The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-06-15
Mr.. Johnson Addresses Grad
uating Class of Normal.
PROGRAM OF THE EVENING.
Judge Ell Torrance Presents the Di.
pIomas; Notable Event for Many
of the Students.
From Thursdays Daily.

From Thursdays Daily.
The thirty seventh annual commence
ment of the state normal school was
held at the assembly hall of the school
last evening, and was witnessed by an
audience that packed the hall to its ca
mcity. The rostrum being covered for
several feet from the floor with green
leaves and branches, and the entire front
lined with palms, evergreens and other
green plants and shrubs. A huge bas-
ket of roses adorned the grand piano.
At sis O'Clock the class that was to
graduate, numbering lightweight, ad
vanced from the rear to march played
by Mrs. Jay Hubbard with the violin
and Miss Flory Wise at the piano. They
crossed the rostrum in several rows
and were seated at signal. They pre-
scented fine appearance, the ladies all
dressed in white and some of them car
rying flowers. OF the large class, scarce.
ly half dozen were young men, and
1
midst of so many charming young Ia
dies.
Some of the members of the class
have already received their diplomas,
and more are to graduate during the
summer, so that the total number to
graduate during the year ending next
September lst will be 1876. This will
make the largest class ever graduated
from the school in one year. 1t seems
to be very strong class intellectually
to Judge from the appearance. Most OF
them members have schools engaged for
next year, so that the state will at once
begin to get returns for the money eX-
pended upon the education of the class.
The faculty occupied seats to the right,
and in front of them sat Governor
johnson, Judge Torrance, Judge LOrin
CRAY, Gen. j. H. Baker and Rev. A. f.
Fillmore.
The program lasted but two hours,
and was very enjoyoble one. 1t open
ed with an invocation by Rev. Fillmore,
and this was followed by the Ceciian
club, or ladies' chorus, which sang 'O'er
Blooming Meadows" by Weckerlin,
and Greeting To SPRING" by Johann
Strauss. Miss Huff directed the club
with much grace and efficiency, and the
singing evidenced much careful train
ing.
Governor Johnson Speaks.
! Governor John A. Johnson was then
introduced by President Cooper, and
spoke entertainingly for about three
quarters of an hour, interspersing his
more solid remarks with numerous
stories and witty salles. He said that
this was a great night for the gradu-
ates, for the state of Minnesota and for
Mankato. 1t is a great thing for the city
to have so many students and brilliant
members of the faculty to associate
with year after year. This matter of
education is great thing, but we do
not fully appreciate it until later in
life. Looking back over or lives, we
say that if we could have it over again
we would put in few more years in
some factory for the polishing of
brains, so that we might make it cas-
Ter to perform our later tasks, and learn
to do things. He was glad to be here.
The thing that commencement exercises
represent is the greatest of all. Our
country would not be what it is with
out it.
sour educational system is now the
best ever known, and by reason of it
the world has made greater progress in
the last twenty five years than ever be-
fore. A few years ago the expense of
education was considered a burden, but
not so now. The primary object of edu-
cation is to prepare the citizens to dis
charge every obligation that he owes
the state, society and humanity. These
graduates are soon to become citizens
in this great country and to discharge
the duties that they owe to humanity
The graduation certificates have been
well earned.
Il was very sorry when all of this
football trouble came on, and Minneso-
la had to cancel its educational contests
with other states, not only because |
like to see the games, but because | be-
! lieve that it has much to do with devel.
oping manhood, muscle and nerve in
| the young men.
'1f education means anything it
means first of all for the young man
and the young woman to have some re-
| spect for that higher law by which our
| destiny is realized patriotic duty and
love for home. He must be that which
makes him respected and honored cit
izen, not because he knows something.
but because he is somthing. The great.
est thing in the world is character-that
which teaches us to be the same good.
honest person at all times. not merely
when others are looking at us. If the
young man or woman develops that