The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-05
REBUKES THE EVERLASTING
F1AULTFINDERS.
TESTIMONIAL TO Mr.. TOMS
Col. Carr FeelingIy Presents the Re-
firing Principal With Gold Watch
on Behalf of the Board
rs
of Education.

| teams are bedecked with white and yell
| low graded school cOlors. The boys and
| girls wear rosettes and streamers of
white and yellow, and well may it be
said that all Durham is led q willing
| captive at the shrine of the white and
| yellow. 1t rs a joyous occasion and no
class of citizens can lay exclusive claim
to its bright joys and pleasures, but they
come to all alike. The rich, the poor, the
high, the low meet on one common level
today and vie with each other in honor
ing the graded school, its superintendent,
| its principal and its corps of most eff
cient teachers, and last but by no means
least, the honorable board of education,
under whose wise, painstaking and eff
Gent management Durham has been
! given the best all-round graded school in
the State.
Last night in the First Baptist church
Rev. Jno. E. White, that wonderfully
| gifted young Baptist divine of your city,
preached the annual sermon. The CON
gregation was such as to have inspired
an ordinary man, but the effect it had
upon the speaker could only be realized
| by those fortunate enough to be there
and hear the gospel truths as they elO-
quently rolled from inspired lips. An at
tempted synopsis would fail in giving
even faint idea of the sermon and
would do great injustice to the occasion.
1t was plethOric with the gospel in its
purity, simple but finished in rhetoric,
and grand and eloquent in delivery. This
occasion alone is sufficient to mark the
young divine great pulpit orator.
The closing exercises of this much
loved institution were begun this morn
ing ut 10 o'clock with a feryent prayer by
Rev. w. G.. Tyner, pastor of the First
Baptist church. The assembly hall was
densey filed with an audience whose
hearts beat in unison for the success of
everything that pertains to the graded
school.
Essays were read by Misses Nina Con-
rad and Lottie Markham. The former
took for her subject Poet Laureates,"
and the latter THE Princess" Both
were we'll prepared, showing thought and
were admirably read.
There was only one defamation, but
the remembrance of it will linger long
and fondly in the minds and hearts of
the true North Carolinians who heard
it. ''Eulogy on Vance" What more APP
prOpiate and inspiring subject in North
Carolina. in an audience of true and
devoted Tar Heels. 1t was great sub
ject and it's mention struck responsive
chord in the hearts of every nearer. For
| tuhate, indeed, was the choice of the
speaker, who was to handle a subject so
near and dear to the hearts of every man,
| woman and child. Martin Umstead, a
| member of the Ninth grade, made this
| speech and though a lad of 10, gives
| abundant evidence of a future great
orator and platform speaker. a good
| voice, graceful gesture, easy manner, he
at once captured his audience. Some day
Martin Umstead will be heard from elO-
! quently and effectively pleading for the
rights of the people.
| Hon. Theo. +. Kluttz, of Salisbury, who
| had been invited to deliver the annual
! address, was introduced by Mr.. '. ).
| Bryant. The strength and power of Mr..
! kluttz as a speaker had preceded him
! and the people were ready and heard
| him gladly. They were not disappointed.
| He came boldly and manfully to the de-
| Tense of North Carolina and her institu-
tions of learning. He has no patience with
that class of people who can see no good
/ in our grand old North State. He regards
her as the best and fairest in the brilliant
galaxy of States in this Union. His de-
Tense Of the University and the colleges
of the State, male and female, was SUI
perb. 1t ought to be printed in every
newspaper in the State. OF the impor-
tance of education he uttered words of
wisdom. In expressing deep and sincere
regrets at the loss of the schools tai
ented and popular superintendent, Prof.
c. w. Toms, he was consoled with the
thought that his place would be supplied
by one of the brightest young Flowers
from his section of the State. This
brought forth a storm of applause and
it was several minutes before he could
proceed.
The prizes, a list of which will be fur
H;shed later, were presented in a chaste
and ornate speech by DR.. w. p. Few
of Trinity College.
Col J. S. Carr in behalf of the Board
of Education, and in a speech of deer
feeling and full of pathos, presented tc
Prof. G.. w. Toms, the retiring superin
tendent a beautiful gold watch and
chain as a slight token of the esteem il
which he is held not only by the board
but by the entire community. This Incl
dent was supremely pleasing, and as evi
dence was cheereu and cheered anC
cheered. As Prof. Tones arose to accep
this gift a cheer from every throat wen
up as from one throat.
The decorations of the hall were eX
uuisite and it must have swelled the
, heart of every Durhamite to feel tina
such ample provision had been made TO
, the education of the minds and hearts o
the poor children OS this community.
Several new books on "Sanctiication'
have appeared in the South within a few
years. 1t may possibly split the Methods
Episcopal church. 1t is announced tina