The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-21
PRESIDENT GIVES DIPLOMAS.
GRADUATES or SMITH COLLEGE,
SPECIALLY HONORED.

An Incident the Young Ladies' win
Remember for Many Years TO
COme-Signiiled His Acceptance OF
the Degree of Ill. D.-GIad That the
Girl Is Securing the same Advan-
tages ms the Doy-Graduates Gave
Him "a Hammer.
South HadIey, Mass, June 20-Com-
mencement to-day at Mount Hoyoke Coll
lege was made a national event by the
participation of President Mckinley who
with Mrs. Mckinley, Assistant Secretary
of the Navy Allen ana members OF his Of
fcial family, had come here 20 witness the
graduation of Miss Grace Mckinley, the
Presidents niece.
Gov. Roger Woleott and Mrs. Wolcott
and others of political and social proml-
nence also attended the exercises.
President Mckinley presented the grad
yates with theh diplomas and degrees.
The preparations for welcoming the
visitors although simple, We're cordial and
appropriate. The decorations about tho
town, particularly on the houses near the
college, Were picturesque. No attempt at
general decoration OF the institution
buildings had been made beyond the drap-
ing of a few American flags. The inte-
rlor of the chapel. however, was adorned
with flags and bunting, and the generous
use of potted plants, palms and cut fiow-
ers produce very pleasing effect
The town was crowded with visitors ear
ly In the day. The people seemed TO ex-
pect that, somehow or other, an oppor-
tunity would be given them TO sAake hands
with the President, and so the college
grounds were thronged some time before
the hour scheduled for the beginning OF
the days programme.
The President Arrives.
The President and his party reached here
at 10 o'clock. Rev Dr. j. r. l.. Trask and
Rev hudson smith, of the board of trus-
tees Of Mount Ilolyoke College, were watt
| Ing for Them at the entrance to the college
| grounds. The visitors were escorted TO the
chapel, and as the President, leaning upon
the arm Of Or. Smith, appeared at the en-
trance the audience arose.
After the regular commencement exer-
! cises, President Mckinley was escorted to
the front OF the platform by Mrs. Meade,
| president of the college. Upon table near
at hand lay the diplomas, AS the MUSIC
ceased, tho President raised one OF the
rolls and the name II bore was that OF has
niece, Miss Grace Mckinley. The young
lady advanced, received the diploma and
shook hands with the President This was
the only demonstration made by any OF tho
| graduates aside from the usual bow and
| expression Of thanks.
As the last diploma was presented and
the President was about TO resume his
seat DIR. Trask arose and addressing Mr..
Mckinley. announced that Mount Holy
oSe College wished TO confer upon him tn
degree OF LII. D. The President accepted
the honor in the following words:
Accepted Degree of LII. ID.
"Mrs. Meade, Ladies and Gentlemen
cannot refrain from making an acknowl-
edgment IN this presence Of che very dis
tingushed honor which the board of trus-
| tees and officers of this institution have
| been pleased TO confer upon me. l want
| to assure the young ladies' OF the graduate
ing class that / am both delighted and
honored 20 be a member Of q class OF nv.
! Massachusetts has been and IS first IN
| many things, but In nothing more than IN
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 the women, ana | count
| myself most fortunate to-day TO look UP
on the faces Of the graduates Of this giorl-
ousy historic institution, that has done
| so much for the eXaliation OF women, ana
whose influence Is felt not only In Massa-
chusetts, but In every part OF our common
mount Holycke Is more than 60 years
Old to-day and the Influence OF this in-
stitution in moulding and shaping the citi-
zens OF the nation can never be told.
II am g.ad that we ara demonstrating I'm
the United States to-day that the boy
shall have no more advantages than the
girl and Mount Holyoke and Smith and
Che haH dozen other institutions of the
land are demonstrating that fact.
IAN educated Womanhood Is an open
school for citizenship every day of the year
ana the home Is the training school for the
mother, the soldier and statesman. wish
for this graduating class all good things
and j want you 10 be assured that all good
things walt upon pure and noble wo-
man.
At the close Of the Presidents deliver
ance Of the degrees, beautiful purpe
banner inscribed: Mount Holyoke, 49,"
was presented to him by the graduating
class
He Is Twice an LII. ID.