The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-31

Amid a scene of 1oveliness. clappine of hands, hearty congratulations and surrounded by scores of admirine friends, thirty-one young women at the Montgomery Theatre last night receiv. ed their diplomas which with the ex. ception of the link of remembrance severed the chain which bound them to school days. Today they step out into the world. leaving behind them the school days the girlhood days and enter a new hfe-the life of a woman. The commencement exercises of the Montgomery Public Schools last night were brilliant. The Theatre was filled with friends of the young graduates, Every seat in the parquette. dress cir- cle and gallery was occupied.
 The stage had the appearance of . vast flower garden, a bank of lovely flowers lined the row of footlights, while the orchestra railing was piled high with boxes of candy.
 A magnificent scene was presented when the curtain was rolled up. It almost seemed as though the place had been transformed into fairyland. 4hirty-one young women seated in a semi-circie filled the background of the stage. Each was dressed in white or- gandie, and carried punches of carna- tons in their hands. It was a hard matter for the audience to decide which was the loveliest, the bunch of flow CTS placed alongside the front of the stage. or the bevy of young women seated in the background.
 Near the front of the stage were seated Hon. J. B. Graham of Talla- dega, the orator. of the evening, Messrs. c. F. Moritz and E. J. Meyer of the Board of Education; Messrs. John c. Finley and John P. Kohn members of the School Committee of the City Council.
 The Exercises Begin.
 The exercises began with an over ture by the orchestra, after which the
 graduating Class recited the Lords Prayer in unison.
 Miss Nomia Carter delighted the vast audience with a vocal solo. Her splen- did voice was heard at its best. and she was enthusiastically encored.
 The song "Comin' Thro the Rye." by Miss Mamie Bell, assisted by the pam tomime work of the members of the Graduating Class was greatly enjoyed.
 One of the most delightful features of the evening was the violin solo by by Miss Carolyne Cohn, who was &C., companied on the piano by Miss Dora Sternfield. Miss Cohn selected Fan tasie Caprice" Veuxtemps. She is one of the most gifted young women of Montgomery. She handles the bow with a master touch and the sweet peals of the melody found harmony in the soul of the audience. At the con- clusion of the selection Miss Cohn was greeted with a most flattering encore.
 Address by MT. Graham.
 Hen. Joseph B. Graham of Talladega, vention, delivered the literary address He was introduced by MT. Charles F. Moritz.
 MT. Graham, as a preliminary to his remarks, paid a glowing tribute to the Southland. He seid the stories of the South before the war; the plantations. and the palatial homes. the chivalry of the men and the beauty of the women, came to his mind like legends of the mythologicsl period. He hoped that some genius, like Scott, would arise and weld them into immortal story. He said that the old conditions have disappeared; nothing remains save crumbling mansions, the knightly cour- tesy of the men and the charms of the women. He said the South had lost much, but had retained that which is best, its noble men and women. He said that the Southern people are look cd upon as sentimental and ideal, rath- CT than the philosophical.
 MT. Graham said that he had learned to distrust those who have no senti- ment. He said that for years the com mencement season has come and gone. He told of the different elements of the college gil and of their outcome. One element in particular was dwelt upon, and that was what some men call changeableness and fickleness of wo- men. MT. Graham said that the most uncertain element of a college girl is an aim in life. When they go to college, away from probably an humble home, they indulge in dreams unreal. He gave some good advice to the young women.
 MT. Graham said that the elements of true womanhood and true manhood