Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-06-16
Sherherd College Commencement.

Shepherd College State Normal School
ended Tuesday night with the exercises
of the graduating class, and another
year of successful work is recorded in the
schools history. We print below full
report of the exercises of the commence
ment week, beginning with Thursday
night June 9Th.
THE CONTEST.
On Thursday night, June 9Th, the con-
test between the Ciceronian and Par
thenian Literary Societies was held.
Promptly at eight O'Clock the contestants
took their position on the stage, after
which the college song was sung by the
school. The contest was then opened by
Katie Mckee, who represented the {. L.
S. as first year declaimer. In aclear and
forcible manner Miss Mckee acclaimed
Virginia" and the beauty and pathos
of her selection was strikingly displayed.
r. y. Duke, the Parthenian declaimer,
then followed with humorous selection
entitled, "Old Ace" Mr.. Duke entered
into the spirit of his defamation in
way that was highly pleasing to the au-
dience. After this solo and chorus,
"The Mother Of the Girl I Love, was
sung by Lutte Alstadt and school. Agnes
Hess, the c. L. S. middle year declaimer,
then delivered "The Death.Bed of Bene-
dict Arnold" Miss Hess showed that
she had mastered even the most difficult
parts Of her selection, and the way Ill
which she gave the death-scene deserved
special praise. She was followed by
Margaret Welshans, who in behalf of the
P. L. S. acclaimed ''Ben Hur's Chariot
Race" The force and energy which
Miss Welshans put into her defamation
we'll adapted it TO bring out the exciting
incidents Of the description. After a
medley, sung by the school, the orations
were taken up. {. H. Herbert, repre-
senting the {. L. S., took for his subject
Upward or Downward" The Grafton
was written in logical form and deliv-
cred in an eloquent and forcible manner.
Nellie Butler then followed with an ora
ton, "The Supremacy of Thought, >
Written, as her production was, III a
graceful style, and delivered in pleas
ing way, Miss Butler failed not to leave
an impression upon her hearers. a solo
was then beautifully rendered by jamie
Strider, after which the debate was taken
up. The question was, Resolved, That
concentrated wealth is greater menace
to our government than unrestricted I'M
migration" The affirmative was dis
cussed by the Parthenians, the negative
by the Ciceronians The debate was
opened by Clara Greenwood, who earn
estly upheld the affirmative. Miss Green
wood showed that she was interested in
her subject and that she wished to im-
press upon the audience the truth of her
statements. B. +. Sperow followed on
the negative. His manuscript was well
prepared and contained many excellent
points. The affirmative was again sup
ported in a very logical and sensible
speech by George Unseld. A. L. KILLER
then defended the negative. Mr. Kib-
Ter was at his best and his argument was
made strong by the force which he put
into his delivery.
The contest was now finished, and the
Judges, Rev. Mr.. Carnahan and Rev.
Mr.. Chamberlain, of Keedysville, and
Mr.. Craig, of the Hagerstown public
schools, retired to make their decision,
and much time was consumed, during
which the Glee Club sang several OF
their spirited songs. Rev. Mr.. Cham
berlain then announced the decision OF
the Judges. The Grafton and debate,
seventy points, were given to the Cicero
MAN Society, while the declamations
thirty points, were awarded to the Par
theniaus.
The contest showed that the work of
both societies during the past year has
been most successful, and that the mem-
bers have been willing to strive not
merely for their own personal gain, but
for the upbuilding Of Shepherd College,
an institution dear to everyone of them.
ADDRESS BEFORE THE SOCIETIES.
The annual address before the Par
thenian and Ciceronian Literary Socie-
ties was delivered Friday evening by
Prof. L. c. Woolery, Of the West Virgin
ia University, Morgantown. Mr.. H. H.
Pendleton, of the Parthenian Literary
Society, with few appropriate remarks
introduced the speaker Prof. Woolery S
address was one Of the best ever deliv-
cred before the societies. He took for
his subject "Crses i'll Life, " and referred
to various events i'll history where the
destiny Of the world hung on pivot
In a side address he spoke Of the classics
and why we should study them. His de-
Tense for them was earnest and logical,
and all who listened to the address as
suredly realize the Importance Of this
study. At the close of the address Miss
Katharine Lucas, president Of the Cic-
eronian Society, on behalf Of the stu
dents, presented the speaker with a
handsome bouquet Of roses.
THE BACCALAUREATE SERMON.
The baccalaureate sermon was deliv-
cred by Rev. VIM. II. Nelson, D. D.,
in Trinity Episcopal Church, Sunday
evening at So'clock. The students met
at the college and proceeded to the
church in body. DR.. Nelson preached
an excellent sermon, based on the 2Ist
verse of the Sth chapter of Judges; Gas
a man is, so is his strength" The prin-
cipal thought of the discourse was indi-