New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1904-06-11
Communicated.
CLOSING EXERCISES OF THE IBERIA
COLORED SCHOOL, AT ST. JAMES
N. E. CHURCH.

AS the progress of commnnit,
is generally Y measured by the stand
ard of advancement Of its slowes
member just as the speed of flee
depends on the movement snd be
havlor Of its slowest ship, we may
proudly say that our com
nunity is forging ahead with won
derfnl strides in educational mat.
ters. The colored public schools
under the magnetic touch of its
love giving principal, takes n front
rank with similar institutions of
the State, and is an unmistakable
index that the right kind Of educa.
ton and training is the only, the
indispensable factor for the better
ment and aud elevation of the col
ored race TO substitute realities
for superstition, industry and econ
omy for shiftlistness and improvi-
dence, love Of land and nation for
indifference and reck klesSness. edu.
cation is the only agency able to
prepare an untutored mind for its
share IN the above facts and re-
quisltes Of civilization.
The colored race needs above all,
a MASTER guide, shepherd who
Will enter into its sympathies and
customs, its joys and sorrows. \
school teacher that can successfnli,
inculcate thrift and economy,
habits of honesty and integrity in
cololed schools and produce prac-
teal results affecting the honor
and status of the race in general is
Il benefactor to mankind and a
philanthropic servant of the COM |
The school is heading forward,
The proper direction-hope for the
present-faith in the future. The
writer was fortunate in accepting
an invitation from superintendent
l.. u. Hacker, to witness the com
nencement exercises and my pains
md exertions were greatly repaid
by the agreeable sensation of a
more agreeable sight of enjoying
he graduating exercises. The
lspirants acquitted themselves ad-
Each one was eager to
'utdo the other and the perform
nee was creditably rendered.
The pervading atmosphere, and
sign full of portend and signifi-
ance is the eagerness, the readi.
ess, the Unsuitable desire and un.
ontrollable ambition to take ad-
antage of the opportunity for edn-
alton. The patent fact is that
ducatlon even limited and incom-
lete, is the talisman that will lead
social redemption and salvation.
'ur genial superintendent made
ppropriate remarks covering the
and future needs of
olored schools aud Mr.. Burke and
joined in the expression of gen /,
raj congratulations.
Last Monday night the citizens u
our town witnessed another {
raduuting exercise of the colored
ublic School. The exercises be-
an at 8 o'clock and the program :
as well rendered from beginning :
end. There were four graduates u
IL: Misses Viney V. Gilbert, {
ary G. Moore, Kate Smith and Z
Iva Laporte. Their essays were Z
lrefnlly prepared and well de- :
vered. The church could not ac- o
'modate the large crowd that as p
mbled to witness the exercises.
he parish superintendent, Hon.
o. Hacker, after presenting to
Q class theircertiiicates, addressed 4
e audience in most excellent u
amer His remarks were highly IN
as the colored people =
ell that he is their friend and that q
will do all IN his powe: to see q
at their children get an equal u
are in this great educational "
IRE. He was fallowed by Hon. IA
K. Burke, who expressed real 70
rprise by hearing the program 81
At had been prepared for the al
casion. Mr.. Burke's talk was &C