Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-16
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS.
A Large Number Of Them and a FeW
Boys Receive Diplomas.
EXPONENT OF TRUE AMERIcANIsM.
Professor Mitchell Discusses the
Public school rs Such II Factor-
Brilliant Audience.

The stage at the Academy Of Music
presented a beautiful appearance last eve
ming. when. grouped in front of a great
pyramid Of flowers. sat the pupils in the
more advanced grades of the Richmond
High School-sweet girl graduates. in all
the lovelness Of gowns Of purest white,
boys yet I'm knickerbockers and with
smiling faces: other lads older and with
all the dignity which long pants can give
a youth in his teens. The boys were
largely i'm the minority, however. and
there were just enough black suits to
make a contrast TO the snowy dresses Of
the array of girls.
The principal. Mr. Julian p. Thomas.
announced as the first number on the pro-
gramme an essay ON Happiness" which
was delivered By Miss Sarah Chalkley.
The young lady in the paper which she
had prepared. showed that she knew what
the word meant, in every sense, ana
her reading OF the composition was highly
enjoyed. An oration THE American
Citizen" by Nj Lee McBain, was
splendid effort for 80 young a states
man. and IL be only practices what ne
breaches" he will. no doubt. one day be
all that he so clearly defined.
In the Sweet Summer Time" one OF
Miss Julia Hennings most popular sons.
was then rendered as a chorus in de-
lightful manner by Misses Alma Attkis-
SON. Inez Weisiger. Ada Cosby, Violet
Richardson. Edna Mccarthy, and Messrs.
Tom. McCauu. Howard Woodhn, and
Curry Bosher 4 duet was also rendered
in fine voice by Misses Alma AttkissOn
and Violet Richardson.
\ PRETTY RECITATION.
"The Relief OF Lucknow" was recited in
a charming manner by Miss Eta Loven-
stein. and her pretty pronunciation OF the
Scottish dialect quite captivated the
audience.
When Mr. Thomas announced In clear
tones 1.-THE Charge of the Light Brigade"
ten lads marched TO the fo1tights and
after some pretty counter manoeuvres,
struck an attitude" and recited the
lines Of the weil-knOwn poem Ia perfect
time with each other, and with move
ments which added no little 10 the effect
My Little Home Beside the Tennes-
See" another sweet melody from the
pen Of Miss Henning. who Is one Of the
teachers at the High school. was rem
dered as a chorus and duet. the latter by
Mr. Tom McCasll and Violet Richard
son. both Of whom sang splendidly.
The hit of the evening was the recita-
ton by Mr. John Eggleston. who. IN
giving his Masculine Opinion" kept the
audience in roar during its rendition.
lie was forced 10 respond TO an encore.
TRUE A4lERICANISM
The orator Of the evening. Professor
$ G. Mitchell, of Richmond College was
introduced. and his remarks were exceed
ingly Well-chosen and appropriate for the
DfrlIf. GnhnaI
Exponent Of True Amerlcanism" was the
subject Of his address. and his utterances
were democratic TO the very core. The
public school he said was the best eX-
p0nent OF Amcricanism. The college was
an Inheritance from England. but the
common-school system OF this country
developed independently. The speaker
deplored the fact that American history
had been neglected in our colleges. Pro
fcssor Mitchell said If he were asked 70
state the foremost work awaiting the
youth Of the South to-day. he would say
TO "naturalize il in politics and to libe-
ralizc it I'm thought" He said he
hailed with delight every indication Of
growing love between the sections. and
was panied by any mark Of siumbering
anmosity.
Professor Mitchell. after touching upon
this subject. concluded by referring 20
our now united country. and said
"In anticipating the rapture in seeing
the heroes Of the COnfederacy, who are
soon to meet In our beautiful city. | have
been thinking Of the day when / looked
upon the column of gray-haired veterans
Of San Jacinto. one incident OF them
was told me on that Texas soil which /
shall never forget When in the '4Js,
the republic OF Texas was admitted into
the United States. a vast assembly at
tended the ceremonies in Austin. When
Houston's SCARED veterans saw the flag
which had led them to victory being hauled
down on the Capitol their eyes were
blinded with tears, and a sadness filled
their hearts as they remembered the
stirring scenes which that flag had Wit
messed. But. when the stars and Bars
was run up and unfurled TO the breezes,
a universal shout OF JOY greeted IT, as
they thought Of the larger union into
which they entered, and OF the more
glorious destiny which this Union opened
TO them. So we. without abandoning
single principle that IL dear. or a single
memory that is hallowed. can rejoice in
devotion TO united country. whose COM
mon glory is found i'm the matches man
hood Of a Lee. as well as In the ingenious
heart OF Lincoln"
MEDALS AND HONORs.
The Peabody medals for high standing
were delivered 10 the following successful
pupils: Huda Singer. postgraduate A.
silver medal Alice Wingfeld. senior A.
Rachel Hatch. junior a l.. and Annie
Watkins each a bronze medal.
Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson. In a happy
manner then delivered the certificates
in the classes Of cooking. photography.
and typewriting. and those OF the bust
ness course, and OF the postgraduate
class.
Last Of all. the graduates, whose names