The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-06-28
ONLY THREE
GRADUATES.
DR.. Patrick O'COnnell Ad-
dresses the Small
t, Class.

Final commencement exercises OF the
Howard School were held In the Grand
Opera House last evening. The gradun-
ting class numbered but pupils which
fact seemed to act as dainper on the ex-
ercises OF the evening. There was a large
audience In attendance. The decorations
were Of the utmost simplicity. being Terms
ieSes & ti Of the III
The scholars march ed on the stage from
both sides at the opening of the exercises,
and filed up the centre aisle OF an elevated
tier of seats. All remained standing until
the invocation had been made BY Rev, j..
G. Brock. The arrangement OF the schoi-
ars made an effective scene. Seated ON
tho stage between the scholars aud the
faculty were many citizens interes' cd In
the, educational progress OF Wilmington.
among them being President Shortlidge Of
the Board Of Education, l.. B. Morrow,
John r. Hartman, Mordecai Barnes.
Samuel +. Belts. Professor A. H. Berlin.
Superintendent David w. Harlan, Robert
G. Fraim. Thomas Huey. Daniel Ross
Howard Z. Stats, Ftancis 8. Bradley,
Rev. ]. G. Brock. Thomas Naudain, Rev.
G. l.. Jefferson, George w. Roberts. Dr.
John Palmer Jr., Samuel w. Chambers,
Dr. Benjamin r. Veasey, Professor w. q.
jason, Of the Delaware State College, Rev.
ill Brown. Street and Sewer Director
James d. Carter and others.
Seated at the front of the platform were
the graduates, Miss Rosa Lac Watson,
Miss Mary E. Henry and Miss Helen NJ.
View: the faculty of the school. Or. z.
O'Counell Of Princess Anne, Md. Chris
topher Perry of Philadelphia, and Mrs. +.
J. Coppin OF Philadelphia.
President Shortlidge presided and the
first number Of the exercises was the
chorus" Great Dragon has Subdued Our
Foe" by the scholars under the direction
of Miss L. A. Haywood Of North Carolina.
The rendition OF other literary features iol
lowed. An exercise in callsthenics COM
prised an Interesting feature OF the exer-
cises. Tho exercises were participated IN
by sixteen young women. attirel In loose,
white gowns, and carrying shepherds
crooks. Under the colorsd rays OF cal
oium light, the effect was indeed rre ty
and the exercises were performed without
hitch. The crooks were used to complete
many neat tableaux.
READING THEIR ESSAYS.
The reading Of the essays followed.
Miss Rosa Lee Watson considered Our
Educational Outlook" which sho said In
brighter than ever. fuller opportunities for
acquiring knowledge being offered to the
race"
"rhe Negro as a Soldier" was the sub.
ject of Miss Mary r. Henry's essay. 'Al-
though historians have ignored him the
record of the colored soldier is written in
blood in the annals of time," Miss Henry
declared That freedom has not made
him a coward is demonstrated by the re.
cent war with Spain. Although he has
not bsen wanted he always has been need
ed" Miss Henry referred to the exploits
of colored soldiers in the revolution. war
Of 1912, civil war, and the record OF the
celebrated Twelfth Infantry at San Juan
when they came to the assistance of the
Rough Riders. She held that tho colcred
soldier would be of great service In the
Philippines.
4 "Our People in the Arts" was the theme
Of Miss Helen NJ. View. Her essay was
read by Miss s. r. Brown. After referring
to the distinction acquired by colored mon
and women in the arts, she said thoy are
destined to rise still higher, not by drag.
glng others down, but by receiving help-
ing hand from them. She referred to the
design ON the front of the programme,
made by La wrence J. Harris, a pupil in
the grammar department Of the Howard
School.
Then DR.. O'Connell. who Is principal Of
the Princess Anne Academy, addressed
thouraduates.
The presentation of tho prizes was of
more than ordinary interest to the pupils
and graduates alike. The Board OF Edu-
cation prize, q handsomely bound set of
Victor Hugo's works, was awarded to Miss
Rosa Lee Watson. the presentation being
made by Christopher Perry, editor OF the
Philadelphia Tribune. The Benjamin
Nields prize. q flve-dolar gold piece. was
given to Miss Lillian Clark for excellence
in sewing. Mrs. Fannie J. Coffin who
made tba psesantation speech, is principal
OF the Institute for Colored Youth, at
Philadelphia
Rsv. e. l.. jefferson presented the FL
bert and Stevens prize Of kit of tools to
Louis Comegys. for excellence In manual
training.
The diplomas were conferred by DR..
Shortlidse, who made pleasing Speech
in which he compimented the graduates.
The benedlotlon was pronounced by
Rev J. l.. Brown.
Following the exercises Miss Edwina d.
Kruse, principal of the school, entertained
the speakers and faculty, and members of
tho Board o: Education at her home.