Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-06-02
They Start.
Class Of '92 Composed of
Six Bright Graduates.
Opera House Fails to Furnish Room
for the Many Interested in the
Class's Welfare.


enter the track and take his position before
the Judges stand ready to make the race
that will establish his record, SO do six of
Napoleon's young people after course of
10 years at the Union Schools enter life in
reality and take their places before the eyes
of the world to battle with trials and vicis-
situdes that make up the average citizens
existence.
There was no lack of audience to witness
the commencement exercises last Thursday
evening at the Rink Opera House. In fact
many were compelled to remain at home
owing to misunderstanding, or misar-
rangement, in reserving seats.
"The Ideal" was the subject upon which
Frank Rose talked. He discussed ideality in
both man and material matter. citing for
the former, from his standpoint, Alex
ander Hamilton while in the latter the Wis.
ionary Utopia was the only thing in sight, or
rather "out of sight"
Miss Della May Lightheiser in an inter
esting Grafton, delivered in modest, yet
convincing way, compared progress and
patriotism showing that although they were
at times in our history identical, such was
not always so. To bear out her argument
she drew vivid pictures of our late war
and the intense patriotism that caused it,
and then was no less argumentative in prov
ing the utter stand-still if not retrogression
to which we were subjected in its enact
ment. Her oration was much applauded, as
it well merited, being one far beyond the
ordinary and bespeaking for the composer
the claim to thought of more mature age.
In the oration Paying too dear for the
Whistle" Arthur Harrison gave his
hearers some sound advice in putting
a just appraisement on what we strive for,
so that in its possession We will not be prone
to harbor the uncomfortable thought that we
paid too dear, which thought never fails to
rob US of the anticipated pleasure and salts
faction, He held, however, that "pursuit is
always more pleasing than possession" }" and
all through life we are liable to lament,
thinking that we have not received Just
what we bargained for. Arthur is good
speaker and he commanded and maintained
the attention of his audience.
Henry Rohrs' effort with the subject "Who
would be if we're not myself" was not a
surprise to his many friends, as he has long
born the reputation of deep thinker. The
oration was a scholarly one, not only cloth
ed in lofty language but advancing some
praiseworthy sentiment.
Miss Mor, Mayau ,1;otrroJ ,rstt, hon,l.ezI
illustrations, the "Charms and fairy faith"
of our people. She held that fairy faith in
the child is but a harbinger of what is more
or less developed in the adult under the
name of "charm''; we are all to a certain de-
gree believers in charm of some kind which
is of an iintuitive nature and should not
be criticised Her address was pleasing
throughout.
Those who occupied the audience room
were loud in praise of the oration Loop
back the curtain" by Luther f. Donahey.
As the subject indicates, it was of valedic-
torian nature and most ably and gracefully
did he acquit himself. Luther is a natural
orator and his oration which was boquet
of words with logic as a basis, was one we'll
adapted to manifest his ratorical ability.
As the speech progressed, he lost sight of
the fact that this was his maiden speech and
to the lar lest house ever assembled in Ma
poleon, and threw his whole heart and soul
into the desire to carry the listeners with
him. 1t was the universal opinion that in
modulation of voice, gesture and convincing
manner the speaker was decided success
Hon. j. V. Cuff in words of kindness and
we'll wishes. in behalf of the board of which
he is president, presented the diplomas of
graduation.
The exercises we're opened and closed with
prayer by Rev. Balmer. Music was furnish
ed by vocal quartette composed of Misses
Mayme Wilson and Amelia Groll, Messrs.
Emery and Guyer, and a cornet solo by
Prof. Fred. j. Adams, Miss Knupp, accom-
panist.