The record-union., 1896-07-25
HIGH SCHOOL EXERCISES.
Interesting Features in the Assembly
Chamber Yesterday.
Graduates Receive Their Diplomas
Promotion Certificates in the
Grammar Schools.

Yesterday was a memorable day for
the pupils of the public schools. 1t was
the occasion on which those who had
earned promotion during the year re-
ceived their diplomas-d evl-
dence of their proficiency and good be-
havior that they will preserve and ex-
anime with pleasure In the coming
years.
The schools were all crowded with
parents and friends of the pupils TO W.T.
ness this interesting feature of the CLOS
ing day of the term, and those pupils
that had won class honors We're mace
happy by the congratulations and com
mendations showered upon them. Those
who were not so fortunate as to pass
should not, however, be discouraged.
Sickness, helping mother and othef
unforeseen causes had of course oper-
ated to prevent some pupils from Delns
constantly at school during the term,
and some of these will be obliged TO re-
main another term in their old grades.
But to the young this should brlng no
serious regrets. They will IND thelI
work easier during the next term, ana
with the years ahead of them in when
to work their way upward they VIII
have plenty of time in which to reach
the top before the cares Of life settle
down upon them.
HIGH SCHOOL EXERCISES.
The High School commencement ex-
ercises were held in the Assembly
Chamber of the State Capitol, begin
ming at 1:30 p m, the attendance being
large, both on the floor and in the gall
lery Seats had been reserved for the
graduates in a body in the part Of the
chamber nearest the Speakers desk, ano
after the orchestra had rendered an
overture they filed in and received the
plaudits of their assembled friends.
Professor J. H Pond, Principal of the
school, in his Introductory remarks,
called attention to the fact that there
was no valedictorian for the class In
stead of this, the usual course, Fro
fessor Murray of the Stanford Universi-
ty would address those present with
words fitting the occasion.
The motto of the class, said Professor
Pond. had been Let Us Avail Much,
and while there had been excellence in
the class all had emphatically declined
to take upon themselves the task Of de-
Hvering a valedictory. He was proud
Of this. for he doubted not but that sell
fshness was at the bottom Of all such
addresses, and the motto Of the class
had gone far to eliminate it.
Rev. H N. Hoyt invoked the blessing
of Divine Providence on the pupils In
very impressive manner, and after an
other selection had been rendered by
the orchestra, Professor Pond intro
duced Professor Murray of stanford
University.
Professor Murray confined himself
largely to the subject Of education in
English literature and the classics, but
took occasion to observe that while
knowledge derived from text books was
an excellent thing to have, practical ap-
plication was necessary to a thorough
and comprehensive understanding OF
the subject On graduating it was well
for the students to take stock and see
Just where they stood. Manuals and
lectures often meant more than the
facts contained in them. and their re-
tention in the mind would have impart-
ed a training Of infinite value.
But side by side, he said, with the
sciences are other studies which tend tc
give the student a. love for literature
and prompts him to discern readily be-
tween right and wrong. An education
at best meant a full development OF
thought, and no pains should be spared
to that end, and it was desirable above
everything else that the schools turn
out weIl-trained men and women. They
should be so trained as to make life
beautiful for themselves and those with
whom they are thrown in contact.
at
ing a solace and an inspiration, and tbs
student who would study literature
should first Of all study the influences
and surroundings of the author. Be
fore contention is raised as to whethel
Homer, Shakespeare or Dante was th'
better poet, consideration should b'
taken Of the influences and surround
ings. and each might be found to exec
In his sphere.
In order to successfully comprehend
the beauties OF English literature
thorough knowledge of not only German
and French, but also of Latin and Greel
should be had, as the modern language
all found a root in the Latin. Modern
Europe had grown out Of the ruins Q
the Roman Empire. and while the stud,
of Greek Is now often considered old
fashioned, it would De enough lot III
student to know that it was from Greco
that Rome borrowed her customs, art
and education. to make him sufficlentl
eager to become proficient in the Ian
euage of the ancient Greeks. While
Is now contended that history is a sci
ence. the Greek made 1t an art.
The Professor ended with the state
uent that the best medium Of intelli
gent training was the classics, an
every one needed the love Of poetry t
make life rich and happy.
state Superintendent of Schools Blac
having been selected to present diploma
to the graduates, prefaced that opera
ticn with a few practical remarks. Fl
said the public schools of the State suf
fered more from conservatism than an
other cause Instead Of this conserva