Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-07-13

Clayton. July 6. The patriotic way
In which the Fourth was kept at ST.
Joseph's School for Coored Orphans,
in this town, is an event to be remem-
bered by all who shared in it. For
DAVIS previous the boys of the school
nut forth their best energies in making
preparations for the occasion and their
efforts were crowned with success as
was seen by the enthusiasm OF all
present.
The beautiful triple archway, built
of stone, which gives access to the
grounds, as we'll as several OF the
buildings were Respondent in red,
white and blue. The exercises began
at 3. 80 o'clock with a parade around
the grounds 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, Tho
Institute Band came next, in hand
some 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 regiment of national guards.
The clergy of the home in carriages,
accompanied by the Rev. DIR. Wheedon,
pastor of the P. 4. Church; the Rev.
j, r. Slattery of Baltimore, L. b.
Donovan of Richmond and United
States District Attorney William
Michael Byrne, brought up the rear.
On returning to the grounds halt
was made in front Of the admins
rration building. The piazza, which
was tastefully festooned, served as a
platform. The Rev. I. B. Donovan of
st. Joseph's Colored Church, Rich
mond, Va, opened with the prayer OF
Archbishop Carroll. Then Rev. }. 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
o mastery, expressive address. Tic
began with sketch of the life and
deeds of the Hon. John M. 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 o.
valor in the Civil War and in the late
Spanish American conflict He praisee
the members of St Joseph s Society
for their labors in behalf of the negro
in order to raise him to true standard.
of American citizenship.
bus he then presented to the institut,
beautiful flag of silk. At the SAINT
moment the institute band struck VI
1.-THE Star-Spangled Banner, th
entire audience uncovering and stand
ing. The Very Rev. j. r. Slattery o
Baltimore, then stepped forward AM
in behalf of the Rev. L. j. Welbers
president of the home, accepted tn
fay, thanking heartily the Knights Q
Columbus and their eloquent repre-
sentative, the United States Distric
Attorney for Delaware.
John Mason of Austin, Texas fol
lowed on 1.-THE American Republic.
Then the Rev. NJ. b. Slice of the inst
tute closed the ceremonies with bent
diction. Throughout tho Institui
Band varied with the speakers b
filling the air with their strains {
martial airs. The menu at tabl,
printed by the boys, announced
family banquet, which was prepare
and cooked by the boys themselves.
fact, il was the boys day, and evel
detail of it was theirs. The whole r
fleets great credit on the management
A large display of fireworks at
o'clock at night thoroughly enjoyed
the institute boys and the citizens
Clayton, crowned up memorable da
Above all, it was red-letter day
st. Joseph's Industrial School
Colored Boys, Clayton, Del.