Smyrna times., 1899-07-12
CELEBRATION AT CLAYTON.
PATRIOTIC EXERCISES AT ST. JOSEPFS
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
Address for the Occasion Given by the
Hon. William Michael Byrne
of Wilmington.


of Wilmington.
The patriotic way in which the
Fourth was kept at ST Joseph's School
for COlored Orphans, in Clayton, is an
event to be remembered by all who
shared in it.
The beautiful triple archway, built
of stone, which gives access to the
grounds, as we'll as several of the
buildings were resplendent in red,
white and blue. The exercises began
at $3.50 O'Clock with parade around
the gIounds and through the town
of Clayton. Several stalwart steeds
mounted by the largest boys, who were
dressed in white duck trousers and
wore regalia, led the march. The
Institute Band came next, in hand
sOmely uniforms of maroon and gold,
playing national airs. They were fol-
lowed by the cadets of the Institute in
uniform and carrying rifles. Their
marching was perfect and would do
credit to aregiment of national guards.
The clergy of the home in carriages,
accompanied by the Rev. DIR. Weeden,
pastor of the P. E. Church; the Rev.
j. r. Slattery of Baltimore, T. B.
Donovan of Richmond aud United
States District Attorney William
Michael Byrne, brought up the rear.
On returning to the grounds a halt
was made in front of the admins
tration building. The piazza, which
was tastefully festooned, served as a
platform. The Rev. L. B. Donovon of
st. Joseph's Colored Church, Rich
mond, Va, opened with the prayer of
Archbishop Carroll. Then Rev. J. J.
Nally of Watertown, Mass, read the
Declaration of Independence and was
followed by the orator of the day, Hon.
William Michael Byrne, who delivered
a mastery, expressive address. He
began with a sketch of the life and
deeds of the Hon. John NJ. Clayton,
after whom the town is named. He
rehearsed with pride the part which
Delawareans took in the War of the
Revolution; he told of their deeds of
valor in the Civil War and in the late
Spanish American conflict. He praised
the members of st. Joseph's Society
for their labors in behalf of the negro.
in order to raise him to true standards
Of American citizenship.
On behalf of the knights of Colum-
bus he then presented to the institute
a beautiful flag of silk. At the same
moment the institute band struck up
''The Star-Spangled Banner" the
entire audience uncovering and stand
ing. The Very Rev. J. r. Slattery of
Baltimore then stepped forward and
in behalf of the Rev. L. ]. Welbers,
president of the home, accepted the
flag, thanking heartily the knights of
Columbus and their eloquent repre-
sentative, the United States District
Attorney for Delaware
John Mason of Austin, Texas, fol-
lowed on "The American Republic. -
Then the Rev. NJ. B. Slice of the insti-
tute closed the ceremonies with bene-
dictiOn. Throughout the Institute
Band We'd with the speakers by
filling the air with their strains of
martial airs. The menu at table,
printed by the boys, announced a
family banquet, which was prepared
and cooked by the boys themselves. In
fact, it was the boys day, and every
detail of it was theirs. The whole re-
fleets great credit on the management.
A large display of fireworks at 9
O'Clock at night thoroughly enjoyed by
the institute boys and the citizens of
Clayton, crowned up a memorable day.
Above all, it was a red-letter day for
St. Joseph's Industrial School for
Colored Boys, Clayton, Del.