The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-06-05
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

This has been 40 IDEAL commencement.
The sun shone out in all its radiant splendor.
AZ if il to usher upon the wide, wide world
the graduating class Of '95 with ideal bright
ness. Twelve young ladies having completed
their educational course, now move forth
upou the various avenues of life-7eritable
flowers whose sweetness will mellow many a
home.
The exercises were opened with prayer by
the Rev. Dr.. Edmunds, which was followed
BY music. ;.
Miss Maud Pierson then greeted the audi
ence with her Salutatory. in which she TOOK
az the running theme ''The True Sphere of
Woman" and held up for herself and friends
the perfect womanhood.
The essay, "Truth," by Miss Allie Buddin,
was full of thought and the audience were
pleased with ths choice language employed
in the construction of the essay. She spoke
of truth as tie foundation of life, liberty and
home.
The exercises were here interrupted by
music by Miss Georgia Ingram, whose touch
had already won the admiration Of the audi
epce the evening before.
Judge T. B. Fraser in a very felicitous
manner introduced as the orator of the day,
Capt H. T. Thompson, of Darlington, who
for fifty minutes spoke eloqueptly and truth
fully of the change of woman from the past
10 the present and took occasion to pay res
meets TO the suffragists and conclusvely
nroyed how futile the effort to bring
woman TO the pola, and how dangerous it
would be to our institutions. Suffrage was
based, be said, upon ability to produce force
that is, ability to bear arms, quiet riots,
make arrests, etc. This woman could not
do. therefore she was not to vote. He said
that no matter how many thousand dollars
IN taxes man paid, or whether be paid only
one dollar, be had but one vote, therefore
franchise was not based upon property
qualification. He said further that whenever
women agreed to bear arms, quiet riots, or
make arrests, then no man would forbid her
franchise.
Il is impossible to do the speech justice.
twas an effort worthy of the man. His
tribute to woman, the respect he had for her,
which cropped out throughout his discourse,
placed him high in the regard Of his hearers.
His remarks tc the graduating class were
indeed timely and good, and We trust Will be
fruitful.
A, the conclusion of the address Misses
Georgia Ingram and Georgia Edmonston
charmed the audience with one of their truly
solendid executions. These young ladies
have won the highest encomiums from the
musical critics.
In graceful and modest manner Miss
Dora Michau delivered the Vaedictory. She,
who had borne off the honor of the day, and
not only Of the day, but OF the year, uphe:i
her position. TO BE an honor graduate ol
any institution is an honor achieved by few
and is to oe priced Miss Mchau's career
will be watched closely by her friends, and
upon her and ner classmates the light OF the
old alma mater will ever shine rs beacon
light to higher and nobler things.
DR.. Hughson, in few appropriate re.
marks, delivered the medals to Misses Dora
Richardson and Mabel Folsom, bright stars
chosen from the huge galaxy which adorn:
the Institute rcll.
President Wilson then delivered the di-
r,on,ea taking occasion TO pav thor, 'rihnte
md bestowed wholesome ad ,i.-e