shoes often lead patent-ieathets
up the rugged hill OF learning. Nowhere Is i' .ne
| perfect equality, the true democracy oil our gov
| ornment 30 plainly shown"
| T0THE GRADUATES.
1
| speech TO the graduating class, who III taking
tins formal farewell Of school life were, he said,
| but .ommencing Il longer, stronger, and broader
| life Ia which they would stop nom the gentle
| guidance of loving teachers 10 the tasks oil the
| ssyerest ta-kmasioTs and Do compelled 70 travel
| ON paths not hcwed out for them, but which must
| be cut by the toll Of their own right arms in
| life no said, ''the shortest pain % perfection
| and happiness is the straight path-the path OF
| rectitude and integrity. Let your footsteps III
| mis- path DO irIn. The mathematical hno Is
| nard and sharp, and has NO graceful curves or
| bends. 80 this path OF rectitdde, TINS straight
| line OF life may seem at times hard and sharp
! and uninyiting. 1t may have no lux urious by
| avs OF pleasures and gains, no bealtifui Dend-
| ines OF plant conscience no soitening curves Oi
nleasant vices II II hard stony plain, and sharp,
nut along It's straight course you can see TAR Tar
| ahead into the future OF happiness; ana from
H. ninty rocks you can learn tha, adamantine
conrage that Will enable you TO from ali dlnicui-
| ties and nght your way through all obstacles
| The orators peroraton was exceedingly
| nrctty and his entire address was received with
marked favor and freely punctIrod with ap-
| plause.
| MEDALS AWARDED.
The medal given by the Central Woman's
/ 7 IL. a..