The Savannah morning news., 1903-05-30
COLORED COLLEGE
COMMENCEMENT BEGUN.
Anniversary Exercises of the PhilIis
WheatIey society.

WheatIey society.
A large and enthusiastic audience
greeted the young women of the Phel-
lis Wheatley Society yesterday after
noon at the opening exercises of the
commencement season of the Georgia
Industrial College for negroes.
Mrs. Richard Webb, president of the
w. c. T. L. of Savannah had been in
vited to address the society in ac-
cordance with a vote of the faculty at
the suggestion of President Wright. 1t
has always been the desire of the pres
ident to bring about the kindliest re-
lations between the white and colored
races and he hopes by having Mrs.
Webb to address the girls others may
be led to lend their advice and help
in building up the womanhood Of the
race.
A varied programme of music and
essays was rendered. Marie Jones, 'O4
presided and introduced the speakers.
Mrs. Webb was accompanied by the
following ladies: Mrs. NJ. Allen, Mrs.
G. Rutherford, Mrs. c. G. Clark, Mrs.
J. B. McConica, Mrs. w. B. Stubbs,
Mrs. NJ A. Pittman, Mrs. A. r. Miller,
Mrs. J. w. Teeple and others
The following is the programme:
overture, college band prayer by
Rev Maddox: piano solo, Mittie Mil
ledge; essay Home Should Help the
School" Lucille Dixon; essay, The
Charms of Music" Essie L. Munroe;
solo. "Good-by Sweet Day." Melinda
Dav: recitation, Ophelia BRAKEMAN;
Duet, Till We Meet Again" Hattie
Riley and Louise Bennett; essay, Art
of Dressmahng, Annette Handy; es-
say, Head, Heart and Hand" Annie
~ TiT1an Of
Youth" Naomi Johnston, Isabel White,
annual address, Mrs. X. Webb and
others.
Mrs Webb emphasized the fact that
both races are dependent on each other
She complmented President Wright
for the good he is doing for both races
She said that she was delighted with
the students and with everything she
had seen. She thanked God that He
had put it into the hearts of good peo-
pie of the South to establish the school.
She urged the girls not to put their
trust in the sordid things of life, but
to establish their characters on Christ.
She urged them to carefully read the
Bible and to practice its teachings. She
spoke earnestly on temperance and
showed how much danger there is in
even moderate drinking. Intemper-
ance, she said, is the greatest Stun
bling block in the way of the people.
She urged the girls to do all they can
to check the use of liquors. 1t is char
acter not color she said that marks
the man in the world.
Mrs. Barnum addressed the society,
and related her experience in connec-
ton with the founding of a colored
school in Norfolk. She urged the young
women not to bother with social and
political questions, but to strive to do
their full duty. She said the work of
the school was eminently sensible, and
its training will be beneficial to the
race for generations to come. She
told the pupils to work honestly, be
respectable and every one would re-
spect them. She pointed out many
ways by which the race could do good
and finally become a credit to the state
and the nation.
Mrs. Allen described the aboriginal
tribes of Australia, and told what
great work the Christian religion has
done for them. Short addresses were
made by others full of wisdom and en-
enlargement.
Mrs Mcconnell spoke very pleasant
ly and probably. The spirit shown
by the ladies in their remarks was to
the effect that the Southern white peo-
pie are ready and willing always to
lend the helping hand to the colored
man in his efforts to better his condi-
ton.
The beginning of the commencement
exercises was suspicious, and it will
be very encouraging to students and
teachers to see their white friends pres
ent.
One of the pleasant features of the
exercises was the presentation of a
handsomely framed picture of Presi
dent Wright to the school. In present.
ing it Marie Jones, the society presi-
dent, referred TO the long years of la
Dor on the part of the president for
his people. She said he had striven
day and night TO better the condition
of his people; that the students appre-
ciated his efforts and wanted to see his
familiar face among the notables on
the walls of the school; that his life
had been a source of inspiration to the
students, and they desired to show by
this action that they believed they had
the greatest college president in the
country. President Wright spoke few
suitable words of thanks to the girls.
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