The Portland daily press., 1899-06-29


land High school occurred yesterday after
noon when the class of 100 received diplo-
mas In spite Of the rain, which doubt
less deferred many people from attending
these pleasing exercises. City Hall was
crowded to the very doors. Every seat
was occupied at half past twp o'clock and
many were forced to stand the entire af-
ternoon.
The decorations which were put up by
the class of 1900, we're in excellent taste.
They were designed by Mr.. Smaller q.
Cushing of the Longfellow gallery. The
plan was to represent the class pin In
illuminated colors. In the centre of the
rear Of the platform was u large diamond
soaring the letters "P. II. s." Over
this were the initials of the class motto
L.. e. II. Lahore ct honore). Under
meath were the figures 49," This had
a background of crimson behind which
were placed electric lights which illumi-
mated the entire design. The whole was
draped In the class oolors, crimson and
white, while the front of the stage was
also draped In the same oolors. Potted
RfohtS1 palms oAiA . PAOAhoiOh VI hcWSEc
were everywhere in evidence and added
much to the beauty of the decorations.
On the platform at the left OF the stage
were seated His Honor, Mayor Frank w.
Robinson. the experimenting school com.
mittee. Principal Albro K. Chase of the
High school and his corps of teachers.
the Very Rev. Dean stills, D. D., and
several others.
The graduates. 100 In number, marched
onto the stage while a young lacy of the
junior class executed march upon the
piano. The graduates seated themselves
at the right of the stage. the young ladies
all gowned In white. occupying the front
seats, while the young men were behind
them. When all were seated the large
stage was nearly filled.
The exercises opened with the singing
of the class ong which was an appropri-
ate little poem of three stanzas written
by Miss Edith X. Small, and set to music
by Mr.. Roger r. Brunei. Miss Thislna
G. Winslow played the accompaniment to
the song.
The Very Rev. Dean Stills. d. D.. then
Ouereu prayer anu neXb came
THE SALUTATORY
by Mr.. Foye M. Murphy. Mr. Murphy
las a very pleasing manner and fne
voice. His delivery of the salutatory was
exceedingly well done and he was gene.
rousIy applauded. After welcoming the
audience. the school committee and the
Mayor, Extending graceful greeting to
the junior class and his own classmates,
Mr. Murphy proceeded to discuss the in
ternational peace conference at The
Hague. He said:
The great question which is just now
agitating the whole world and which
our late war with Spain brings somewhat
foroibly to our minds Is, How to stop
or even lessen the burdens Of warfare. +"
War brings to che victorious as well as
the defeated nation most disastrous re-
suits. No country ever emerged from
a conflict unirjured. This is true Of the
individuals, the families and the nation
al a whole. Many young man who
survives the war has had his prospects In
lie niighted In the camp or ON che bat
tlefield, and many q happy home has
been ruined by the loss of the strong arm
which supported 1t. The nation is thrown
into debt by the running exp nses of war,
aud pt in debt by the enormous pension
bill which follows. These results are the
ratural and familiar effects of war; but
there Is another consequence which. al
THOUGH formerly not SO conspicuous in
our country. has lately been brought be-
fore the American public by the army
appropriation bill and the order for new
ships OF war; 1t Is the Immense arma-
ments which safeguard the great nations.
Hundreds OF millions of dollars are an
nually spent to procure frightful weapons
af aaef rt7sx f.k N.I
tnvincible, are tomorrow rendered useless
by greater inventions. The money spent
for one of ths new disappearing guns at
the Portland Head Notifications would
pay for 20 cannons such as were used in
the Civil War; and the cost of single
discharge from one OF these rifiad guns
Is 40 times that of the largest cannon of
'6i. This constantly augmenting burden
makes every Intelligent pefson shudder to
think of the future andlthe burden it will
bring unless steps are taken in preven-
tion. IL there were no necessity for war
expenditures how much.it would add to
| the public prosperity.
just imagine what would result If the
immense sums paid for ornaments In
times of peace were devoted to the de-
selOpment OF roads. the laying out Of
parks and the establishment OF schools,
colleges, public libraries and art galleries
striking example of the evil Is found
in Russia. The people, however. are
now beginning to realize how m uch this
outlay hinders their advancement. Bent
low under the weight of war taxation.
they see the need Of a change which must
come, though but slowly. The greatest
| international movement tending to abol-
ish or even alleviate the tremendous war
burden Is - assembling of the peace
90 igIess which is now In session at The
s-Aague.