Commencement Day

Notwithstandiog the oppressive heat of last Friday, many hundred friends of our high school and its graduates, gathered in University hall to witness the cbsing scène of the past years' work oL the high school senior class. The stage decorations were very fine, - a fringe of evergreen and flowers extending around the front, while on the wall at the rear, worked on a black back-ground in large white letters, were the words, "Esse quam videri," the class motto. Beneath were the figures, "88." Flowers were abundant, and bright drapery caught up by iestoons of roses added color to the bright and cheerful surroundings. Prof. W. S. Perry, flanked on either side by Rey. Dr. Ryder, and Prof. J. G. Pattengil!, occupied the ceuter of the stage. To their right were the members of the school board, and to the rear and left of the gentlemen first mentioned were seated the graduates, aeventy-one in number. After music by the Chequamegon orchestra, Rev. Dr. Earp offered prayer. More music followed, when Prof. Perry made the first announcement - "Are we Free," by WILLIAM BLAIR, Chambersburg, Pa. Mr. Blair said that ':there neyer had been a uation in the world'a history that had not been the subject of criticism. No nation in the world ever made the progresa in the same Iength of time that thia nation has, and jet people are continually finding fault, and crying out 'we are not free; we mu3t change our institutions.' This cry does not come from the bravest American, bnt from the Anarchist and Communist. They believe in an equal distribution of property, of no restrictive laws, and consequently a government from their ideas, would be impo&sible. We have the best government, the best laws, the most liberty, of any natoon on earth, and if there is freedom anywhert, it is here." "Wï GIRLS," BY nANNAH M. ANDERSON, Green, lowa, was a delightful essay. Miss Anderson referred to the time when "we girls" were found nowhere but at home, brewing and baking. They were confined to "woman's sphere." "But now this is all cbanged. All avocations are open to us, and we are at liberty to choose what we will. But we raust at first determine what we are fitted for. We should follow the lead of our natural inclinations, and then work with a will. The best guide is knowledge iteelf; by its aid let us find our place and in it put our lives. He succeeds best who learns self, and builds it into individual exellence." MISS LIZZIE M. BAILEY, OF ANM ABBOR, discussed "The Law of the Conventional" setting forth its arbitrary characteristics, and showing how man was hemmed in bv lts insolent dictation. "Root vs. Blossom," was the subject of a well written essay by MIS3 NELLIK OÜTLKR, Fisher, Mich. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever. All thiags in nature are beautiful, - the dew drops, the flowers, and the birds. Flowers are emblems of friendship and unity, and all mankind are better for their presence. But is not mental beauty above all these? Ia not the beauty of such grand minds as those of Shakespeare, Milton, Bacon, Longfellow, more beautiful and more Iasting than the mere passing beauty of nature. The advancement of the world in the arts and sciences is due to su3h men as these. Qharacter is the root, and life the blossom. In considering the blossom we are too apt to overlook the root from which t springs. Character is the fountain head, and ü, and not the superficial production, should be the object of our admiration or criticism." DONALD O. DODGLAS, Ann Arbor, delivered an excellent oration, entitled "Wanted - Men." Mr. Douglas began by reference to the first chapter of Genesis, where man was made in öod's own image. "If all men would walk on the plane of this God-given existence, there would be no cali for men. But we need .men everywhere. We want men who will not sell their souls. who will not destroy body as well as soul by haunting saloons and beer garden9. We want more solid, honest business men. We want better cashiers and bank directora. Both are becoming scaroe in this coantry, while Canada is in danger of a plethora of them. Wanted men in Congress, who will cast votes fcr the people and not for party. We want men everywhere, who respect honor and truth, and who love to walk uprightly before God and man." "Liberty's Gift to the Old World," by MISS HATTIE V. HAVILAND, of Ann Arbor, was an admirable production. "Americans have been accused of boaating, and being proud of their conntry. Well, we have a right to be proud of it. We are proud of our great foresta, proud of our great, blue lakes and winding rivers. What do we care if our English cousins do come over here and go home disappointed because we cannot show them castles, battlements and towers. We have demonstrated our natural independence. We have a fame abroad. The poor and oppressed of all climes look to us [COSCLCDED ON 8EC0ND PAO] COMMENCEMENT DAY. [CONTHTOÍD FBOM riBST PAGE.] 6 a haven of safety from the many afflictions and trials of all the old world. Look at those poor Russian prisoners in their dark disraal dens of stone and iron, making from their garments little flags of red white, and blue, and hanging them in the windows of their dungeons on the 'Fourth of July,' showing that with tbem 'America' was the synonym of happiness, peaee and liberty." AUSTIN C. OORMLEY, AKN ARBOR, handled his subject "The new West," in a masterly manner. "There is one man who stands pre-eminent in our history. That man is the homesteader. Nothing has ever checked or retarded the westerr. maich of world makers. The desire for free homes is the star that attracts all acros3 our plains and rivers to the great boundless west It