Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-13
Manual Training School Glass
Numbers Seventy-Six.
GRADUATION PROGRAM
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY MAJOR
ROBERT R. MOTION.
Commissioner Macfarland Delivers the
Diplomas and Makes an Address
Musical Features.

The graduation exercises of the class of
1903 of the Armstrong Manual Training
School at the Metropolitan African Metho-
dist Episcopal Church last evening were
notable event in the educational advance
ment of the colored race. Not in many
years has a class of young men and women
graduated from the Washington schools
under more suspicious and encouraging cir
cumstances than those which prevailed last
evening The seventy-six graduates receiv-
ed their diplomas from the hands of Mr..
Henry B. F. Macfarland. president of the
board of District Commissioners, who de-
livered a few remarks before performing
that duty. Mrs. J. r. Francis chairman of
the manual training committee of the board
of education, presided
The scene presented will be long remem-
bered by the 100 more persons who
crowded the galleries and auditorium of
the edifice. The stage arrangements were
perfect In the center of the rostrum were
seated the young lady graduates, in pretty
white dresses which were made by their
own hands. while the young men occupied
chairs on either side and in the rear. The
front row of chairs on the platform was
occupied by invited guests, including Gen.
George II. Harries of the board of educa-
ton, Commissioner Henry b. F. Macfar-
land, Commissioner Henry l.. West, Mrs
IiChiS west, CeT. ii. v. BOyDtOn ana
Mrs. j. F. Bundy, members of the board of
education, Mr.. j. A. Chamberlain director
OF manual training schools; Mai Robert R.
Motion, commandant and executive officer of
the Hampton Institute; Mr.. A T Stuart
superintendent of schools; Dr. w S Mont
somery, assistant superintendent of col
ored schools; DR.. w. b. Evans and Emily
harper principal and English teacher re-
spectiVeiy, or the Armstrong Manual Train
ing School
Following the professional by the Column
pan orchestra, which constituted the OPEN
Ing number of the exercises the graduates
assisted by mammoth choir. composed of
the undergraduates of the Manual Training
school, under the direction of w. s. Worm
icy, choral directoS. rendered Handers
Largo in manner which brought forth
great applause. Rev. Francis j. Grimke
pastor of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian
Church, invoked the divine blessing and
me snu cholr rendered Faures THE Palms."
ioiiowing which Major Robert Russo Mo-
lon, the speaker of the evening. was intro
duced to the assemblage by Mrs Francis
Address to Graduates.
After the applause which met his intro
auction had died away Major Motion began
MS remarks, taking as his theme 1.-The Dig
hity or Labor. He prefaced his address
with brief history of the Armstrong
manual Training School. making mention
OF the various arts, sciences and trades in
Whlch the mind and hand of the students
are trained, and then said:
When Gen. Armstrong first saw the edu
catve value of manual training II could
naroly be expected that a race fresh from
the hardest industrial conditions could see
IN such framing any dignity or educational
Vaiue. Moreover, when the negro's intel
iectuai capability was doubted even by his
friends, II was natural that he should de-
sire such an education as would demon
strate that he possessed the same faculties
and susceptibilities as the rest of rnan1
KIND This he has conclusively done. But
the queton is no longer of ability but Of
tate aoJustment. The factors of race
hdtred social prejudice and political in
equality make this a complex and difficult
question, whose solution is uncertain The
popular phrase, Begin where the white
man lr. ulo' contains an unmistakable fallacy
Ihere would be no civilization no progress
II ths doctrine actuated every man. While
you are not at the top of the ladder Won
are not at the bottom, and your backward
ness Is not due to Inherent race traits hnt
TO environment
Need Not Apologize
race that can produce a Fred Douglass
OF Booker Washington need not apologize
Ior l's existence. But the negro must learn
TO deal with primary conditions. He must
not set up a false social standard as shall
be determined by mere vocation. Every
occupation is honorable and all labor dig
nihed The world no longer bows before
ABSTRACT. impractical knowledge 1t de-
mands today not less knowledge but a
knowledge which is applicable to the I'M
derlyng concrete principles of life The
negro, therefore, needs to be thoroughly
grounded in the fundamental principles of
ciVinzauon. Cramped by foreign immi-
grafton and native prejudice, our strongest
nope lies in the adjustment on an economic |
basis to the conditions of civilization UNI |
DER which we live. and this depends largely |
upon our ability to earn our daily bread
me rapid development of the new |
N. inU
highest productive proficiency, demands of |
the negro the qualities which are the foun-
daton or a healthy and prosperous citi-
zenship. The highest education is that
which best fits a man for the highest duty |
and fullest enjoyment of life You be-
long to race just emerging into freedom |
and citizenship the majority of whom are |
yet living in poverty and ignorance and |
you are directly responsible for their ad-
vancement.
1T matters little where you go or what
you do. The farmer. the teacher, the law
yer the newer of wood, the drawer of |
water. all who toll with hand or brain, |
are workers. Whether a man chisels mar
bic, constructs steam engine, builds |
house or builds poem, If his object be |
the elevation of humanity, then in his work |
there is dignity and glory. The chief end
of education, the highest need of any peo-
pie is character. The ultimate end of the |
experiences of life is power, manhood and |
such virtues as give race dignity moral
stamina and self-respect."
MT macfarland's Remarks.
Commissioner Mcfarland was next in
troduced Before presenting the diplomas
and certificates to the graduates, he made
few remarks during the course of which
he said:
AT first commencement of the Arm
strong Manual Training School Is an ap-
propriate time for rejoicing over the fact
that 30 many of the ablest colored boys
and girls Of the District are acquiring the
technical training which will make them
valuable to themselves and to the COM
munity. Whatever feeling may have exist
ed against the manual training courses has
entirely disappeared. They are now sought
eagerly. even with enthusiasm The build
ing named for General Sa<,uel Chapman
Armstrong, founder of the Hampton Insti-
tute, which is the home OF this school, is
not large enough to accommodate the
scholars. Its enlargement has been already
recommended by the Commissioners and
the board of education and we hope to Sc
cure 1t from Congress. The principal the
teachers. and the scholars have earned the
highest consideration by their splendid
work. They deserve the appreciation which
they are receiving and the generous sup
port OF the community and of Congress. 1t
is very clear that manual training of the
high character given at the Armstrong
School ODens the door Of 0pportuntv tn