The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-06-21
THE PRESIDENTS
VERY BUSY DAY
At Mount IIolyokc College Com.
mcncement. Where his
Niece Graduated.
HE PRESENTS THE DIPLOMAS
And Makes a Very Graceful
Speech Which is a Tribute
to Educated Womanhood.

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. June co.
President Mckinley. participated in the
commencement exercises ut Mount
Holyoke College to-day. awarding the
diplomas to the senior class, among
whom was his niece, Miss Grace Nc
Kiniey, dnd accepting In Il brief address
the degree Of doctor Of civil laws con-
ferred upon him by the college. The
President and party came from Holy
oke by electric cur this morning. After
the college exercises, the President held
4 reception on Il platform In front Of the
village church. shaking hands with 2468
people. Then the visitors returned to
the Whiting mansion In Holyokc by
electric car. Tomorrow President Nc
Kinley and party will enjoy steamer
ride down the Connecticut river to
Springfield, where there will be n re-
ception and q parade. and ut p. m. the
party will leave Springfield for Adams,
Mass, by special train.
The President and party left the
Whiting house at $3.50 this morning on
the electric car Rockrimmon and at the
railroad station Governor Wolcott and
wife, Adjutant General Dalton and Col.
Morgan We're taken aboard. South Had
leys preparations for welcoming the
visitors were simple, but cordial and
appropriate.
The President ard his party reached
here at 10 o'clock. Rev. J. L. r. Trask
Of trustees OF Mount Holyoke College,
were waiting for them at the entrance
to the college grounds. The visitors
We're escorted TO the chapel and as the
President, leaning on the arm OF Dr..
Smith. appeared at the entrance, the
audience arose.
The President and the gentlemen who
accompanied him were given seats on
the platform. Mrs. Mckinley. Mrs.
Wocott and the other ladies of the par
ty sat at the right in the auditorium.
The seniors occupied the front rows.
After devotional exercises, DR.. Smith
read an address. his subject being "A
plea for the humanities." In closing he
welcomed the guests and introduced
Governor Wolcott. who spoke at some
length. Then. while the chorus was
singing. President Mckinley was es-
corted to the front of the platform by
Mrs. Mead, president Of the college.
Upon a table near at hand lay the dt-
plomas. AS the music ceased the PrcsI-
dent raised one Of the rolls and the
name 1t bore was that OF his niece, Miss
Grace Mckinley. The young lady ad-
vanced. received the diploma and shook
hands with the President. This was the
only demonstration made by the gradu
ates aside from the usual bow and ex-
preston OF thanks
AS the last diploma was presented
and the President was about to resume
his seat, Dr.. Trask arose, and, address,
Ing President Mckinley, announced that
Mt. Holyoke College wished to confer
upon him the degree OF Doctor of Civil
Laws. The President accepted the
honor in the following words:
Presidents Address.
Mrs. Mead. Ladies and Gcntlemen:-
l cannot refrain from making ncknowl-
edgement In the presence OF the very
distinguished honor which the board OF
trustees and officers OF this institution
have been pleased to confer upon me. l
want to assure the young ladies' OF the
graduating class that l am both de-
lighted and honorcd to be u member of
class OF '09. Massachusetts has been
and is first in many things, but In moth
ing more than In educational instltu-
tions.
Il count myself most fortunate to
have been privileged yesterday to look
upon the faces Of graduates Of Smith
college, that splendid institution of
learning for the education Of women,
and count this the most fortunate day
to look upon the faces OF the gradua tes
OF the glorious historic Institution, that
hns done so much for the cxnltntion of
woman. and whose influence Is felt not
only In Massachusetts but In every par,
of our common country.
Mt. Holyc!Ie Is more than sixty years
old to-day and the influence of this In
s,ltusion in moulding and shaping the
citizens Of the nation can never be told.
II am glad that We nrc dcmon-
strntinE In the United States to-day
TINT the boy shall have no more advan.
tages than the girl, and Mount IIolyokc
and Smith and the half dozen other In
stitutions of the land are demonstrate ing
that fact.
IAN educated womanhood IL nm open
school for citizenship every day OF the
year and the home Is the training school
for the mother. the soldier and the
statesman. wish for this graduating
class all good things and want you TO
be assured that all good things wait
upon pure md noble woman"
AT the close OF the Presidents deliver
ance Of the degrees n beautiful purple
banner Inscribed: mount Holyoke 99'
was presented TO him.
Mere Receptions.
at tho close of the exercises, the COM
pnny retired to Mary Brigham Hall.
where the President retired for half an
hours rest.
AT O'clock. n reception was held on
platform erected IN front Of the local
church Mt which the President shook
hands with 2,40O people. and then the
party returned to the Whiting house nt