Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-07-08


Gift From tho Alumni Assuciation--Au |
Address by DIR. nubert Eiiis Thompson.
Eighty-nine graduates Nof the Will
mipgton High School received their
diplomas at the commencement exer-
cises in tho Opera House last night
week and mads their bow to the
world. 1t was a notable occasion loug
to be remembered in the history OF the
public schools of the city; notable not
only in the largeness of the class which
graduated but also from the presenta-
tion to the Board Of Public Education
by the Alumni Association OF the High
School full length portrait of David
w. Harlan, superintendent OF tha
schools of the city. TIE address TO the
graduates was delivered by Robert Ellis
Thompson, LII. D., principal of the
Boys High School OF Philadelphia.
The prize winners were as follows:
First honor prizes, $40 10 gold,
awarded by the Board of Education
Eleanor Brynberg Forman and Charles
Leslie Bonham.
For perfect attendance for IL years,
s.. 90 10 gold, awarded By the Board of
ducation-Annie Tate.
Morning News prize, S5 gold pieces,
to the highest student in the section of
the graduating class not taking the
first honor prizes-Samuel j. OFT and
Daisy Emma Kembls,
Alumni prize, $40 gold piece, for dis
tinguished ability and excellence Of de-
portment-Allison Nailor Kinney.
Alumne prize, $40 gold piece, for the
highest average in literature-El Elizabeth
Reyold Tatnall.
Bishop Coleman latin prize, in gold
Charles Leslie Bonham and Eleanor
Brynberg Forman.
Notwithstanding the warmth of the
night the commencement exercises at
tracted a large audience to the theatre
and were highly appreciated. Tho
stage was decorated with potted plants
and the many floral presents for the
happy young graduates. AT the stage
right the Stars and Stripes concealed
the handsomely framed portrait of
Superintendent Harlan, the preserta-
tlon of which was surprise from the
Alumni. Above the stage in cherry
and white and brilliant with electric
lights hung the figures "'97'' sur
mounted by the class motto. suggested
by Bishup Coleman, "Nunquam Ret
rorsum." which means never go back
ward. At one side of the figures ap.
peared the shield OF the June class and
on the other side the monogram of the
February class of the graduates.
During the exercises the front of the
stage was occupied by members of the
Board of Public Education aud their
guests, while the graduates were seated
in tiers extending to the hack of the
stage. The graduates entered to the
music of the march ''The Admiral, I"
played by the High School Orchestra
directed by George Elliott. Then. all
standing, prayer was offered by the
Rev. t. A. McCurdy, d. D.. pastor of
Central Presbyterian Church, and after
40 overture by tho orchestra, the ex.
ercises proper began.
Among those on the stage we're Preai
dent Charles Baird OF the Board of
Public Education, and the following
members of the board Daniel Ross,
Senator John Pyle, John Q. Kersey,
David II. Coyle, John r. Hartman,
William Turner, i. B. Morrow, Samuel
II. Baynard, Samuel f. Belts. Dr.
John Palmer, Dr.. Robert Adair,
Thomas Huey. DR.. T.. G. Shortlidge,
Samuel A. Mcdaniel and George Il ON
mel; Principal Robert Ellis Thompson
of Boys High School, Philadelphia,
Principal A. II. Berlin of the High
School, Principal Isaac I. johnson Of
the Friends School, President George
A. Harter of Delaware College, Super
intendent David w. Harlan, Prof.
William A. Pratt of Delaware College,
the Rev. George G, Hall. tho Rev. ".
l.. S. Murray, ID. D., the Rev. W. j.
Bermiugham, the Rev. George L.
Kelley, DIR, William G. Pierce, Elwood
Laytield, DR.. Swithin Chandler, Col.
c. NJ. Leitch, Ii. B. Jones, Peter l..
Cooper, Jr., A. ID. Chaytor. Edgar NJ.
Hopes, the Rev. +. f. Sherman, NJ.
E., of Camden, N. j.. president of tbs
Association College there; A. II.
Spaid, Pbilemma Chandler, W. II.
Moy stin, W. Foulk, John Klund, Johr
S. Grohe, John Doto William H.
Crosby, j. NJ. Hammond, William J.
Chesney and c. f. Bnrdner.
President Baird presided. George
Lou Coppage delivered an Grafton OF
the subject "Greater Than Wealth, :
declaring character to be greater thar
wealth. While in the pursuit of riche
man's success may mean loss to an
other, but character is beneficial to all
He held character to consist in smal
things We done and discussed its power
DIR. Thompson then delivered the ad
dress to the graduates.
y In opening the speaker said that
commencement was an OCCASION 70
giving good advice, yet he never felt
when young, that he cared for gooC
advice. lie was reminded of Job, who
when his friends cams to give advice
broke down and cursed the day he wa
born.
From one of Buwer Lyttons novels
DIR. Thompson took his subject. namely
What will he do with it," that beinI
the question hs wanted to ask tn
graduating class. lie desired especiall,
to ask the young mon what they wer
going to do with the education the
had obtained, and be com bated the ide
that the work of the graduate is done
declaring that unless the night meant
step in his education he rad only beef
wasting the years of his life.
For time the speaker dwelt upol
the origin of the word commence
ment" as at present used. Its origil
goes back to the Middle Ages, whe
the ambition of a young man was t.
he knight. and when be had attaine
the highest point of knighthood jus
began his career. In the latter part O
the Middle Ages came something create
than knighthood when the knight en-
gagged IN the service OF truth and be
came doctor or teacher of other men
So the commencement stands for tn
idea that the young men and youn
women come not to complete nut
begin something higher thnn ever.
DIR. Thompson seemed to have littl
slA hk e.. tt,..f