Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-05-18
MANCHEsTER HIGH SCHOOL
Commencement ExercIses-A Large
Gathering OF People Both White
and COIOred.

The Commencement Exercises OF the
graduating class of 'S5 were held on
last Monday evening at the First Bap-
tist Church. The large and spacious
edifice was packed TO overflowing
Standing room was at a premium.
Crowds of people were on the outside
locking through the blinds and many
could be seen travelling homeward on
account of not being able to gain ad-
mittance. At least, 1900 people both
white and colOred assembled to wit
ness the exercise. The rostrum was
beautifully decorated with all kind of
flowers. Among those upon the ros-
trum were Supt. D. l.. Pulliam, Prof.
Carr, Auther Snellings, DIR. Rucker,
Revs. A. Binga, Sutton E. Griggs, Prof.
Jas. II. Blackwell and Others
The exercise commenced promptly
at 3 go O'Clock. The march was su-
perb, each keeping time with the beau
tiful strains of music when the clock
strikes nine" The march was played
by Mr.. c. Henry Jones, led by Mr.. Q.
VIM. Moon. r
The following programme was rem
dered:
Music-Echo song, School; Music
When the Clock Strikes Nine, March },
School; Invocation; Music-Our Pub
lie Schools Grafton, The Uses of Histo-
ry," John Louis Walker; Essay, 1.-The
March of Intellect" Amelia Ethelind
Giles Grafton, ''The Power Of Thought
James Walter Harris; Music-Solo-
''Only Tired" George +. Robinson
Essay, ITO Day We Write Page the
Future win Uufold," Alma Howard
Thompson; Grafton, "What Makes
/ Men Great" William Luther Deane
Essay Woman's Inhuencein Shaping
a Nations Destiny" Bertha Evange-
/ line Hughes; Music-"Life's Dream is
Ger (Duet), Mary Janetta Walthal
and Mamie Florence Allen; Grafton
II Can Dig" Thomas Dolo Atkins
Glass Phrophecy, John II. Holmes Es
say and Valedictory, Nothing is Lost
| Celeste Deva Moon Music-"I am the
Way" Sarah Adel Deane, Ida M. Book
er and Others; Address to the gradu
ates, Prof. ID. Webster Davis Confer
ring Diplomas, Supt. d. l.. Pulliam
Music-Class Poem, Graduating Glass
Short Talks, Members of School Boar,
and others Music" America, School
Benediction.
The programme was well executed
Rev. w. +. Graham, who was to de
liver the address to the graduates wa
u 00cCnts AAC cCAAI q AlAGccuAC clAliAt
: that he was under the impression tina
the exercise would be at o'clock an
that he couldn't possibly be present &
3 80 p. NJ. Prof. Davis was called VI
on by Prof. Blackwell to fill the VI
: cancy, he did SO and said that he ha
to speak extemporaneously as he ha
been called upon unexpectedly. II
carried the vast assemblage by storm
/ He spoke as man never dared to spes
l of the treatment of the Negroes Of IL
r North and South, and showed I'll
r great advantages the Negroes of Il
y south have which those Of the north a,
deprived of. He captivated the aud
ence with the rich enhancing la
guage that fell from his lips. He W
eloquent and witty from start to finis
The audience at times lost control
!, itself and burst forth with Taught
# and laundering applause that could
4 heard a long distance off. The auC
ence became reticent as he recit
i the beautiful song when the Mis-
: have Rolled Away" as his conclusi
a remarks. He was applauded throug
u out his speech.
i Sups. ID. L. Pulliam in a most pies
IL ing manner addressed the audienC
ii His address was full of wholesome q
M vice and at times scared in eloQuen
,s to such degree that his hearers we
!. compelled to send forth applause.
n conferred the diplomas.
l. Mr.. - Bailey, a member of I
r school board made a few encourage
rs remarks. He said that he had the c
IN ored people at heart and would
IN | everything within his power to %
. mote their growth. He was rapturol
to ly applauded.
n Messrs Q. W. Moon, r. A. Johns
a. and DR.. A. Binga made short presen
oh ton addresses. They were applaud
The music furnished by the schOl
was exceedingly grand and too mi
praise cannot be given Prof. Q. w
y. lam Moon for the excellent manner
!. which he had trained them.
In delivering the Orations and
reading of the essays, the gradua
proved themselves equal to the oC
sion and reflected great credit u
their principal, Prof. James Heyw
Blackwell, and his excellent corps
teachers.