The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1913-05-28
WEDNESDAY
Brilliant Commencement.

Brilliant Commencement.
The most brilliant event of its
kind ever brought off in Lexington
was tie commencement exercises Of
the Lexington High School, which
came to glorious end last Monday
evening. This is the concensus of
opinion of the hundreds who attended
similar exercises in the years which
are gone by az we'll as the commence
ment which has just passed into the
history of the town and of the Insti-
tuition. 1t was apparent from start to
flush that the students, both large and
small, had undergone rigid course of
thorough preparation and the ease,
the grace and the charm with which
they responded4to the lessons of their
instructors was a self evident fact
that they, each and every one Of them,
had entered into the spirit of the oc-
casion with a determination nothing
less than to cover themselves with
honor and their teachers with credit
by acting we'll their part in the drama
in which they were the leading actors.
Then again it is conceded that in
point of numbers it was easily the
largest and most brilliant assemblage
ever gathered in Lexington. At each
of the exercises the large audito-
rium with Seating capacity of about
500 was packed and jammed with an
enthusiastic and appreciative audience
which withheld not its need Of praise
from those who 80 richly deserved it.
Our report closed last week with
the recital of Mrs. E. B. Roofs mu-
sic class. Following this came on
Friday evening the exercises of the
music class of Miss May Lois Boozer
and that in expression of which Miss
Ruth E6rd is the gifted end talented
instructress. The exercises Of these
classes developed a remarkable sweet
ness of tone and touch and 20
ficiency in expression that would have
done credit to many of the larger
Schools of Expression throughout the
country. These classes are deservedly
popular with the patrons and students
of this school.
On Friday the children of the pri-
mary and intermediate departments
had their day. These "Buds Of Prom
ise," the coming men and women of
America, seemed to be impressed with
the Importance of the position they
occupy in life in reference to the posti-
tions they are to occupy in the
fields of endeavor AMI seemed deter
mined to improve each moment and
to fit and prepare themselves 10 intel
ligently meet and discharge the duties
of favored citizenship. They are a
credit to their teachers, and we pre-
dict that many of them will yet live
to shed lustre around the name of the
Lexington High school and cover their
teachers with never fading glory.
Stirring educational addresses were
made by Holly L. Harmon, County
Superintendent of Education, T. @.
Oallison. Esq and Rev. P. D. Risjn-
ger. The exercises of the morning
came to close with sumptuous bas-
ket picnic.
The Commencement proper began on
Sunday morning with the Baccalau
reate sermon by Rev. J. E Bailey,
pastor Of the Red Bank Baptist church,
Saluda, which was delivered before a
large and intensely interested congre-
CATION. His subject Was "Opportu-
nity,' and the leading thought of his
| discourse was Compulsory Educa-
| ton Upon this argument was the
fabric Of his discourse built up. 1t was
an able presentation of facts from his
; view point Of the needs and necessi-
, ties in the uplift of the people and ele-
vation OF the standard of citizenship.
Il hope and pray" he said, THAT the
time will soon come when the State of
! South Carolina will say to the fathers
and mothers that 1t is a crime to let
your children grow up in ignorance
and the legislature will pass COM
pulsory education law"
Monday was the day of days in the
history of Lexington High school.
The beauty and gallantry of Lexing-
ton town and county assembled in the
Auditorium to listen to the addresses
of the graduating class. The be-
wildering scene of glorious Young girl
hood budding into more glorious wo-
manhood, gallant youth with eyes
afiame with intelligence and determi.
nation was inspiring to the beholder
a,1 Icno tc bc ro,,, an, hora1 TLa .,e