The Washington herald., 1908-05-26
BARRETT IS CHEERED
Defends American Girls Who
Wed Foreigners.
HEAR ONLY OF BAD MATCHES
Takes Up for Young woman Who
Weds n Man OF Title, Provided She
Loves Him-Hundreds of Interna-
tiOnaI Marriages that Have Re-
suited HappiIy-The Programme.

The American girl who marries a for
eigner. titled or otherwise. for love of
the man was defended last night by
Mr.. John Barrett. director OF the Bureau
Of American Republics. in his address
before the graduating class OF the Fair
mont Seminary, Fairmont and Four
teenth streets.
The defense evoked the warmest ap-
plause from the graduates and guests.
showing that international marriages
were not so much condemned as one
might imagine from the gossip heard
Mr.. Barrett was the principal speaker
OF the evening. and his theme was en-
titled ''The American girl and her world
wide influence"
American GIRLS Day.
He opened his remarks by saying:
This is the day Of the American girl
the day when truly the influence Of the
American girl is worldwide, whether
in her home. the embassies. or titled
families of Europe; whether In the mis-
sionary fields Of China or the educa-
tional work Of South America. Where
ever she may be found, the eyes OF the
world are on her"
He continued. saying that she was
watched by every nation. and It was her
duty 20 do her best.
This century shall be purely>a wom-
ans century" he said, "and her influence
will be worldwide"
He paid high tribute TO the American
girl and the American woman. and then
turning TO the subject OF international
marriages. said:
II defend the girl who marries a foreign
title for love Of the man she weds. but I
believe the American girl who marries
solely for the sake Of the title should be
condemned. Many international marriages
have turned out dlsastrously, but for that
matter so have many marriages in the
United States. Yet there are hundreds of
international marriages which have turn
ed out happily. Unfortunately. we rarely
hear Of these. and it is only the other de-
scription that is brought so vividly be-
fore US.
1T is the duty Of every American man
10 win the hand and heart Of the Ameri-
can girl but If he cannot succeed he
should not begrudge the foreigner who
takes the prize"
The remainder Of the address was de-
voted 10 the duties Of Americans. and he
closed his remarks with concentrations
TO the graduates that they live in this
era Of woman's chances and achieve
ments"
The hall in which the exercises were
held was thronged with guests and rela-
! tives Of the fair graduates. and was deco
rated In a handsome manner with cut
flowers and palms.
The Evenings Programme.
The programme opened with musical
selections by the Lent-Kaspar trio. Rev.
Ross Fishburn offered prayer. which was
followed by a cello solo Mr. Barrett
was introduced, and spoke, after which
Anton Kaspar gave a violin mazurka.
The presentation OF the class colors to
the patroness, Mrs. John A Logan, by
the class mascot. Mary Elizabeth Dover.
was followed by the presentation Of the
flag in which Cora Virginia Eldridge,
Helen stinson Nicely. and Louise Levings
Warren participated. The Lent -Kaspar
quartet followed with musical numbers.
after which diplomas were awarded by
Principal Arthur T Ramsey
The exercises closed with a benediction
by Rev. Mr.. Fishburn. The following
received diplomas:
Christine Cole. Georgia; Olive r. Col
Inns, New York; Cora Virginia Eldridge,
Arkansas; Norine Anita Heffron. Texas;
Nancy Stuart Hover. New York: Sara
Haigh Jones, North Carolina: Berenice
Elliott Lum. South Dakota; Dorothy
Margaret Matcham, Pennsylvania; Flor
ence Martin, Tennessee; John Margue-
rite Mimms. Kentucky; Ellen Grace Nc
Bride. Pennsylvania; Helen Stinson
Neely, Pennsylvania; May Vance Pat
terson. Ohio; Anne Eliza Reid, West Vir-
ginia; Marguerite Ashley Snort. North
Carolina; Louise Levings Warren, Min
nesota; Mary Vesta Wood, Mississippi
Lucille Galloway Fussell, Arkansas; Mar
guerite Spears. Tennessee.