The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-30
nowAsD SCHOOL corMHscsMasr
Exercises IN the Opera House Lsss Slsht
q Enjoyable and largely ATTENDED,

The Howard School commencement ex-
ercises were held 10 the Grand Opera
House last evening amid beautiful flowers
and school eolors and In the presence Of
parents and friends Of the students who
crowded the building.
Many members Of the Board OF Educn-
ton occupied seats on the platform. The
teachers and graduates occupied seats near
the front Of the stage. President Baird OF
the Board Of Education presided. Rev. c.
A. Tindley OF Ezion NJ. Il. Church pro-
ed by an overture by the orchestra. Then
the pupils on the stage sang Awakening
OF the birds" under the leadership OF Pro-
ftssor Emil Engel. The selection was ap-
plaH la,i.
The first essay was one on "The Evolu-
ton of the Book" by Miss Flora Hannah
Woodson. She held that books are spec
tacles Of nature, and food for both Young
and old. Writers disagree as to the origin
Of tho word book" said the speaker, but
1t Is the general opinion that It was dc.
rived from the Saxon language.
Miss Woodson traced the book from tho
time hieroglyphics were carved on rocks
until the present day.
The different methods of making books
by the ancient nations was described at
length. Miss Woodson held that nothing
can be learned by idly glancing over
books.
A selected chorus of the pupils rendered
the selection, distant Chimes" in a
faultless manner, after which Miss AIDE
line Brooks read an essay on what Our
Women Are Doing"
Miss Brooks stated that while the wo-
men of her race have been kept back In the
past because of their condition they are
now making advances along oil lines She
recalled the fact that 1t is only little
more than thirty years since they were
freed from that degradation, slavery, and
that educational facilities for them were
not of such standard in some cities as those
enjoyed by their white sisters.
Several instances Of the fame attained
by women of the race were cited by Miss
Brooks. I'm spite of poverty, prejudice
and sex prejudice, our women have reached
q noble, purer womanhood," declared the
speaker.
Curtis Allen Ward spoke of 1.-THE Mer.
chant of Venice" He reviewed the life Of
William Shakespeare, and referred to his
many works. When literature ceases to
play an important part in the world, and
when education ceases to be requisite,
said the speaker, Shakespeare's nalne will
begin to wane.
"rhe Merchant of Venice" Mr.. Ward
declared to be Shakespeare's greatest work
He carefully portrayed each charaeter,and
gave recital OF certain portions oil the
work. His effort was fully appreciated by
the audience as at the conclusion the
speaker was greeted with rounds OF ap-
planse.
Hon. George H. White member of Con-
gress from North Carolina, addressed tho
graduates. He began by remarking that
from what he had seen the students had
completed curriculum in well equip
ped school. He held that education with
out knack of applying it is worthless.
''The world will demand results from You
commensurate with the age In which you
live. He compared the schools of thirty
five years ago with those of the present
day, saying ut was the old way then, 1t is
the new way now"
He then compared acquiring an educa-
ton to climbing mountain, md said tho
graduates had now reached the plateau,
and had u chance to scale the top Of the
mountain and rank ,intelectuallyswith all
races
'Act well your part" continued Mr..
White Whatever you do, do it well"
Go forth as thinkers, not pla.iarists. Have
an opinion of your own.
He then advised the graduates""to con-
linue their education and to make an APP
plication of 1t to do which thny must be
thinkers. Measure Your ideals, have
high IDEAS concluded Mr.. White in his
talk to the graduates, but in all things be
a man"
Addressing the audience Congressman
W hiIe said he was glad to see the friend
ship existing between The races in this
state, and he referred to tho large number
of white men and women present He
stated that the colored race is seeking to
reach the height of mankind and woman
kind and he held that the purity of the
people was the only thing that would lift
them up.
Ho said that the colored people started
with nothing but ended with something,
In referring to the manner ln which the
colorcd people patterned after tSe white
people, Mr.. White admonished them al
follows; You copy all your white neigh
his bad ones go" He then laughingy
told the white people present that they
should be careful Of the example they set
tle colored people.
His remarks Werc concluded with
story of a runaway OK the owner Of which
had cried; Head US! Head us! No one
stopped the animal so hnally the owner
cried: Head the OK! Head the ok" So it
will he with the Coored race in tho com
Ing year Tho white people will shout;
Head us head US! For Gods sake head
us, but let The niger stand!"
Rov J. II. Simous on behalf Of the
Board of Education, presented to Miss
Flora Hannah Woohson tho first honor
prlze.
Curtis Allen Ward received the second
prize, II. f. Epcncar awarded the Ebert
& Stevens prize for skill In the manual
training department to George Laws.
Harry Hynsons work WAS SO creditable
that he WAS presented with 81 30 IN gold.
and special mention was made Of the work
OF Edmund johnson.
President Baird Of tho Board of E luca.
tion presented tbs diplomas to the grnd;,.
ntes, at the same time making IL neat
speech. The graduates are: Miss Alice
Virginia Ash, Miss Ida Cornelia Carly,
Miss Adclne Brooks, Miss Flora Hannah
WUgdoon, Caleb MiIburn Price, Curtis
Allen Ward.
Tho exercises came to close with
selection by the orchestra and singing by
the class.
Congressman White was aftcrward ten.
dGred an informal reception