The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-21
In HONOR OF COLUMBUS.
THE OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY IN
THE SCHOOLS.


Essays Recitations and Debates Upor
the 4ooth Anniversary Of Americas
Discovery-Oolumbus Worth De
preciated and His Zeal Defended By
Opposing Sidos IN the High School
Debate-CoL MERGERS Address-The
Exercises at the Henry Street. School
A good portion of the time IN all the pub
lie schools yesterday was devoted to Co
lunbus and his discovery OF America.
There were lectures by the teachers and es-
says, reoitations and readings by the pupils.
Outside of honoring the memory OF Co.
lumbus, the Observance was of great value
in bringing the ohIldren's minds TO a wider
knowledge Of the great discoverer and the
important results attending it, and causing
them 60 study and inqu ire fer themselves
into the subject. 1t was good means Of
fixing the historic Importance OF the SUBJ
1eot In their minds.
The observance In all the schools was
very simple. At the high school the pupils
gathered in Hunter hall at 1880 O'Clock.
Principal Train was master Of ceremonies,
Supt. Baker being absent from tRs city.
AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The exercises consisted of original papers
upon Columbus and his discovery. by the
young ladies Of the Arnold Society and the
young gentlemen OF the Mercer Debating
Society. The representatives Of the Arnold
Society were Misses Marie Furrer, Sallie
Cabaniss and Georgia Cope, and OF the
Mercer society Edwin Ryals, Percy Baker,
Harry Floyd and Herbert Kayton.
Miss Marie Furrer gave she IT biograph-
zeal sketch Of Columbus.
Miss Sallie Cabanlss extolled Queen
lea halIa ky.a
voyage OF discovery possible, AID incident
ally dwelt upon the fundamentally Of
women in all great human enterprises.
Miss Georgia Cope told of the benefits re-
sulting from the discovery by Columbus by
the opening up of two vast continents for
human enterprise and research.
The young ladies were all the recipients
Of liberal applause, which their efforts we'll
deserved.
THE Boys DEBATE.
Edwin Ryals was the first speaker on the
part Of the boys, and distinguished himself
by his oratorioal eRert IN describing the life
and character Of Cslutnbus. He pictured
the hardships undergone by the explorer
his triumphant success and bis ignominious
reward The character Of the explorer was
extolled ia the highest terms.
Percy Baker described the voyages Of
Columbus and PRAISED the perseverance end
AosoA iuhiutASh "a JIC o6pl0foE u1O6F Oil ClrS
cumstanees.
Harry Floyd, as had been agreed upon,
took the opposite side of the question and
gave Columbus such a scoring as would
have delighted the hearts of any of the old
enemies OK the discoverer. Columbus was
pictured as a monument of deceit and dis
stimulation, making pretense OF religion for
the purpose OF gaining his ends, aad having
no other object In view than per-
aNual avalkatfrK,
His ignominious end was beld to be the Just
reward Of his own avarice and ambition.
Mr.. Floyd said Columbus discovered only
an island, which he could not govern, but
there was an IrishMaR aboard bis ship who
discovered America, which the Irish have
ruled ever since.
A DEFENSE OF COLUMBUS.
Herbert Kayton answered Floyd ana de-
Tended Columbus, holding that the dissimu-
lation prncticed by him was justified by the
end IN view and the circumstances and
superstitions Of the times. Columbus de-
sire fer wealth and power he held to be
justihable In man who had opened such
an important territory to civilization.
At the conclusion OF the addresses Mr..
Train introduced Col. George A. Mercer,
president of the beard of education, who
made brief address upon the general topic
Col Mercer remarked that it is 400 years
since Columbus discovered the new world,
and behold the vast change since that time
Look at the great accomplishments of this
country Ia the scarcely mere than cent
ury Of existence. Col, Mercer told the
high school pupils that Columbus discovery
made possible this great republic, the
greatest and most glorious country upon
earth, which, notw outstanding il had been
torn by war and dissension, Is now enc re-
united country. There are none, he said,
who can but feel 9 pride ia being a citizen
OF such country. Col. MERGERS speech
was loudly applauded.
AT THE HENRY STREET SCHOOL,
The Henry Street school had the most
elaborate programme Of any Of the Schools
as was proper in the school begun in the
4Oeth year of Columbus discovery Of
America. 1t was the only school building
In the city that was decorated.
Flags were suspended from every
window. Columbus route was illus
| trated upon tho blackboard, as was also
A programme had been prepared fer the
occasion The exercises began at 1890
O'clock, and the following essays and recita-
items were given: Composition, Julia
Crowly; "On and On" Bessie Conway -;
1882 Laura Dwelle; "ChristOpher Co.
lumbus." Anna Guerard, "a Piece of Red
Cloth, LOWE Green; "First 20 Greet c.
luAeues Aasenhh L EltCnArui second NoY-
age Of Columbus" Hortsnse Woodruff
Columbus Dying" Lillian Manuoy; com
position. Eugene Thompson; lode to Colum-
bus" La Fills Arnold; composition, Minnie
Lenoir.
The songs "Flag of Our Nation" and
america" were sung by the children.
The esEays and recitations were good and
the programme was carried out success
fully.
At the other schools the pupils simply
gathered in the larger class rooms aud
listened to ROTATIONS and speeches upon Col
umbus. Principal O'Brisa lectured TO the
larger pupils at the Cathedral school and the
teachers read to their classes sketches OF
the history Of Columbus and his voyages.
THE PRO1a TO-nAv