Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-12
STAFFORD THE ORATOR
GALA DAY AT JOHNS HOPKINS
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FOR 15o

tne tnlrty-HrSt annual June commencement
Of the Johns Hopkins University at the
Academy Of Music yesterday afternoon was
attended with an enthusiasm that has sell
dom been witnessed on similar previous
occasions Long before the academic pro-
cession entered the theater every seat had
been taken and standing room was at a
premium. The number Of degrees award
ed-15O-far surpassed that of any previous
commencement. The number awarded in
1906 was III. Il considerable excess over the
record Of any former year. The number
this year was distributed as follows: Doc
tors Of medicine, 70; doctors of philosophy,
S'. and bachelors of arts Al.
Among the graduates of the medical
school were four young women. among
whom was Miss Elizabeth Singley Hellweg
OF this city. Eleven young men from
Maryland nine of whom are from this city,
received the medical certificate Among
the medical graduates was Merle Adkins,
the Oriole base ball pitcher, commonly
known as ''Addie."
The feature of the commencement was
the presentation of the Dieterich portrait of
Dr. Harmon n. Morse. professor of analyti-
cal chemistry and adjunct director of the
chemical laboratory, by Associate Pro-
lessor Joseph Elliott Gilpin on behalf of all
of the students of chemistry in the graduate
department of the Hopkins since the inau-
guration OF the university. in 1876. The
poi tIait was accepted on behalf OF the uni
Verslty by President Ira Remsen.
A Notable Procession.
The appearance of the procession as it
wendell it's way from the northern end of
Mccoy Hall down Monument to Howard
street and thence to the Academy was one
that will not be readily forgotten by an
observer. The vari-colored moods and
gowns of the eminent professors, known
hr0l ,Ohn b,
lions in the realm of science and philosophy
were in marked contrast with the somber
gowns OF the young graduates, whose joy,
tul countenances exhibited anything but
somber aspect. Almost every institution
of note throughout this country and Europe
was represented in the colors Of attire of
the faculty, while in the ranks of the grad
yates were young men from almost every
state of the Union who had come thjther
to enjoy, the rare educational .traiiing
which the great Baltimore institution Is
able to furnish.
Upon signal from the president all
caps were removed and the invocation was
offered by Rev. DR.. William H. Dunbar
pastor of st. Marks English Lutheran
Church. Directly following the prayer the
list of degrees was conferred by President
Remsen, the candidates being introduced
by Dean Edward II. Griffin for the under
graduates: Prof Joseph 8. Ames. for the
postgraduates. and Dean VIM. H. Howell
for the medical students. Each spoke Of
had enjoyed for the last several years and
urged them to so employ their attachments
and education that the world. as we'll as
they, might be the recipients of whatever
measure of success might attend them
throughout life
Justice Stafford's Grafton.
The Grafton of the day on THE Poetic
Ideal in Practical Life" was delivered by
Associate Justice Wendell Phillips Stat
20 ri of
lacking in interest. and on several occa-
sions the speaker called forth applause
from his audience. He said
Il am to say few words about the COS
pei Of poetry. Not poetry in any narrow
or technical sense, but the poetic prnci-
pie In human life. The sentiments that
give human life dignity and charm are in
variably poetic. Hospitality, for example
what Is it but poetic view of the rela-
ton between host and guest? The subtlest
and most powerful appeal that can be made
to human nature is the appeal that takes
for granted the inherent nobleness of the
person addressed. If 1t is at heart kind
of fattery 1t is a fattery worthy of the
courts OF heaven. where the princes are
gods and the courtiers are angels.
"'Then there is patriotism. Who does
not know that the patriot is poet? He is
a lover, and the lover is always a poet
We have seen whole nations turned poets
overnight by some sudden peril to the land
they hardly knew they loved. Yesterday
they thought of their country Of they
thought of her at alb many people,
so much territory, such and such advan-
tages to themselves.
Heroism Poetry of Conduct.
"Heroism is poetry-the poetry of con-
duct. Its appeal is universal. 1t is writ
ten in a language that all men understand
Life runs on it's low. monotonous tenor,
the mere prose of action: when all at once
an action of quite another sort catches and
holds every eye-action free, brave unset
hsh and bringing upon the doer some tragic
penalty which Is readily and nobly pad.
We hasten to claim kinship with the hero
and while the mood lasts live in the world
of the ideal Religion itself. whatever more
1t may be, is the poetry of morals. And
the more poetic its form. the stronger and
more general its hold upon the people. We
may congratulate ourselves that
ship is devoid of form and ceremony. but it
might be well for us to inquire whether the
fact is not due to a certain poverty of
nature that exemptS us from the charm of
richest poetry.
Manners a Lost GraceP
There is such thing the poetry of
behavior. Perhaps 1t would be more exact
to say there was. For may be excused
at times for doubling whether manners be
not one of the lost graces of a dead and
buried world Go stand by the tomb of
Washington, where hundreds come and go
each day-hundreds whose days are sweet
and whose nights are safe because he suf-
fered for Them see them draw near its
doors and gaze upon spot where reverent
love should almost put the shoes from off
its feet, it is SO holy. Yet you may be
surprised If now and then you see a head
uncovered. 1t was left for Asiatics to
teach Americans low they could bear
themselves at the grave of the father of
his country. | speak not of the mere ac-
cessories of poetry-rhythm. dction, versifi-