Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-05-21
Commencement Day..
. BRILLIANT ORATORICAL CON
TEST BY ELEVEN BRIGHT
GRADUATES.
Flowers-Gold Medals.
AIsrxe Audience Entertained BY Bright Boys
and Pretty Girl Graduates at Masonic
Hall Tuesday Night.

There was unusual life in the city all
day Tuesday. The preparation for the
public school commencement interest
cd everybody. Long before the hour of
eight in the evening the Masonic Hall,
the largest in the city, was jammed
and scores had been turned away. The
seats were all occupied as well as the
standing room in the aisles and entry.
AT s:2O the graduating class appeared
upon the stage. and Mrs. Stacy took
her place at the piano. The grand
march hoated upon the air. The
soothing music brought surcease and
the buzz of restlessness was at an end.
The silence of deep interest reigned.
The invocation by Rev. Henry Brown
followed.
The first Grafton Of the evening was
4 by Miss Ruth Wilkinson. Her selec-
ton, "Retiection by the River'was APP
propriate. Her picture was OF the
mighty Snake as figure representing
life. Every mind realized the simple,
beautiful, forcible figure. The incep-
ton of strength, the forming of
character and the growth of
usefulness were illustrated by the
mighty river that sweeps by our doors.
The young lady sustained her theme
admirably and her Grafton must have
inspired her young associates to noble
purposes.
Bert Chapman was the second
speaker iii the oratorical contest. His
subject was, advantages of a
Liberal Education" He pics
tured the blessings Of refined intel
lect and accredited the public schools
with great blessings for future human
iy. His theme was strongly main
tained throughout the course Of his
address. He was com plimented for the
research he had made i'm the selection
Of matter for his address.
Miss May Wildenthaler selected as
her subject "SeIf Satisfaction The
field of thought suggested 10y hel
treatment of the question was broad
one and she treated it logically and de.
lvered her address in II very pleasing
manner. She pointed out the penefits
to accrue from the desire to gain Il
higher mental field of thought and
demonstrated that there should be nc
dissatisfaction with a secondary posi-
ton in the world Of learning. Miss
Wildenthaler was complimented upon
The thoroughness of her study of thu
subject in hand and the readiness Will
which she delivered her long Grafton
she had thoroughly prepared ant
memorized her address.
Miss Jessie Strong is one of tin
youngest of the graduates. Her ad
dress, however, was one of the best
her "ProbIem of Life" called for dee,
rejection. The problem to solve wa
'he plan Of evolution from the primi
1--WE man of the past to the refinet
man OF the present aud the future
she illustrated by poetic extracts ant
pretty thoughts of philosophers of th'
past The young lady gave evidenc
/" good ability and sturdy character.
bertha Haner gave on interesting
study of a good subject. She entitled
her oration "From School Life to Life
school" She drew realistic picture
" school life of which sE
'ao such bright ideas, and OF life
school of which she is entering tn
'nreshhold. This young lady won al
,,lrers in the audience by her gracef,
"'ctlon and deep study.
Erie Porter treated of the "Comin
i@'oiution." His address was pro
phetlc as we'll as scientific. He hat
~rhaps, studied in the school of Be
'a"y' and might be charged with s,
.'a''st'c tendencies. 1t we could all L
"ee rom political prejudices we coul
"'pe lor the realization Of the perfet
poh"cal conditions pictured by th
s'ahg speaker. His predictions wer
We" received, even to his prophec,
aa. Mckihley would be the next pre-
idelit.
, oh'y Song" by Miss Mabel Ke
- y was a real musical treat. This lad
. "n accomplished vocalist and h,
au''er on the program was awaite
expectancy. Her rendering
-. u'mcuit beautiful selection ":
Perfect.
ass Caroiyn Roos selected the su
." go. Crit" as theme for her di
,na Se and she developed an intertes
'u"1ect from the abstract though