Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-06-21

Most Pleasant and Profitable Year
i'll History of Agricultural and
Technical College for Col
Orcu Youth Closes.

Greensboro ~ G., May so. 1919
With the award Of diplomas to tho
six graduates for degrees and the is.
suancc of proficiency certificates &c
three other members of the gradual
ing class the Commencement Excr.
ciScs of the Agricultural and Tcchni-
cal College were brought to Il close
here yesterday this ending one Of tho
most peculiar, pleasant and profitable
years in the cvcntful history of the
ms tuition.
The address of the day was made
by Judge Robert II. Terrell of the
Municipal Court Of Washington, D..
G. one Of the most conspirious cXpon
cntS OF the new era in the life Of the
American Negro.
The exercises opened at 2 o'clock
and The line marched in singing "On
ward Christian Soldiers" After pray
CT by Rev. W. IL. Carter the religious
part of the opening ceremonies was
continued by Scripture reading and
prayer by Rev j. Srarlctt of Provi-
0cncc Baptist Church, city and the
singing of Il favored Negro spiritual
'Ain1 Coin to Study War No More"
This selection was most fcclingly
rendered by the studcnt-hody and
much enjoyed by the audience. Fol
lowing came The demonstrations by
Jerry Green of the Mechanical Depart
mcnt and j. IL. Tucker Of Agricu-
tural Drpartmcnt--thc first making
TN electrical lamp and the latter deal
ing with incubation. The Academic
Department was represented by j. H.
Boldcn who in very chastc English
discussed "rho Value of Time. !"
efficiency and Modern Times" He
concluded "dcmand full and careful
utilization OF every moment OF our
time"
The real feature Of the evening. the
address of Judge Torrcll came next.
hNveting the attention of his auditors
10 his theme for the evening by tell
ing peculiarly fitting annecdotc, the
Judge proceeded to discuss "Our Prob
lem" In 4 manner Enthusiastically
his own, the Judge related the history
or the Negroes being brought to this
country against his will, told the
story Of the Negroes more than $50
years of involuntary servitude under
the system of slavery, spoke at length
or the Negroes accomplishments in
making the step from tho auction
block to the school housc-frOm Slav
cry to education and proved that the
Negroes are today responding eagerly
to every one Of their educational op
portunitics. In conclusion the Judge
urged the members Of the graduating
class to get as close to the white pco
pic rs possible Said he "No country
in tho history OF the world has done
as much for the under man as the
white people have done for the Nc
gro" "Do not rush to the crowded
cities Of the North, he wise and re
main in the Negroes homc-the South"
In representing the speaker the
speaker of the occasion. the President
as was his custom during the cXercis
cs Of the week, took orcasion to give q
resume Of tho college activities dur
ing tho year and to comment upon
the spirit OF helpfulness and loyalty
OF the teachers and students during
the most trying periods Of the schools
history through which he has led it
during the war for world democracy
More than 200 students and teachers
served in the war and four made the
supreme sacrifice.