Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-01-29
DR.. VINCENT ON PLAYING GAME
President Elect of Minnesota Uni
versity Talks to Graduates.
LAUDs sPoRTsMAN1IKE BEARING
Attitude Of Men and Women Should
Ne Generous to Foe--CIaas of
Thirteen secure Diplomas
In Mjdyear.

Diplomas of graduation from four
year course in the Omaha High school were
presented to the first class ever grad
uated from the school at the mid-year
commencement. The Inauguration OF the
mid-year graduation of students saw
twelve young men and women, represent
ing the first mid-year class of thirteen
members, Miss Emily Chase being unable
to attend
The initial graduation took place in the
auditorium of the First Methodist church
which was filled In every available space
with the parents and friends of the grad
yates. Superintendent Of Schools w. NJ.
Davidson presided and the final step of
the twelve students out OF the Omaha
public schools was made as ceremonlous
as possible The church was decorated
with flowers, palms and ferns, with few
ribbons of the class colors. white and
gold, among the flowers.
On the platform with Dr. Davidson were:
Prof. Il. U. Graft, principal of the high
school: Miss Kate McHugh, teacher OF
the class; Dr. George e. Vincent, presi-
dent-elect Of the University of Minnesota
and speaker OF che evening; Alfred c.
Kennedy, president of the school board,
and r. W Cole Of the school board.
Equal RiEhts for All.
| DIR. Davidson made q short statement
regarding the Inauguration OF the mid
year commencement. He declared that for
some years the board had felt there was
a lack in the proceedings of graduation
! from both the high and elementary schools
| in February. 1t had been felt, he said,
that the students who entered or grad
uated in February had not an equal share
OF the pleasures, nor the facilities OF grad
uation and that this had often kept pupils
| in schools a half year after they should
| have been able to leave II they so wished
II is the intention hereafter TO make the
mid-year commencement equally important
with the June commencement.
Rev. John Matthews, pastor OF the First
Baptist church pronounced an invoca-
ton, and an anthem was sung by the
choir OF the First Methodist church.
playing the Game" by Or. George E
Vincent, the address of the evening. GOV.
ered every desirabhty OF a talk 10 a group
Of young men and women stepping into the
.lre OF the world.
DR.. Vincent's address was founded merely
upon the love OF the human race for some
Kind OF competitive contest. yet It held al
the possibilities and philosophy OF life In
its simple morals. lie admitted that life
was called by various philosophers al
imagery, a highway, sea on which to EN-
Dark, IA battle 10 be rought, ana "A lOtter,
or chance. but he stln insisted that It wa,
d game in which the handicapping Nigh
20 bad at the start and the Judging poor a.
the finish, but In spite OF these defects, d
lame
in at the Finish.
The speaker described in swift and ap
plicable terms the games OF the world Of
old Greece, Of the middle ages. and tn,
games of today over the world one o
the most striking of his illustrations wal
what looks TO most Americans like conf,
opera or a disgraceful cruelty-the span
sh bull fight. The Kisses OF the
crowd when the matador allows the bui
to pass him time and time again are al
nothing TO the holder Of the sword, for h,
has learned the lesson that il is better {,
be there at the finish rather than al tn,
start.
The games OF today have built up
code OF ethics, Of honor, system OF rule
by which they must be PLAYED. You car
tell the real sportsman from the sport b.
his actions while playing the game
The sportsman is seen different from
the sport before the game. because he q
quiet while the sport is Wanting hi
proves The sportsman shows up ever
more distinctly after the game by hi
manner OF taking a victory or defeat Tn,
sport howls after defeat, the sportsman
accepts Il, and the sport boasts after win
ming while the sportsman. although jus
! as happy over winning, Is careful Of tn
feelings Of others. And during the gam