was the opinión of noted men not a century ago, that it would take fifly or a hucdred yearg for civilization to reach the Mississippi; but in lees than half a century we have spread out, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The great west furnishes homes for all, and already is more wealthy in lands, mineral?, and stock than the east. New states are demanding admission to the Union, 8nd the time will soon come when, in the Ianguage of Charles Sumner, we shall have these 'new states added to our bright galaxy of state, and shall have but one constitution, but one liberty, but one destiny.' " "The Mission of the Bells" was portrayed in a beautiful and touching manner by MISS MATILDA A. NEUMANN, ANN ARBOR. "The memories of the bells of our childhood's days will never grow dim. Dear old bells I As we hear them we love them, but hardly know why. They bring to us tidings of joy, peace and good will. ágain, they often peal out in sad, solemn tones, echoes that bring to our hearts sadness and sorrow. There is the little tinkling bell of the meadow, and the full, deep-toned bell of the cathedral. Then there is the fire bell, with ita quick, sharp clang, causing our hearts to stand still, and our faces to blanche with fear cf itnpending danger. The old Liberty Bell ! what a history it has, ringing out tyranny and oppression, and ringing in liberty, peace and happiness to all men. And the old high school bell ; it will ring for us no more, but its notes will re-echo along down the corridors of time, and in our dreams of the happy past we will again be hastening to the school-room in answer to its cheery cali." Miss Neumann's imitation of the tones of the different bel!?, was very good. FRED. C. KENT, 01' DDNDEE. spoke of "Great Occasions Make Great Men." "Great men are men of honor, prudence, ability, and sagacity. These qualities are often broue;ht out by f orce of circumstanceê. Did Luther make the Reformation or did the Reformation make Luther? The Reformation began in the fourteenth century before Luther was bom. Wickliffe and Hoüpl preached against papacy and the pope years before Luther was known. But Luther seized the opportunity ; he enlarged upon it and made himself fsmous. Bonaparte had a splendid military educatioo; the revolution gave htm the chance to use it, and he became emperor of the French. The greatness of Washington as a general and statesman would hare remained dormant and unknown had not the revolution called his great resources into action. The same may be said of Lincoln, whose name will be spoken in history as the emancipator of slavery." MISS ROBA PULCIPHER, ANN ARBOR, discuised the subject of "Tongues," in a happy vein. " 'Speech is silver ; silence is golden.' We have among us all kinds of tongues. We have the busy tongue, that is hung in the middle and wags at both ends; the gossiping tongue that every one hates ; the scolding tongue that sometimes should be treated as in olden times - ducked under water until its wagging ceased ; the sarcastic tongue that we never wish to hear and should always be prepared to meet ; the eloquent tongue that sways multitudes, and should never be used but in a good cause. The tongue is the source of all good and evil in the world." "Should Science be made Popular," by DAVID MCMORRAN, PORT HÜROS. "A large part of the popular science of the day is of no valué. Books contain formulas that cannot be carried out. There is too much about it that is misty and uncertain. Science should dealless with glittering generalities, and more with practical subjects." FBEDRICK B. RYDER, OF AtiH ARBOR, spoke of "Commissioner Atkin's Order." "Among the Indians under government care, are three classes of schools : 1, Schools taught by contract; 2, Mission schools ; 3, Schools supported by missionary aid frora outside. Commissioner Atkins issued an order that all books used in these schools should be printed in the English language. In the mission schools the Indian language could be used to explain English terms. There are 65 languages among thendians, and to suocessfully teach them one common language must be used." MISS M. ELOISE WALKER, ST. JOHNS, read an excellent essay entitled "Guilty or Not Guilty." "Man is a unit that forms a part of the whole. A wrong by him affects the whole. If there was but one man he could do no wrong, as there would be no one to wrong. The old manner of settling disputes by the invocation of miracles, and the wage of battle, has given way to trial by jury. This is far from perfect, but is an improvement. Innocent persons are sometimes pronounced guilty, and guilty ones acquitted as innocent. Jurors are but human and liable to err. The greatest safeguards should be thrown around the jury system, to prevent if possible judicial blunders." Prof. Perry then presented the diplomas to the class. Music, and the benediction by Rev. Dr. Eyder, closed the exercises. The presentation of flowers to the successful candidates was not made until after the audience had dispersed. The following are the names of the graduates: Classical Course- Hannah M. FAnderson, Gertrude M. Bundy, John K. Earp, Frederick D. GreeD, Jacob Morrison, Frank Morrison, John B. Miller, Cari D. Perry, Frederick B. Ryder, M. Eloise Walker. Latin Courst - Harry L. Bird, Lizzie II Batley, Kate Cramer, Julia F. Ehrraan Austin C. Gormley, N. Fay Leas, William R. Murray, Marión G. Paul, George C Slater, BUie M. Sheldon, Frederick B. Sturm, Charles F. Vaughn, Cari C. Warden. English Course- Flora H. Bourns, Nellie Cutler, Iris Carr, Martha M. Drake, Donsld O. Douglas, Fannie C. Gardner, Russell H. Hemley, Hattie V. Haviland, AgDes M. Leas, Emma C. