Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-22
THE JOHNSTON COMPANY.

bear with them the good name and the
reputation Of the Washington High School.
We will regard their future career with
the greatest interest and We will rejoice
In their successes. And should disaster ever
overtake them. there is no one connected
with the public schools or with the Dis
trict government who will not willingly
extend q helping hand.
Danger of Ignorance.
I have not words at my command ade-
quately to express my estimate Of the i'm
portance OF the public school system Of
the District Of Columbia. There are other
most weighty matters committed to the
care OF the Commissioners Of the District
1t may be the result Of long and pleasant
associations. for It is well nigh nine years
since I first held an ofYicial relation to the
public schools Of the District, but 1 cannot
but believe that that public school system
dealing as IT does with youthful intellect
and character. somehow transcends In i'm
portance the merely material interest Of
the municipality. and that 1t holds the
same relative Importance throughout the
Union OF states. Ignorance is not merely
handicap In the race Of life to the indi-
viduaI; II Is dangerous in a republic. These
ni-considered movements which have caused
alarm throughout the states. and uneasi-
ness at the capital. have largely been the
result OF misconception of the powers and
functions of the general government
schools OF the District is thoroughly ac-
Quainted with the language and with the
meaning of every clause in the Constitu-
ton of the United States. 1 undertake to
say that among all OF the anarchists of the
United States there Is not one who was
trained in the public schools of any Of the
states Of the Union. These young people
are not only taught the language OF the
Constitution of the United States but they
are familiar with the principles on which
our system OF government was founded
They know that for any wrongs which may
exist the remedy lies In that weapon which
Is surer yet and stronger than the bayo-
disorder.
Yet should the necessity ever arise for
the enrolment into active service of our
citizen soldiery, the young men of the
District who. during the past ten years
have been so carefully drilled as members
so proud-the High School Cadets-and
who are now following the avocations of
peace in every walk OF life, could most con-
fidentiy be relied upon a trained body
OF men Tor the protection of the public
peace and in defense of the cause of law
and order. In the name OF these fair white
robej graduates. in the name of these gal
liant High School boys. 1 thank this vast
audience for its kindly interest in their
commencement exercises.
Meachams American Patrol followed
Mr.. Ross address. The selection embraced
a number of national and patriotic airs and
was received with spontaneous and en-
thusiastic applause. to which Prof. Fam
ciulli responded with his own popular COM
position. The Evening Star March," which
also vas heartily applauded.
Praise for the Schools.
Commissioner Ross again arose and stated
that the honor devolved upon him to intro
duce a gentk man whom he had Anown since
boyhood, a man who Tor twenty years had
been true and loyal friend to the best
interests Of the District of Columbia He
then presented Congressman VIM. NJ
Springer. the speaker Of the evening.
Ladies and gentlemen, began Mr.
Springer. the occasion which has called
US together Is one OF great importance. No
where else in this broad land. from ocean
GO ocean. has such a scene been witnessed.
This is the High School OF the nation. 1t
Is not merely a local institution. for the
sons and dau e htcr3 OF citizens from every