St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1892-06-25
The Closing Exercises Of Opelousas
Female Institute.

There was no public exhibition got
ten up for the school children this
year, but nearly all Of last week was
devoted to their examinations. The
most of the children stood final eyami-
nations; and indeed all were credita-
BILE, while some were perfect, and spoke
well for the ability and patience OF the
teachers. On Thursday the medals
were awarded one for music, from the
teacher, Miss Latour. Three young
ladies, Misses Helen Andrus, Mamie
Randle and Mary Norgrass were about
equally deserving, but on close calcu-
lation as to punctuality and progress
Miss Helen Andrus was deemed the
rightful owner. The medal for gener-
al scholarship was earned by Miss Nita
Burr. The meeting of the Adelphian
Literary Society was most interesting.
The questions propounded and the an
swers given, proved instructive as well
as entertaining. Miss Leola White
asked "Who was Anne Hutchinson,
and when did she preach? ?" Answer
ed "Anne Hutchinson was a woman
of great intellect and piety, who lived
in Massachusetts, Bay Colony the first
of the 18th century. 1t was the GUS
tom OF the men of this colony to as
semble together and discuss the SER
mons preached by the pastors. No
women were admitted to these discus
sions. Finally Anne Hutchinson whose
ability surpassed her sisters, began to
have similar meetings for the women,
At first they confined themselves to
the topics discussed by the men ; but
discussion frightened their minds and
naturally led their thoughts into new
and broader channels. Anne Hutch
inson began to have opinions of her
own. Her hearers were greatly i'm
pressed with her doctrines but as soon
as the men heard of her independence
they raised the cry of heresy against
her, and she was banished. Yes, ban
ished, because she dared express her
ideas to group of women. In that
day woman was not even allowed to
speak to an assembly of her own sex.
The young governor. Sir Henry Vane,
was sympathizer with Anne Hutch
inson, but was powerless to assist her
against the mighty stream of public
opinion Those New Englanders had
come to America to find freedom to
worship Cod but they were unwilling
that Others in their new land should
differ from them in their beliefs and
doctrines, and showing the same spirit
of intolerance that had driven them
from old England, they banished any
who should advocate new ideas. Thus
Anne Hutchinson with a few friends
followed Roger Williams -
Miss Stella Truman asked: "Ought
women to take part in public affairs
and vote?" 1t is matter of regret that
the full text of her answer cannot be
procured. Her position reminded one
of an old riddle about smoke, which
says at is neither in the house nor
out of the house, and yet it is about
the house" She is neither for suffrage
nor against suffrage, yet she is think
ing strongly about suffrage. Her re-
marks We're thoughtful and to the
point; and finally she said "It seems
the women of to-day are beginning to
raise the old revolutionary cry, taxa
ton without representation is unjust,
and down with it ="
Many other questions and answers
we're ereditable; but our article would
prove tedious should we dwell too long
on one point, particularly when the
feast waits. Mrs. Hayes has cause to
be proud of her school this year, and
has fine prospects for the coming ses-
sion. She deserves patronage, and we
hope she will continue to succeed bet
ter and better.
On Friday night the first reunion OF
the Alumna took place at the opera
House. The Alumna number Il, but
many were not present. Mrs. Ida
Chachere took a backward glance at
the Association and found 9 of their
number married, while the Others are
still clancy free" Miss Addie Hum
bic then took up the thread and pain
ted brilliant future for the y single
ones but apparently the 8 married
ones are to have no future-alas, "where
are the nine %
Miss Leola White gave a fine rendi-
tion of .The Chariot Race" taken
from Gen, Lew Wallace's .'Ben Hur.'
1t was indeed pleasure to listen to a
fine piece well and understandingly
rendered. The music by Prof. Mayer
and Miss Latour needs no fulsome com
ment in Opelousas. for we have all beer
under its spell. Mr.. E. st. Elmo Lew,
is addressed the Alumne on the sub
iect of Southern Literature. His ad
dress evinced the literary student Mrs
Pulliam and Miss Stella Truman feel
/ ingly sang duet. Misses Bloch anc
Good played brilliant instrumental
! duet. Mr.. Fitzgerald Parker, of New
Iberia, gave fine sketch of the "Edu
Gated Woman" His talk was replet'
with sense and wit, and we found bu
one fault-its brevity-which was du'
to the lateness of the hour. Last cam,
the song by the Alumne, composed b,
Miss Stella Truman After which th
invited guests repaired to Mrs. Hayes
and enjoyed a sumptuous banquet pre-
pared by that hospitahle lady. Th
) toasts were witty and sparkling. Mis-
L. White acted as toast-master. Il
the wee sma' hours the merry thronl
separated, wishing their entertainer
many and augmented reunions. Il.
) ola 10 .,<,,-c, Far aIo af fh5c nffica