The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-06-07
Baptist church, pronounced an invo-

Baptist church, pronounced an invo-
cation.
Miss Jennie D. Fletcher gave the
salutatory, calling attention to the
fact that the class has it's knowledge
now principally from books, but while
lacking in practical experience, she
hoped her hearers would see something
promising in the class. She welcomed
all to the commencement exercises.
Ellsworth Fleming gave an grafton
on ''The Election of Senator's"
strongly favoring direct election by
the people, as more likely to secure
truly representative members in that
branch of congress. He thought that
it was useless to expect publication in
our national life while the present
election system was in vogue. He re-
ferred to the last senatorial election
in this state, saying that it is thought
by many that the election was not as
pure as it should have been, He pre-
dicted that change in the system of
election would be made in few years.
The next number was an grafton by
Tresham D. Gregg, on "The Decline
of Civic Virtue" He held that a
wide spread system of corruption
pervades our country. The fault lies
not in our form of government, but
in ourselves. He thought that the
great mass of foreign population in
our cities, lead by the great traitor,
The Boss, aided in this corruption.
The mere fact of naturalization does
not Americanize these voters. The
great danger does not impend from
patriotic foreigners but from apathet-
ic Americans. If there is not enough
patriotism in our country to Ameri-
canize foreigners, there is not enough
to preserve the integrity of the gov
eminent. He urged all to do their
part, appealing to their Americanism
that the future may ring with the
national spirit.
Miss Carrie Pau gave an grafton on
the subject "Gird Thee for the High
Endeavor." She spoke of the change
in feeling regarding the sphere of
woman, and the higher place she has
taken during the past few years. She
made a plea for womanly women, who
are the noblest of their sex. No one
can really admire weak and foolish
woman, no matter how beautiful. A
kind heart will show the way for
woman to best conduct herself. 1t is
mistake if any of us think that we
have acquired all knowledge, on our
graduation, and all should keep right
on acquiring knowledge.
Frank ]. Sheffield took the negative
of a debate on Territorial Annexa-
tion," giving number of arguments
against such system. He held that
it is poor policy to try to incorpor-
ate in the union foreign lands whose
people have no sympathy with our
traditions and form of government. In
short time foreigners would secure
control of our government. He held
that it is our plain duty to unite more
closely our own country and Ameri-
canize our own foreign population.
r. Frank Howe was to have had the
affirmative Of the question but was
excused.
The chorus advanced and sang
"Revel of the Leaves" in a most credi-
table manner, showing excellent in
struction on the part of Miss Soule.
Miss Eva G. Smith gave an essay on
Nature Study" She held that the
study of natural science will be of
benefit to children. 1t is moral as
well as mental discipline, while
they learn the first principles of many
subjects. Nature study also adds to
happiness, by opening up new world
to those who search. How can a per-
son be devoted to art, literature or
music, and blind to the beauties of
nature everywhere revealed?