The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-05-07


of the Young Ladies-The Latter, How.
ever. Were Very Sweet and Beautiful
Music by High school Talent Was 9
Pretty Feature OF the Event-Brief Bits
of Essays.
Thirty-four pupils graduated from the
High school last night and were given
their diplomas by tn president of the
board.
Ine commencement exercises that
marked the event were rot only highly
edifying but h:gh.y interesting as we'll.
Among the graduates this year were
sixteen young men. which is the largest
number Of the male sex that ever grad
uated al one time from the High. school.
Another unusual thing was the fact that
on the average the male graduates this
year showed equal if not greater ability
tnan the yourg lady graduates. Seven or
eight Of the young men manifested more
onan ordinary oratorical talent.
The decorations of the Auditorium
were not very elaborate, but what dec
oratons were there were pretty. and
well arranged.
Inc attendance was very large, every
seat ir the body of the Auditorium and
gallery being filed. For an hour before
The exercises opened there was an i'm
mense crowd at the door and the surging
scene looked at from above was like a
moving flower garden. N:nety-nine per
cent Of the ladies' wore Easter hats.
At 7:30 promptly the graduates filed in
upon the stage and took seats in a semi
circle, presenting very pleasing ap-
pearance. The class is an exceptionally
bright one and in addition seem to have
the advantage Of better looks over pre-
ceding classes.
Taken as whole. the commencement
was very creditable event In issuing
the diplomas Superintendent Dyer and
Assistant Superintendent Alien made
short addresses which were very appro-
pirate TO the occasion.
On the average the essays read bv the
class Of 'ss were better than those Of the
class OF 's7.
GARLAND p. FERRELL
Garland P. Ferrell was the first orator
Of the evening, His subject was Dig
nifty in Statesmanship.' He set forth the
standard by which the statesman must
be measured and showed that the lead
ing quality was true dignity He placed
In this class but two who could truly
claim that place These two were Wash
ington and Lincoln. He drew sharply
the difference between the statesman
ana the politician, showing PLAINLY that
the latter was not to be confounded with
the former. He referred tellingly to the
hold up morals which rules in present
politics and concluded with fine and
eloquent reference TO the coming third
statesman. Mr.. Ferrelrs voice was clear
and distinct and his delivery graceful.
His oratory was such as is seldom sur
passed by young men of his age.
MISS BABCOCK.
The Responsibility Of the Author" by
Miss Naude 4. Babcock, was the second
on the program. She told for what the
Egyptians, Greeks and Romans were es-
pecially noted, saying that the English
speaking nations had always been of a
literary nature. She referred to Milton.
Tom Payne. Voltaire and other authors
She told Of the moral responsibility and
the power Of writers. She said that the
freedom OF America was in a great meas
ure due 10 the authors of that time. She
spoke in low, sweet voice and created a
most favorable impression.
MISS BACHTEL.
Miss Edith May Bachtel had for her
subject Pyramids and Apollos." Miss
Bachtel is a very sweet speaker and had
a decidedly clear conception of her sub
3ect, which was a comparison between
Grecian art and Egyptian architecture.
Wherever art is banished,'' she said,
'the independence and character of a
people are destroyed. Art was the geni-
us of the Greeks, while architecture was
the genius of the Egyptians. The Greeks
chiseled their impressions in marble and
gave Us the great gods and goddesses by
whom we can judge the character OF the
people of that age. The Egyptians built
great buildings, and from these we get |
an idea of that strong character and de- |
termination which made them the great |
est people of their time" Miss Bachtel !
can well afford 20 be proud of not only |
her essay but of the personal impress. On /
she made on the audience.
FRED B. HILL.
"Mysteries OF Nature" by Fred r
Hill. was delivered in an easy manner
and his voice was distinct. Mr. Hill |
showed the development Of the human
mind in is emancipation from the va
garies which surround the mysteries
Of nature. Going back 10 the days OF
ancient Greece. he traced the growth OF |
science and showed how one after an
other It's victories were won. The only
reason that there are mysteries is that
man does not know all. II he knew all |
there would then be no mysteries. He
then prophecied the great future which
science promised in making known these
secrets.
GARNET CULP.
"Mirth." by Miss Garnet Cup. was
delivered in clear, strong. penetrating
voice. She compared and showed the
effect OF nature on mirth. Taking
bright. sunny day, she said that every
one felt better. while on dark. cloudy
day they would be down-hearted. To
be awakened by The song OF birds. and 10
have the sun shining. made duty
pleasure M;rthfulness could be ac-
auired by asociating with nlirthful peo-
ole. and lively conversation. 1t was no;
4 sin to laugh nor was It undignihed.
She told OF the effect on two soldiers who
were n a hospital. One was slightly in
lured. but Being moody, died; the other.
who was madly injured. being OF q
nirthful nature, recovered. Mirth, she
aid, was a celestial being. perpetual
lelight. |.
MISS DORSEY