Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-06-02
PRESIDENT PRESENTS DIPLOMAS
TO l78 MIDSHIPMEN GRADUATES
A Commission With Each Diploma--Secretary Daniels
Delivers Address On Ready Aim Firew-Readiness
is Not Individual But Cooperative--"We Know
Not When We May Be Called But
We Are Ready"
THE CLASS OF 1916 OUT OF THE WILDERNESS.
President Wilson Makes Brief fAddress--Superintendent
Eberle Compliments Class--Dahlgren Hall Bril-.
liant Scene-Graduation Crowd Unprecedented
Farewell Ball Tonight Grand Finale
of Four Years at the Naval Academy

One hundred and seventy-eight young
men were made happy this morning
| when they received their diplomas and
commissions as ensigns in the United
States Navy, from the hands of Presi-
| dent Woodrow Wilson, in Dahlgren
| Hall. at the Naval Academy
Ii must have been a wonderful feel
ing that coursed through them when
the strain of the past four years was
| at last relieved There has not been a
moment in all of the past four years
when they nave not been on edge lest
some little failure in studies or dis
cipline might rob them of their ulti-
mate goal.
OF course their chief usefulness is yet
to come, but they must feel that with
proper effort they will go steadily up
ward. attaining honors according to
their ability.
Once Witnessed, the graduation eX-
ercises of a class of midshipmen can
not be forgotten. There were many
proud fathers and mothers there this
morning, too, who could feel a decided
relief, many of them having made sac
rifices in order that their son might
have the honor accorded him this
morning.
The exercises went forward rapidly
as scheduled, without the slightest
hitch in the program. The immense
crowd began to gather at the doors of
Dahlgren Hall, where the exercises
were held, as early as $50 this morn
ing. waiting patiently for the doors to
open, in order to obtain choice seats.
The Mayflower, with President and
Mrs. Wilson on board entered the har-
Dor shortly after s o'clock, and was
welcomed by the national salute of 81
guns from the battleships anchored in
the Roads. She was anchored short
distance from the Reina Mercedes. The
entire regiment of midshipmen, eX-
cepting the members of the graduating
class, formed on the facade in front of
Bancroft Hall, and, with the band
leading. marched rapidly to the Mary
land avenue wharf. All were i'm full
dress. with black coats and white
trousers and caps. presenting fine
sight indeed.
The President and Mrs. Wilson came
ashore in the handsome naval gig of
the Mayfiower. and were met at the
wharf by Superintendent Eberle and
Commandant Louis NJ. Mutton, while a
salute of 81 guns was fired from the
Reina Mercedes The President was
escorted by the party between the
lines of midshipmen TO the Superin-
tendents Quarters. Here they were
joined by the Secretary of the Navy
Daniels and Mrs. Daniels. and after a
few minutes the entire party repaired
to Dahlgren Hall.
Dahlgren Hall presented wonderful
| sight, with the graduates in full white
| seated directly in front of the large
| platform, and the underclassmen stand
| ing in the rear. Here the lines were
| formed again. while the President and
| party passed through to the platform,
| while the band played a few strains
| of THE Star-Spangled Banner"
| Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Daniels were
seated with Mrs. Eberle, wife of the
| superintendent. at the right of the
| platform, and took a decided interest
| in the proceedings. The graduation ex-
| ercises proper were opened by Chap
lain Evans with invocation. Following
this Superintendent Eberle made few
remarks to the class and then Secre-
tary Daniels delivered the graduation
address.