The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-07
FREDERICKSBURG, '
PRINCE WILLIAM NORMAL SCHOOL.
The commencement Exercises and Annual
Celebration Of the Eicol Literary Society.
Brentsville, Va. June Ash

4 lt NlNul ltittthAJ ReNtNfE
annual celebration. Long before the
hour appoipsed for the doors Of the hall
to be opened the village was crowded
with visitors from far and near, and as
the house filled to over hjwiDg numbers
clustered around the doors and win
dows. The exercises opened with music
By the choral class, directed by Prof.. ).
@ Beahm. The salutatory was deliV'
cred by Miss Viola Splitter. Oreditable
work by members of the society follow
cd. One Of the most entertaining produc'
tions was solilcquy by Mr. II X. Hall.
He impersonated an ambitious young
student endeAvoring to write flourish
ing essay on Beauty with signal
failure. He succeeded in bringing be-
fore the mind and eyes Of the audience
how stupendous thing 1t Is to think
when the mind is balky. An original
speech by Miss Daisy Early on The
Humble Origin Of Great Men. and an
oration on Hero Worship " by Mr. +.
S. Hoon deserve special praise. But
the feature Of the entertainment was
the debate-resolved, THAT Heredity
Is a Greater Force Than Environ
ment" Affirmative speakers, q. q.
Berkheimer and &. NJ Oolvin; mega
tive speakers. +. p. Miller and J. ID. Rol-
Inns. We are not bestowing unmerited
praise when we say this discussion
would have reflected credit on students
OF universities. The speeches were
forceful, analytical and complete IL
will not dim the lustre Of the others to
mention the speech made by Mr. +. Z.
Miller as one Of remarkable brilliancy.
Added 20 his well.chosen premises and
logical deductions were a pleasing per-
sonality, voice Of great volume and
magical sweetness, and an eloquent and
imprisoned style. Mature has lavishly
fitted this young man for the polemical
arena. The audience was much disap'
pointed in not hearing the promised
address by Prince Williams popular
and gifted son. J. b. T. Thornton.
The exercises closed with music by q
male quartette, sleep. My Love-
Sleep"
On the following morning the regular
commencement program OF the Prince
William Normal A" was given. The
hall. as on the previous evening, was
thing Of beauty. Immediately over the
rostrum was magnificent floral anchor
and from this ropes Of roses were sus-
pended, giving the place an air OF en-
chantment. 1t looked as tho Queen Nab
with her train Of fairies had been OF
work converting the barren walls INTO
living habitations Of bloom and fra
GRANGE. The house was crowded to Its
utmost capacity. After prayer oy
Prof. J. o. Beahm and music by the
class. "His Angels are Waiting for
Thee. " the salutatory was delivered In
graceful manner by Miss K. E. Early
It is needless to mention the WORK
done by each one, but it gives as pleas
ure TO state that it was all of a high
order and both teachers and pupils de-
serve our highest commendation. AL
oration. Lost Power, =" by Mr. ". o.
Read. evidenced much research. keef
delineation. a masterful array OF fact
and impressive style Of delivery. Mis-
Vernie Baker gave an Grafton also
Her theme was 1.-THE Spider Takeil
Hold with Her Hands and is Found IL
Kings Palaces. Every subject thi
young lady discusses glows with th'
fire of her genius. Her thoughts are a.
clear and sparkling as the limpid water
of the Pyerian spring from which sh'
has drank deep. The valedictory wa
delivered by Mr.. J. A. Seese. Hi
subject was "A Foundation. " Tot
muoh cannot be said in praise Of thii
vouu0 man and his work. We have
been informed by one Of his fellow stu
dents that he stood first and foremost II
all his classes. In the absence OF Rev
A. r. Snedegar, Professor Oriss wa
appointed by the masters Of ceremonies
TO deliver the diplomas TO the twt
graduates. He responded in a graceful
happv vein and Miss Verni'
Baker and Mr.. J. A. Seese wer'
declared Bachelors Of Pedagogy
The next in order was the an
nual address to the school by Professor
r. o. Stearnes. Goldsmith has sai'
that it is by comparison we reach on
highest enjoyment, and after a menta
feast Of unusual quality, we could sal
with the guests as the marriage feast II
Cana. '1he best had been reserved
for the last. for it isseldom indeed tina
any people have q greater intellectual
treat than was given us by this hon
orable gentleman. He is one OF tn
leading educators Of the State as vel
as brilliant apostle Of Blackstone. Hi
subject was Democracy Militant AM
] Triumphant. He led US back thro
the dim vistas Of the past to the M
cleus from which Democracy sprung
and down the ages Of Asistic, Spartan
Grecian and Roman struggles for
government Of the people. for th
people. and by the people. eve
to our own magnificent strue
gle aud victory for independence
and self.government. In glowing an
eloquent terms he painted Il
self governing principle as Cor
given and divine and demonstrate
how it had prospered and blossomed
the rose under the fostering care Of trV
Democracy. Aided by the magic war
Of history. that great chronicler OF 81