The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-06-09
GRADUATING EXERCISES.
The High School Turns Out a
Strong Class of Fifteen
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Short Synopses of the Thought
full Orations Delivered by
the Graduates.


was the best in every respect
that ever graduated from the
school. 1t was unusually large and
the members were more than Ordinar
lily matured in thought as shown by
the high character of their produc-
lions, delivered upon the stage.
The class is composed of the follow
ing members:
Latin course-W Willard A. Barney,
Lillian l. Blake, William G. Clark,
Daisy M. Garvin, Corinne G. Jacoby,
Albert r. Pfau, Edwin T. Roblee,
Samuel G. Schmitt, Flora Schroeder,
Lizzie E. Thomas, Carrie e. Williams.
English course-Mertie M. Graham,
Emma Kohler, Gustav II. Ludtke,
Myra Mobiles.
The class occupied the right of the
stage, and the Board of Education
and High school faculty the left. In
the rear was the chorus.
The floral decorations were beauti-
full and filed the boxes, while hand
some flowers were placed on either
side of the stage. Above the stage
hung large Greek cross bearing the
initials of the class motto, "NultG Yes
tiqia RetrOrsun. The whole scene
was very attractive one, as the cur
tain rolled up at promptly eight
o'clock. The opera house was crowd
ed and standing room was occupied.
Each of the speakers made grace
full appearance on the stage and spoke
with ease and confidence, showing the
results of good training.
The exercises were opened by
an invocation by Rev. A. r. Tay-
lor.
The large High school chorus, under
the accomplished leadership of Miss
Florence E. Soule, stepped forward
and sang Bridal Chorus from Rose
Maiden" This chorus comprised
about forty voices and in its execu-
tion left nothing to be desired.
Edwin T. Roblee gave an grafton on
"Orlgin of Man." preluding his speech
with a well wondered salutatory in
which he welcomed the audience and
spoke Of the reasons why the public
schools deserve the support of all Cit
liens. He asked bis hearers to be
lenient in their judgment of the eff
forts of the speakers. Taking up the
subject of his grafton, he referred to
the various theories of the origin OF
mankind. He did not place any reli-
ance upon Darwinism, and showed the
objections to it. All human expert
ence showed that the characteristics
of species do not change, Domestica-
tion produces no permanent new
types. The missing link" has not
been found and until it is, it is I'M
safe to adopt the theory. The high
est civilization had always been where
nature had been most benefcient.Ma
of all creatures was the least fitted,
physically, to survive. Darwin fails to
bridge the four chasms between man
and inorganic matter. We must
conclude, until more proof is adduced,
that man was created by God by a
special providence. This is the sim
plest, truest, sublimest account of
mans origin yet offered to the world
Miss Lillian I. Blake spoke up
on Home Influences" She referred
to the powerful influences of home,
and urged that home should be a
quiet, secluded spot where love may
dwell, land consecrate dto higher intel
lectual development. The only hope
of preserving the love of home is the
exercise of charity and patience.
Home should be refuge from toll
and care. 1t should be made pleasant
for the children, to inspire them to
noble thoughts and to high ideals of
honor, in order that they will not
wander into temptation. Many of
the great characters of history credit
their greatness to happy home infu-
ences, as for example, Garfield, Lin
coin, Bacon and Washington. 1t is
especially needful that it should be
so cheerful that young men will not
be tempted into the saloons. Boys
and girls should be thought self-reli-
ance, and to choose the right and re-
fuse the wrong, in order best to sue
coed in the world.
Miss Emma Kohler's subject was
opportunities. These are apt to
take wings unless seized when pres
ent. There is atime In mans life,
which, taken at the flood, leads on to
fortune" Very different results often
follow the young men of equal abili-
ties, because one siezes his opportuni.
ties and rises higher, and the other
does not and sinks down. The &C.
ceptance of opportunity has often de.
decided battles and the destinies OF
nations in the past. Caesar and Ma
poleon owe their successes to oppcr
tunities improved. Bunyon in i'm
prisonment enriched the literature Of