The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-06-14

virtuous homes as can be found any
where.
PEOPLE are Mortified at evils today
which were not looked upon as such In
earlier times. Drunkenness and slavery
were not formerly looked upon as bad.
A good many problems that now con-
front us could be easily solved if we
were to take them by the proper hand.
We often get hold of the wrong hand.
DR.. Hosmer closed by saying that
there is no people in history that is
more picturesque or can face the flu
ture with more confidence than the in
habitants of the Mississippi valley.
The ladies' chorus sang 1.-THE
Chimes, by Macy.
The Presidents Remarks.
President c. Fl. Cooper addressed
the audience, saying that the June
section of the class numbers ninety
nine, three are nearly through and will
be handed their diplomas during the
summer, and thirty three graduated in
November and March, making total
of 1876 for the year. One reason for the
large increase in the number of gradu-
ates this year is that the elementary
course has been abolished and no
diplomas for that course will be given
out after this commencement. Many
who had partly completed the elemen-
tary course and gone out to teach had
come back in order to finish the course
and get their diplomas before it was
abolished. Succeeding graduating
classes must necessarily be smaller.
The abolition of the three years
course is misfortune to the rural dis
tricts, but the state normal board has
established new three years course.
No diplomas will be given to those
who complete it, but certificates will
be handed them, that will command
first grade certificates. The full course
is now five years. and graduates from
the certificate course can go out and
teach and come back afterwards and
complete the full course.
The system of manual training was
adopted the past year in the training
department. and will be next year in the
normal department. All students will
have it, as it is now considered to be
an element of training that is vitality
important. The adoption of it will be
a long step forward.
A system of physical culture has
been started, running through the en-
tire course, from the primary to the
senior class.
Rhetorical work has been establish
ed, to which the public is invited. 1t
is given on eight or nine Friday after
moons of the year.
The summer school which starts June
Gath and continues for six weeks is not
the summer session of the normal
school, which has passed into history.
The present graduating class has de-
cided upon stained glass window in
three sections, to be presented to the
school as class memorial 1t will be
placed in the center window over the
rostrum and will cost $125. The school
will enjoy it every day for years to
come. The custom of leaving class
memorial is delightful one and
stands for good many things.
Addresses the Graduates.
President Cooper then addressed the
class. He said that the
school had given them technical train
ing for their life work as we'll as some
thing of real education. There is me-
chanical and actual training, and the
school has tried to give the latter.
Right education carries with it right
views of education and back of that
right views of life. A knowledge of
facts is not all of education Educa-
tion is the development of character
and power. The school tries to do this.
Education means the power to grasp
anu dSSlulldtO, UIO1OUu VI Wow, d. uo-
tachment from prejudice and passion,
the power to see things as they are,
the power of self control, mental and
a knowledge of the beauti
full in literature. science and art, right
social motive, and purity of heart.
The graduates will go out with
loyalty to the school. Loyalty is re-
of obligation. 1t can be
shown by speaking good word for
the school and sending those to it who
would be benefited by attending it;
but it can be shown in far greater
and more satisfactory manner by the
graduates doing the best work that
they can in their profession as the re-
personalities of the school
The class advanced in four sections
and received their diplomas from the
hand of President COoper