The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-05-28
To the Graduating Glass of -Four Of
the cIarksburg Coiored school
This Year.
GOOD PROGRAM RENpERED.
Graduates All Acquit Themselves in
"a Most Highly Creditable Manner.
Elaborate Reception is Given.

BENJAMIN Malay Smith. Virgil Carter
Fagan. Emma Thomas and Ira Ross
graduated Monday night from the color
ed high school with honors.
The exercises We're held In the school
hall on Water street which was crowd
ed on the occasion with members of the
white and colored races.
The program opened with o chorus,
Refreshing Breezes." led by ], C. Macy
Rev. G. w: w. Jenkins offered the in
vocation. This was followed by a
chorus "On LIfe's Journey"
The salutatory and an grafton were by
Virginia Carter Pagan, who discussed in
an able and, eloquent manner "a Glance
at the Twentieth, Century" which re-
view showed much research and knowl.
edge on the part of the speaker and i'm
pressed his hearers with his just title
to graduation.
BENJAMIN Smith and Miss Adele VIII
kinson followed with violin and piano
duet, rendered In. an accomplished man
ner and entitled Life IS a Dream"
Success Through Perseverance" was
a topic Interestingly discussed by Ira
Ross in an essay that showed ability
in thought and eIoquence in compost
ton.
Marie Miles. Eva Green and cornelia
Mead acquitted themselves in a highly
accomplished manner in the rendition of
meadow song, and were followed by
an essay by Emma Thomas, whose sub
ject was "rhe Value Of Good Charac-
ter" The essayist displayed an educa-
tional training emitting her to the high
honors Of graduation and the paper was
read in very elegant manner
'Forget-Me-Nots" was sung by Mary
Jett in a manner that ELECTED much ap-
plause. This was followed by the
valedictory and Possibilities
Of the American Negro"--by BENJAMIN
Mayloy Smith to whom was voted a
goodly share Of the honors OF the even
ing. on account of his eloquence In de-
livery, to say nothing of the elegance
and loftiness of his thought.
Following duet-"Two Merry Girls"
sung by Misses Adele Wilkinson and
Mary e. Bowyer, the Hon. s. w. Starks,
Of Charleston, state librarian. was in
troduced to make the class address MFR
Starks spoke in part as follows:
Il assure you that no honor which
has ever come to me has been more
highly priced than the one of being in
vited to say something upon this era
marking occasion. Not that feel
equal to the occasion for am fully
aware that the remarks which l shall
make will not be worthy the designation
or dignity of commencement address,
however. ] am not responsible for my
being here nor will be responsible for
any disappointments that may be ex-
perienced. Ny only apology for hav-
ing accepted the invitation TO be here
tonight Is the hope that I may be able
to arouse some thought In the mind of
some boy or girl, some young man or
young woman. that may be OF benefit
to them in their future life, and then
felt 1t my duty to give the young
colored men and women OF West yir.
ginia, upon whom the mantle OF our
existence as race in this our beloved
State must soon fall. the benefit OF
some Of the thoughts which have help
ed me and some OF the things which
have hindered me in my struggle for a
foothold upon this our land.
In making some reference to myself,
do so with no spirit OF egotlsm, but /
know those things best which / have
learned by experience. In further jus-
fany reference / may make
to my own work. wish to say that
am simply following the precedent laid
down by that great, broad. statesman
leader of our race Booker r. Washing
ton.
1t is not my aim to entertain YOU by
the mere utterance of words because II
IS truthfully said that words are mere
" vibrations of air except as they
arouse thoughts in the mind of the
hearer. and my hope is to arose some
thought that may be of benefit in your
contest through life.
Il realize that commencement seasons |
are seasons of lightheartedness, toy and |
pleasure. and extend my congratula
tons to the good people of Clarksburg.
the Board of Education. the princiral |
and teachers and to the scholars who
have acquitted themselves so cronttably
and with such great honor in these
splendid exercises. Up to this time,
you have wrought well but we shouId
be more interested in what our future
shall be than We are in what our past
success has been.
"As it is at times with the patient. so
Is It with the race. Instead of rejoicing
too much at our past achievements. l |
think It more profitable 10 soberly con-
slider and decide what we win do in tie
future.
IAN authorities agree that the object
of education is simply q teach one 10
think. To you. scholars ana graduates
wish to say. that IL your education
has been a success you have s.lnnlv
qualified yourselves to think ana
thought is the greatest power on earth.
BY its use sou. are to carve out your
success. Unless, you chose the profes-
'ton o. teachingA Il may. ,neversasata -be