Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1915-05-28
CLOSING Of PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOWS INTEREST
IN EDUCATION IN LUNA COUNTY IS GROWING
Large Crowds Turn Out to Nigh schoo and Grammar School Commence
ens Baccalaureae Sermon by the Rev. hug Mhemos Address
Graduates by Ralph Ely and John Watson Received With Great
Enthusiasm Glass Play Was Presented the Usual Capacity House

| uc commencement CNeTciSeS Ncu'
NJ sdny evening attracted as repre-
sentative an audience rs New Mexico
can produce.
Superintendent J. b. Taylor was
master of ceremonies and Miss Mad
clcnc Page. instructor of music and
art had charge of the musical mum
hers, which were of a very high or
der.
OF course, the chief feature of the
evening was the mastcrful address
Of Ralph c. Ely, who is properly rec
ognized as the leading platform
speaker of the state. Mr.. Ely pur.
sued the development of America
from its pioneer stage to its present
high stage of development, giving
much from the storehonses of wisdom
he has gathered from experience and
observation. He admonishcd the
members of the class that much
would be expected of them in making
II high grade of citizenship, clothing
his splendid ideas in pure simple
English, that could not help make II
deep and lasting impression upon his
attentive auditors.
The diplomas were presented b,
Willard 4. Holt, secretary of the
board of education, who compli.
mented the members of the class up.
IN the successful completion of the
course of study and pointed out the
things that would be expected of
them in making the world better. The
ceremony of presentation was very
nicely carried out and elected gen.
erous applause.
The inspiring invocation was deliv.
cred by the Rev. Theodore Platt and
the bcnedictiOn. II most beautiful
prayer, vas delivered by the Rev. Fa-
ther Garnet.
Following commencement exercis-
es and congratulations, the class Of
1915, together with the faculty,
board of education and few friends
Of the pupils were taken in automo-
biles to the home of Sigmund Lin
dauer, as Il surprise and compliment
to his daughter, Martha, member
Of the class. Ice cream and cake
and Mr.. Bryan's favorite beverage
were served and each member of the
company responded to appropriate
loasts. Secretary Holt acting as
toastmaster.
Mr.. Ely opened his address with
II reference to the scene of his boy
hood. in little central Michigan
town. as it appeared to him as boy
in the middle seventies. "The prob
lens of the pioneer" he said, were
far more difficult there, the obstacles
far greater, and the prospects of re
deeming that land, far less than
those with which we have become ia.
miliar in this little spot in the desert
in which our efforts are being put
forth and our hopes centercd.
"The Aryan race originated in the
Garden of Eden, wherever that may
have been. and as the families ana
tribes increased in numbers were
forced out of that favored spot, and
began to populate the earth, peopling
Egypt, the Holy Land. founding an
cient Greece and Rome: moving
northward into Russia. and North
em Europe and the British Isles.
ever forced westward by the need of
and hunger for land. until Colum.
bus and the Norscmcn were driven
across the Atlantic. Our forefathers
settled the Eastern shores of the Am
erican continent. Even when only
three million people populated the
eighteen colonies IN the seabord. the
same restless spirit and the same
land hunger drove them westward.
Washington, with his broad acres of
rich Virginia soil. climbed to the
peaks of the Allcghnnies and looked
with longing eyes upon the acres to
the west. The wave of emigration
continued until il crossed the conti-
nent and reached the Pacific. Now
the wave is rolling back aud the
country which Webster called the
American Desert. and supposed TO be
valueless and irredeemnble. is being
peopled and developed.
"This movement has throughout all
the ages been attended with its diff
fculties. its dangers, and its hard
ships. The spirit of the pioneer has
always been dominant in the Aryan
race. Each group of pioneers over
looks the hardships of the other
groups, but none Of them have been
spared. Redeeming the desert pre-.
: sents no more of difficulty than the