The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-24
His Honor, Mayor Mayo Makes an Admir-
y able and Earnest Address. !,
He SPEAKS PLAIN WORDS ABOUT Duty
The object and Results of the Night
school-Tho Effort Mutual ono
Other Features of the Reception
Tho Programs Delightful Han>
quet.

. Z Z.
christian association was held last
night, and was one OF special enjoyment
from start to finish
The invited guests began to arrive
about 1880 O'Clock, and at were ush-
cred into the gymnasium, where q
sumptious repast was spread.
The programme began with q cornet
solo by MIR. j. B. Gordon, followed by
refreshments, after which Mayor w. II.
Mayo delivered the address of the
evening.
In turn Mr.. Robert TAFT, president of
the association. and Mr.. W. ~. En-
monds, Of the mechanical drawing class,
Mr.. Q. w. Trueworthy. instructor of
the mechanical drawing class; Mr.. A.
III. Campbell, of the shorthand class,
and MIR. w. p. Earnest, of the vocal
music class, made brief speeches on
the work of their respective classes. all
speaking in highest terms OF the ad-
vantages offered TO the young men of
Norfolk by the Y. NJ. c. A. in this de-
partment of Its magnificent work.
professor Charles Borjes rendered two
beautiful violin selections, which were
enjoyed very much, and were heartily
applauded
The Mayors speech was, in greater
part, as follows F,
Gentlemen of the Educational Com
L.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t has been said that he who causes
TWO blades of grass to grow where
only one grew before, is a public bene-
factor What does this mean, my
friends? Simply shat he who renders
an increase OF good in the world more
possible because by unsefish and un-
firing effort he has succeeded in dou-
bling the opportunities for doing good,
thereby king &c
pier, Is q public benefactor.
Ihis truth, for 1t is a great truth. Is
as applicable to an association of in
ulViduals as 1t is 10 the Individual. and
the greater number of blades Of grass
the association may cause to grow
where only one blade grew before. the
greater public benefactor it is. If this
ne So now many times has sthis Y. NJ
=. a. proved itself to be here in Nor
FOLK. such a beneCactor? Working
jealousy and intelligently day by day.
year by year, 1t has gone on planting
the good seed of efforts which have
brought forth increasingly the fruit of
happiness; but of all its efforts. in my
judgment, none is more worthy if as
much SO, as the efforts TO establish this
night school. ..rs.
believe that in some cities of our
country the public revenue permitting
or the expenditure necessary, such
schools MS you have started here, are
made part Of the public school sys-
tenn. we, as city, not being able TO
do this are more than fortunate in hay-
Ing in our midst an association which,
Is willing to take up the work and
make 1t a part of Its system of well do
ing. This alone should bring generous
contributions to this association from
an appreciative public, and l believe
II Will when your school is more widely
known. There are hundreds of good
citizens, youths and young men, who,
buckting on their armur in the. early
morning with stout hearts, enter the
field of hfes struggle, and bearing
themselves manfully through the heat
and burden Of the day till evening
closes on them, knowing this school
will seek refuge here as gladly as their
welcome will be for the purpose of Sc
curing that rest and new strength which
Will send them to the fray on the NOR
row renewed with hope and assurance
or victory. This is what the school
means.
II Is intended to strengthen the arms
20 give new courage TO and to place bet
ter weapons In the hands of those who
are honestly and uprightly in the face
of all odds, keeping their faces TO thn
FOE In battle which interests vitnlly
every individual In this community
the battle of life. II is an armory which
TINS association has established, from
Whieh may be drawn keener and moro
etteS'ual weapons wherewith to fight
your battles and mine, and YOU and
and all of us should help to maintain
~. Herous men and women. believing,
as all such do In the fraternity Of man
must recognize this obligation.
This Y. NJ. c. a., in starting this
school has done so In the full per
formance OF what it felt 10 be n dutv.
you, gentlemen. and the night school
ny responding to this effort have ron
dered 1t possible of success. You have
set thereby good example to num-
hers of other young men. who. not en-
ooying the privilege of day schools.
cannot but believe will follow it. and
in thus acting you have performed a
plain duty, no less high than that
which the Y. NJ. G. A. displayed in
putting for tn the effort
In another sense. too. and n very i'm
portant sense, you are performing a
public duty by coming here You NAV
ieel that you come only for the purpose
OF personal gain. That YOU do come for
personal gain is true sand lauda bic. but
just as we may all strive to improve our
selves, and do improve ourselves. ius.
so dc we perform II public duty to our
State. Each one of you who comes TO
this school in the evening and carries
away that knowledge which he had not
when he came. by just so much is he
capable of performing better service TO
the state and to his city. and not only
to himself. This Is inevitable And here
again YOU enable this association TO
honor itself nesmuch rs It, through
you, Is enabled to blaze out a road to
broader and higher citizenship; and I
am constrained to feel that the burden
Of obligation, If any, rests more heavily
upon 1t.
But, fter all. my friends. the effort Is
a mutual one. Not only this association,