The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-05-29
STATE NORMAL H o
The Commencement Exercises--Bryan's
Speech--GOrdon's Lecture.

LIS 6CCOhN OhAAOoA
of the State Normal and Industrial
School was held at Greensboro last
Wednesday and Thursday. Every
thing was unusually interesting from
beginning to end. On Wednesday
morning Hon. w. J. Bryan, of Ne.
braska, addressed an immense audi
ence. At $50 p. M, the class exercises
were held, after which Mrs. Bryan ad-
dressed the young ladies. At 10 BOA.
m, Thursday, Rt. Rev. Edward Ron.
thaler, of Salem, preached the annual
sermon. This was followed by a pre-
sentation of diplomas, and other inter
estiDg exercises. At 8 80 p. M, Sena-
tor John B. Gordon delivered his
famous lecture, Last Days of the Con
federacy."
Three years ago the ground now &C
cupied by the beautiful Normal School
buildings was a barren field near the
suburbs of Greensboro. Now these
buildings are surrounded by handsome
new dwellings. The city of Greens,
! boro furnished the money for the col
lege buildings and the State supports
the school, the pupils paying only for
board and books, all of which is fur
nished ct very low prices. To show
how popular the school is, it is only
necessary to state that the attendance
this year is $50 young ladies, from
every county in the State, and more
than 500 others made application but
could not be taken The bevy Of young
ladies at this school will compare favor
ably with any high class institution in
| America. It is an immense boquet of
flowers plucked from the homes of the
great common people in every locality
from the mountains to the seashore.
On Wednesday morning at a few
minutes before II, DR.. McIver formed
a line of distinguished gentlemen who
were to occupy seats on the stage and
they marched in by twos. In the front
were Gov. Carr and the orator of the
day, Hon. William Jennings Bryan, of
Nebraska, Following these were the
board of directors of the institution
and about a hundred gentlemen promi-
ment in education and other work
throughout the State.
Among them we're to be seen Chief
Justice Shepherd, Attorney-G General
Osborne, Col J. S. Carr, Durham;
Prof. Graham, Charlotte, and a mum
Der of other gentlemen from a distance.
DIR. McIver announced that Hon. J..
@ Scarborough, President of the Board
of Directors, was to have made a few
Introductory remarks, but was deter
red from 50 doing by illness.
There was then a song by the stu
dents. and an appropriate prayer by
Rev. J. II. Weaver, D. D., of the n E.
Church. Another selection by the glee
club followed and the audience was
welcomed in a few brief words by the
president of the institution.
Gov. Carr introduced the orator of
the day, Congressman Bryan. In his
remarks he said Mr., Bryan was born
in Marion county, Illinois, in 1860,
graduated at 81, and al 80 was in Con-
gress,
WhenMr Bryar stepped to the front
of the stage he was greeted with round
after round Of applause. In a modest
manner he began his speech. The
audience were politely attentive at
first as the speaker defined the princi-
pies Of the money question. AS he
warmed up and pictured illustration
after Illustration, it was soon plain
that he had the undivided attention of
every person in that intelligent, cul-
tured audience. He said nothing about
parties. Every one present knew that
he was a Democratic Congressman,
but few knew that he had declined an
other denomination at the hands of his
party because his party has left him
and he can no longer go with it on it's
tour Of mono metalism.
Mr.. Bryan began his speech by quot
ing from Jefferson when he said:
Government is the art of being
honest" That, said Mr.. Bryan, lis
the best definition Of government
have ever heard or ever expect to
hear. He told what money is, what it
has been made Of since the world be-
gan, how much is made each year, end
about the output Of gold and silver.
THE American people," said he,
"want an honest dollar, but many of
them have g wrong idea as to what an
honest dollar IL An honest dollar is
one that will not change" He said the
gold dollar was supposed to be- honest,