The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-16
THE CLOSING EXERCISES.
NUMEROUS swBEr-GIRL GRADUATES
Tho High school and Several Private Instf-
tutsons Close Their Sessions With
Public Ceremonies.

Richmond whose burning desire is to become
q graduate Of the public schools. IL is an
honor which they car only attain to through
a course Of bard and painstakng study, and
has come 10 be acknowledged an honor ex-
allied enough TO command the pride Of any who
attain 20 IL.
In 1892 there are seventy-eight graduates
and thirty-three post graduates. These re-
ceivcd their medals and diplomas at the
eighteenth annual commencement exercises
OF this school at the Mozart Academy last
evening and the scene was one OF the pretti-
est aud most inspiring of all such occasions.
The stage was particularly well arranged.
All OF tho scenery was removed, giving a very
large and ample sDace for the graduates and
teachers Nearly four hundred chairs We're
accommodated on the stage. and by neat
snd ingenious arrangement platforms were
extended from the pr0scenium boxes over
the orchestra pit giving prominent position
and ample space 10 Che members OF the School
Board.
or GREAT INTEREST.
No event which regularly occurs in Rich
mund concerns so many Of the best citllons
and deeply concerns so many persons AZ one
aud the same time as the closing exercises OF
the Richmond High School
AS early as 8 o'clock last evening numbers
of persons were requesting admission % the
Mozart Academy and the doors had 10 be
closed before that hour IN order q keep the
building from being filed before the time APP
pointed.
AtG o'clock. when the doors were finally
opened q crowd was IN waiting and by tho
time the hour for the exercises arrived the
audience was one that would have greatly
olated the manager on q theatrical night. In
deed considering the enlarged sltungs AZ
forded los the arrangements previously re-
ferred 90 10 ~ doubtful II there WAS ever quite
SO large an audience III the building before.
Ihe.stage settings enhanced the ever lovely
combination of beautiful flowers and lovely
youth. A stand ten feet high in the centre
rear was made into % magnificent bower by
tie masses f baskets and bouquets of splen-
did flowers with which II was loaded and
served an appropriate background to the
array Of sweet and pretty girl gradu-
ates. These Were hanked on either
side by the moro sober colorng
presented by the groups of school trustees
aud distinguished gentlemen visitors, and the
large audience presented "a scene Of brilliant
cOlOIing and movement as they kept IN
motion the heated air with ceaseless beats of
q thousand fans. Tier on tier OF eager IN
terested faces above pretty costumes OF light
summer fabrics wrought "a picture OF strong
effect and great beauty.
Such profusion of floral rarites is seldom
seen. and the bank of baskets, which formed
"a bulwark above the foOtlghts, almost OBJ
selrel the rows of maiden beauty, behind
which was right royal decoration.
The Blues band ID full force enliyened the
evening with choice selections.
Besides the senior classes on the stage q
large part of the main floor was occupied by
the junior scholars OF the same school
THE ExERcIsLs.
Superintendent Julian p. Thomas. OF the
High School. presided over the exercises.
The marching OF the classes 10 their places
was accompanied with some counter move
meufs which made a very pretty effect. The
exercises commenced at $50 with an overture
by tbe band The programme opened with
very clever essay, entitled the Twelve Sla-
ters by Miss Lloyd Bass, which was de-
hverod without manuscript with grace and
spirit.
This was followed by an original grafton
br Willie Crawford on Southern Heroes"
IN which were many graceful sentiments that
received very hearty applause. The gradu-
afing class then sung The Bellies with a
great deal of expression and beauty. This
vas followed by a song IN German by the
class in that language which was also rem
uered in splendid style.
Miss Lottie Hartman then in her most ap-
WoCiative rendition of the humOr in the dis
cussl0n Of the question in The Debatin'
s. clety' as 70 the ownership OF a certain WA
termelOn was highly enjoyed and greeted
with much well-merlted applause.
Mr. Thomas very briefly and appropriately
introduced Rev. Dr. +. n Calisch, rabbi OF
Beth Ataba synagogue. who delivered the
hacculaureate address. The address was lis
tened % with deep interest aud received
frequent applause. Dr. Cahschs speech is as
follows
THE ORATOR.
MI Chairman Ladies and Gentlemen,-It
is with profound sense of the great honor
conferred upon me that / step before you 10
present my humble efforts On Tho Public
Schools of our country. Conscious of the
fact that there are 90 many interested IN this
subject and this occasion. knowing that there
are 50 many older, ADLER and worthier than
myself who might have been called on TO
address you. recognizing the deep impOr-
lance Of this hour 10 those who this night |
shall sever their connection with the halcyOn
days of school life, / am grateful indeed that |
this distinction shall have been mine
There Is no institution ia our country
which represents more truly the strength /
thereof than Its public schools. They are the /
cornerstone OF the nation on which and by /
means of which She has built the glorious /
structure ST her unparalleled achievements !
They are the great beating heart Of the land |
whence ls pulsed forth year after year the /
throbbing life current OF character and |
knowledge, whose benign influence WHITES /
each mlnutest capillary of the tremendous !
body polite. II was military foreign /
CT who, when looking over the /
land asked. Where are your ramparts |
aud fortresses:" The answer given was an |
oak ia AN acorn. There" replied his guide |
pointing TO the little log schoolhouse, there
arc orr forts" And stronger ones more /
formidable and more invulnerable never ex- /
listed Europe may tremble beneath the \
tread OF her weaponed warriors The great
standing armies may eat the bread out of the |
mouths OF the peasants Of Austria. Russia,
Germany and France. The strength of Eng- /
land may rest within the wooden walls Of /
her navy America has her public schools
and needs no more.
EDUCATED CITIZENS.
The American believes in the citizen being /
educated If no is 20 be a competent citizen !
The republic is founded on the intelligence /
OF is citizens. aud its continuity depends ab-
soldtelY on their being educated. Therefore |
the State takes this vital matter in hand as |
measure OF self preservation. The sentiment /
ms expressed by Chancellor Kent is the cor /
rect one The parent who sends his son into /
the world uneducated deiraud5 the Common /
wealth Of a citizen. and bequeaths TO 1t a nui-
sance." 10 is this belief which has founded |
aud which maintained the public schools.
But there is one element that Is absolutely |
necessary 10 tho healthy existence Of the
schools j. c.. they shall be pl,bfc schools.
This means two things, first that they shall
be essentially and completely under the con-
tool of the public and secular authorities.
and second they shall be maintained, upheld