The times., 1899-06-21
THE COLORED GRADUATES.
Commencement Exercises of TIL
Normal and High Schools,


public schools of the District comprising
the colored Normal and High Schools.
were held last night at the Academy of
Music. A class of twenty-five was grad
uated from the Normal School and ninety
one certificates awarded to pupils who had
finished the course in the various divi-
sons of the High School. Commissioner
John W. Ross conferred the diplomas, and
the address to the graduating class was
delivered by Representative White of
North Carolina. A programme embracing
orations, essays, and valedictories, inter-
spersed with selections by Hoffman's
orchestra. combined to make up an even
ing of entertainment which did great
credit alike TO the scholars and faculty
of the schools represented
The theatre was packed from pit to gal
lery with enthusiastic friends of the grad
yates. The classes presented very strik-
ing appearance, arranged as they were in
rising tiers of seats, completely filling the
large stage. The young ladies'. which COM
prised the greater part of the classes,
were gowned in white and carried bou-
quets. Along the footlights was arranged
bank of flowers and ferns and on either
side and to the rear of the stage were
placed mammoth palms. in harmony with
the wooded scenery of the stage setting
After the rendition of an overture the
classes marched in single file to their
places to Sousa's Hands Across the Sea-"
Rev. w. ]. Howard pronounced the invo-
cation, and after another selection by the
orchestra, William H. Adams made an ex-
cellent address onS"Our Foreign Posses
sions Commercially Considered" He re-
viewed the recently opened avenues of
enterprise in our island possessions, and
especially urged the opportunities present.
ed TO the colored race in the island of
Hawaii.
Miss Zita E. Dyson, in an essay on
American IDEALS" set forth the virtues
as well as calling attention to some of the
faults of the country. When America was
ready to give the full right and protection
which was given in an ideal form in the
Constitution. she foresaw the development
of the greatest nation of the world in every
respect. Our present great strides forward
were more on the basis of commercial am
bition than on our ideal principles of
humanity and justice
The valor and patriotism of the negro
soldier were depicted in glowing terms by
Robert S. Culley, who reviewed the brave
deeds of the soldiers of his race in all the
wars which this country has engaged in
from the time of the Revolution, and cited
many personal instances .of daring and
courage.
THE Common Defence" was the subject
OF an essay and valedictory by Miss Rachel
E. Guy. The common defence of the race
was education, and the burden of the
speakers remarks was TO urge the pursuit
of knowledge. Miss Guy thanked the
Commissioners. the school trustees, and
faculty on behalf of her class. in a most
graceful manner. She urged her class
mates to keep up the fight for knowledge
and press bravely on in their efforts TO
benefit humanity and themselves.
The closing essay was given by a gradu-
ate for the Normal School, Miss Ursuline
C. Barker, who also acted as valedictorian
for her class. She depicted the beauty of
the development of the child mind, and
showed by her remarks evidences Of the
instruction for teaching that is given in
the Normal School.
After the comforting of diplomas by
Commissioner Ross, Representative White
addressed the graduates, complimenting
them on their past achievements. and Civ
ing them many incentives to go forward
in the course of learning and good citi-
zenship. ITO you, the graduating classes
of these schools" he began, this evening
means great deal. 1t marks not only the
starting point in your careers. but launches
you out on the threshold of a new CEN
tury 1t brings you face to face with new
conditions and enlarged opportunities not
common to those who have gone before
you, and your frienls will note with care
your development and ability to utilize
the forces in hand. 1t is said that this
world owes every man and every woman
living. but l take occasion to remind
you that it is very tardy in paying this
debt unless you strenuously insist upon its
collection"
Mr.. White called special attention to
! the necessity for the cultivation of all
the virtues and intelligence of the present
! representatives of the race, and impressed
| the class with the greater responsibility
! that rested upon them as individuals. He
| paid tribute to the country, and said that
| in America of all places was given an
| opportunity for every race and every peo-
pie to force from the fields of poverty and
! ignorance results that would be a credit
| to any nationality. You can build up
noble. well rounded Christian characters, !"
were Mr.. Whites closing words. be
fitting the true manhood and woman
| hood of any people. You can make wealth,
maintain your character, live honestly and
upright before the world, and make the
world better for having lived in it,
Rev. Sterling N Brown, a member of
the Board of School Trustees. acted as
master of ceremonies, and In his opening
remarks called attention to the suggestive
features of this annual gathering. There
! had been enrolled in the colored schools
of the District during the year over l 300
colored children; thirty-eight school
buildings have been utilized and 3SS teach
ers employed. There was greater need
of more school facilities and the rigid en-
forcement Of the compulsory attendance
law
The following is a list of the graduates:
Normal school--Ursuline Carleton Barker. Heller
| Elizabeth Bell, Nellie Smith Burke, Carrie Wash
ngton Burrill, Frondelena Claudia Butler, viii
lam Actel Coleman, Anna Louise Cornell Mar,
Louise Evans, Lillian Palmer Hill Bertha Grace
Madeline Frances Matthew'S Helen Jessie Moore
Ada Amelia Pinckney. Susie Ellen Scott Marit
Ananora Smith, Ada Elmore Thomas, Marie Eliza
beth Wright, Daisy Augustave Wylie Lawrenc,
Claude Hall Bradley. James Oscar Lucas Archi
bald Mark Ray, Harry Elphonzo Shorter Clarence
King Wormley
High School, academic course-Mary Ellen Am
bier, Mary Eliza Bowie, Isabel Vanc Brooks ELL
Nora Louise Brown. Halle Spofford Brown, Mar
Elizabeth Davis. Florence Virginia Dorsey Bes.i
Dyson, Zta Emma Dyson, Sarah Virginia German
Estec Lydia Gray, Grace Page Green, Adelaid
Ford Hall, Emma Bessie Hall Christine Agne
Harris Mary Magdalene Hawkins Ada NAV Hen
derson, Julia Estelle Jackson, Henrietta Johnsons
| Mary Ann Elizabeth johnson, Marie Jordan Id
Eudora MITCHELL Estelle Virginia Nelson, Char
lotte Elizabeth onley, Mabel Alalvina Pinn Aim
Pitts, Maggie Esther Pleasant, Mary Rebecc
Richards Delilah Emmabee Ross, Augusta Ce
ella Thomas, Eva Alberta Thompson, Melind
Belle Turner, Beatrice Louise Warrick, Dais
Zebra Williams Eva Floracetra Wilson, WilliaI
Arthur Coleman, Clarence Stafford PAYNE, Ere
Branford Syphax, George Wilson Whitted, Josep
Nathaniel Woodward.
Scientific Course.-Alberta Gertrude Brook: