Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-26
LAW GLASS GRADUATES
TwENTY-THREE RECEIVE DIPLo-
MAS FROM HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Address by Justice Barnard of District
Supreme Court-Members
Of the Glass.

The scene presented at the First Con-
gregational Church, at 10th and streets,
last evening. upon the occasion of the
twenty-ninth annual commencement of the
law department of Howard University,
will live long in the memory of the twenty
three students, all colored, who received
diplomas as the evidence of their having
completed courses of study in that insti-
tution. A large number of Washington
attorneys, both white and colored, were
present, in addition to the relatives and
friends of the graduates. Justice Job Bar
nard Of the District Supreme Court deliver
ed the address to the graduates.
The exercises were opened with several
selections by an orchestra, led by Charles
Hamilton. which was followed by invoca-
ton nv the Rev. DR.. F. ]. Grimke, pastor
Of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian
Church. Rev. Teunis s. Hamlin, acting
president of the university, made introduce
tory remarks. in which ne paid high
tribute to the graduates and gave BRIEF
review of their work
Upon the conclusion OF the remarks by
the acting president, Homer Garland Phil
lips was introduced as the graduate orator
of the occasion He took as his theme
1.-The Supreme Law" Mr.. Phillips drifted
into a discussion on reforms, and said that
what constitutes reform is the riddle OF
the hour; that reform is ambiguous, for
ually changing During the course Of his
remarks he touched upon socialism, attrib-
uting. it's agitation to the tyranny of capt.
tai which he declared, is worse than the
despotism Of a monarch In his summary
the speaker said that the destiny of the
human race is glorious. and that fraternity,
svmpathy and love will ever grow wider
and firmer.
Judge Barnard's Address.
Justice BARNARD was next introduced by
Prof B. F. Leighton, president of the Dis
trict Bar Association and dean of the law
department Of the university, who presided
over the exercises. When Judge Barnard
arose from his seat he was heartily ap-
plauded He prefaced his remarks by say
ing that such an occasion Is great event
in the life of any one. Forty years, con-
tinued the speaker, is but a short time for
the uplifting Of the race represented in the
graduation exercises then being held-a race
which prior to 1860 was held in untutored
slavery The graduation of the sons Of
such a race can easily, he said, be con-
sidered a great accomplishment.
The profession of the law, Justice Bar
nard stated, is the last profession for
colored man to enter, and he pointed out
the obstacles which they will encounter in
their work Turning to the graduates the
speaker said they should be heartily con-
graduated, for in the face of all the glar
ing. inevitable hardships they had chosen
The speaker urged the graduates to be
ever loyal to their alma mater, and made
it clear to them that their acts In the days
to come will reflect either credit or dis
credit upon the institution in which they
were prepared for the struggle of life. In
giving them advice upon their future work
Justice Barnard said the young men should
cultivate self-reliance and to argue their
own cases when good fortune brings them
to them. Dignity in the presentation of
case before court is requisite quality
of a lawyer said the speaker Judge Bar
nard concluded by declaring that good
name and fair dealing led to ultimate
success in the practice of law.
Diplomas Presented
The presentation of the diplomas by the
Rev Teunis 8. Hanilin was followed by
benediction, pronounced by Rev. DR..
Grfmke, and the exercises came to close.
Following is the list of graduates:
James F. Armstrong, Montgomery, Ala;
Manuel De ]. Boneta. Arecibo, Porto Rico;
Ira T. Bryant. Selma, Ala; James c.
Burlls, Washington. D. c.; Peter A. Chap
pelle, Berlin, Va; Norris W. Quincy, Cal
weston. Texas; James A Davis. Maryviile,
Tenn; William o. Davis, Washington, D.
c.; Augustus W. Gray, Washington, D. c.;
H. Augustus Guess B. s., South McAlester,
I. T.; William L. Hawkins, Milwaukee,
Wis; Thomas ]. Howard. hamilton, Ohio:
Eugene c. Jennings, Louisville, Ky: Chas.
J. Johnson, A b, Macon, Ga; Alfred Q.
Keen, A. B., Danville, Va; Homer G.
Phillips, Sedalia, Mo-; William H. Thomp-
son. Jacksonville Fla; ]. Malone Tildon,
Baltimore. Md; Robert w. Turner, A: b.,
Stephens City, Va; Hembrey w. Wilson.
Greenville, N. c.; Columbus White, B. s.,
Charlotte, N c.; Arthur w. Whitfield,
Chicago Ill: John A. Williamson, A. B.,
Buffalo, N. Y.
The class officers were: E. Clarkson
Jennings. president; Robert w. Turner,
vice president: John A. Williamson, secre-
tary; T. J. Howard. corresponding secre-
tary; James F. Armstrong, treasurer; A.
w. Gray, assistant secretary; c. j. john
son. sergeant-at-arms.