The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-06-29

RECEIVED TxxEIm D1PLOWA9.
lRiny Iziuh sekssi studsnss FIaiuh
Thelr Public gchsoI Cssrss-Ths -
says and Presentation II Prizes.
4 Fifty graduates OF the Wilmington
High School finished their public
their diplomas In the Auditorium last
Il The commencement exercises were
the most successful that were ever
Igfven by the school. The class was
the largest which has ever left the
school, and the attendance was the
largest that has attended any former
lclass. There wore over 1000 people IN
The building. The stage was beauti-
fully decorated with growing plants.
Large palms were placed to the back
of the stage, and between them was .
large American flag, which made q
beautiful background.
The girls sat on the west OF the stage
while the boys occupied the opposite
side. The Board OF Education, tho
faculty OF the High School and few
invited guests also occupied seats on
the platform, while before them all
lloomed up bank OF bouquets baskets
lot fruits, flowers and packages OF all
lsizes and shapes. holding presents for
the students.
The exercises Of the evening opened
with selection from Professor
.lSteubRen's orchestra and prayer by
REV. W. r. 6wartz The orchestra then
ldent Baird announced the reading Of
1.-THE first essay. by Mise Isabella Mac
lhlister Her composition was Tho
Poets Mission. ut was given In an OK
lcellent manner. Her effoIt was very
natural and gracefully made, and her
Ieloeution was almost faultless. The
essay was greeted with hearty ap-
lplause.
Tue debate OF the question:: IRE.
solved. That the annexation nj Canada
would be Of greater benefit than de-
ltrimsnt to the United States.n by
james r. Mahaffy and Herbert L Rice,
was an interesting feature OF the pro-
lgramme.
The reasons advanced by the AFR
lmative were the growth OF internal
icom meroe; favoring political condi.
ltions; desire OF tho Canadian people
for annexation; cheaper food products.
lapd tho acquisition by the United
Estates OF a great maritime province
and the possible formation Of the
leading nation OF the world.
The negative side OF this question
twas presented by Herbert L. Rice. He
maintained that the desire for the an
lnexation OF Canada, by the people OF
the United States, arose from the pre-
Ivaient idea that all the territory OF the
North American continent should be-
long to the United States. This he
eaid came from tile antiouated notion
about national glory depended upon
1.-THE acquirsment OF additional terri.
TORY. He also advanced the idea that
so vast national domain would be
difficult to govern. He said that the
people of Canada do not want to be
ANNEXED, and annexation without
their consent was forbidden by the or
ganic law OF this country.
He also maintained that Great
Britain would not allow the annexa-
tion Of Canada without resort to war.
llf Canada could be purchased the price
demanded would be SO great as to
make it's acceptance q very remote
possibility.
He considered annexation impossi.
lble, and the advocacy OF impossibili-
tiea, he said, were never beneficial.
| Each OF these speakers occupied
seven and one-half minutes In sum-
ming up bis case. They spoke we'll,
loud enough to be easily heard and
with forcible emphasis. Their elocu-
tIon was fairly good.
Superintendent David w. Harlan
then presented the honor prizes. They
were awarded to Miss Jean l.. Arnett
land Harvey L. Bonham, and were
complete works and a
Webeter's dictionary. The Morning
news prizes, which are the second hon
Or prizes, were awarded by George W.
Roberts to Miss Mary G. Zebley and
George W. X. Forrest. The prizes are
lgold badges engraved with the name
of the winner.
The Alumni prize of ten dollar
lgold piece was awarded to Geo w.
lMcCnrtney by DR.. Swlthin Chandler
for general excellence In the school
course OF study and for the second
highest average In the June class.
! The AlumnR prize OF o Webster's In
Iternutional Dictionary was awarded
TO Miss Bessie r. Plat for excellence
In tho study Of English grammar.
Miss Platts average was COS and stood
first In class OF seventy competitors.
Samuel L. Green was awarded the
John Il. King prize OF o yearly ticket
In the Y. NJ. q. A. MIR. King made the
The Institute prizes
were awarded 10 Mise Bertha Buiki,
Miss Anna OFT, Miss Regina Donahoe,
u. A. Pierce, and Arlington Sutton.
After the prize presentations the
read by Miss Nellie B. Gillespie. This
composition was the best of the
literary numbers of the programme.
She spoke In an excellent manner and
when she finished was heartily applaud
led. Albert vs. Foreman was the orator
flor the class, choosing for his Grafton
Depew's STRUGGLES OF Disooverer,"
which was delivered In very forcibie
manner.
Rev. Merritt Hulburd. D. D., of
Philadelphia, delivered the address 10
the graduates and 1t was an eloquent
discourse.
The speaker euloglzed the public
school system as means for develop |
ling American citizens. He said he
was not called on to defend the
schools. as their value had been
proven and their effectiveness put be- |
Iyond u doubt
He regarded the schools as the bull |
wark OF the nation and the church. |
The peril which beset the nation, he |
|eaid, was not that Of foreign attack or |
Invasion, but from the influence Of un.
related foreign people who were |
to America. These hotero. |
Igenous maesss, no said, must be pour |
lRround into good American citizens; |
citizens OF Englieh speech. whose lit |
Ierature, law and gospel came TO them |
In EnglIsh speech. The peril of the |
nation arose from the attempt to pro- |
long foreign customs and to continue
foreign speech among the people.
The public schools must cure this, |
and on no other basis than such pro- |
lection, than for making intensely |
American men and women could the |
school boards go to the tax payer and |
ask for his money.
The speaker paid q glowing tribute |
to youth, and told the graduates that |
In their Astounding young life they had |
that for which their seniors would bar |
ter all their possessions. He urged |
the graduates TO form high ideas, to |
be true to themselves and listen for |
all the truth which God has In store |
for mankind.
Tho speech was a very eloquent one |
and made a marked Impression.
President Baird presented the d.
plomas, and after selection by the
orchestra the commencement exer-
cises OF the class OF '93 were thing of I
the past.