Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-05-29
FIFTH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE
ANNAPOLIS Hl6H SCHOOL.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

liveied the address to the ga iuates. He
spoke for an hour. and so full OF wit and
wisdom, historical Information and prac-
teal application was bis address, that the |
interest Of the audience never tagged tor |
an instant, and the speaker was frequently |
interrupted by applause at telling parts
OF the address. OF laughter a. his many
humorous hits.
He briefly traced the history OF the
public schools. dwelling more pariicu-
tarly on the school history OF Maryland
that has not been published. In this con-
nection the speaker said
maryland was no laegard in the edu-
cational ambitions OF the sister colonies.
During the year OF 1906 the General As
sembly sent a petition to the King OF
England, asking that there be established
a free school in the then Latin, where
Latin, Greek, writing aud like should be
taught and studied The petition was
servilely humble and fulsom. II, how
ever met with favor. Parliament, where
il was submitted. passed an act which
King William approved. proposing the
spread Of the gospel and the education OF
the youth OF Maryland in good letter and
manner. Parliament was probably under
the impression that the Indian spirit bad
entered into the body of the white man
and that the missionary guidance was
essential for his reconversion 10 the
tenets of the iofefathers.
"The act further provided for schools
in the county, TO consist of one hundred
scholars, with master, usher and writing
master. Annapolis was to have a school
and other named places we're similarly
honored. These were to be supported for
all time to come as though the standard
then set up was per ec,ion and would
never be surpassed. Six hundred dollars
annually was appropriated for payment
OF salaries and repairs OF buildings which
were to be erected at the public expense,
and to be managed by board OF COL
porators under the name of 'rectors,
trustees and visitors of the free school OF
Maryland The board to consist of not
less than eighteen or more than twenty
men. Oxford, on the Choptank, was Sec
ondly honored by a similar school, the
young idea was thus to have regard given
to the development. Prior to 1850 an
innovation happened in the Parliament
airy idea of denominating schools. They
were called free in this state and were
/ " DC SuRPOANCa w kChNtAAA aAt
ton Other departures followed. The
stride was forward and an Improvement
in the system was the invarlable result.
Referring to the schools Mr.. Marine
said "Schools are the ordained nurse.
ries OF the development OF our intellec-
tual faculties; we learn to think concisely
and methodically with vigor and strength.
The mind is the citadel in which is lodged
to be welded. offe nsively and defensively,
the weapons which we use in the con-
Act in the world.
"Perils have surrounded the system
and the free schools have known threat
ening demonstrations, although no de-
cided movement has been publicly in
augurated against them. They have
gradually emerged from the entangling
political surroundings which fetteFed aud
deprive them Of the full scope OF their
usefulness. The present demand is that
they be divorced from peliics and not
longer used 90 iai1en the oxen who are
oenf ~ stalls. We need not Dig into
the earih 90 End skeletons abouf home.
4 IL sill do no fos1 Co learn that large
SENS of mnnes awe been diverted from
4 ieenfusase etucaffonal channels fafo the
sackcts ol the plandefing politicians. let
g 81 tnarkfu Enai tnr schCoIs ARE noi
ta 81 isl s r aaaoag the corporate exist
eaces. subfeef 90 ne PIE Eea's double
sased plum9ine knifs.
Tee speakef xawe me eraauxtes son e
abalesaaae acx1er- he Sad lu them
wDo a.f aelieipzfe sail ossF hiood-
rs seas Wfs a Fsaal rate breeze aud no
F faueh aeafhra. Eapscs tonf camEass co
aes uni oi usa and the Ner STAR 70
4asaurear Ger q ane undsr the eiuads
{ smre e. ciaaE tAe say do not muFmur u
sea loese Foar FeEkouiug and res dang
efeasiy scar ne shoais Of Haueras.
E Laafn II Vou can - sabmt 90 disaopoiuf-
menf li zee ind q impossible 10 do 50
remember aiwaYs nc enc has a night 10
candemn yea. tor a failure IS common 10
nost persons. Co 10 the school Of adver
sity Only under compulsion and do net
drink bitter waters Il you cai not get sweet
eater. The reason 50 many persons sink
under aoverses Is that they never ex-
pected them. They have counted all
together upon success.
"Having graduated from the public
schools, you will always be their friend
and champion; what promotes their good
you will support; what tends TO their in
jury you will determinedly oppose. Next
TO the family under our liberty loving
government, the public schools are your
most precious heritage. The millions OF
those who stream forth through their
doo ways into the real activities OF the
world, carry the worth OF those teaching
along with them. What dense ignorance
we should have amcng us but for them.
They ave the educators OF the masses
who would grope in the dark had not
their candle power illuminated the path
down which the prepondeiating con-
course OF our counlrymen and our coun-
l'trywomen travel.
DIR. Frank II. Thompson, president q
the board OF trustees. presented The diplo-
mas 70 The graduates, each OF whom re-
ceived p;ofusion OF flowers and many
handsome presents.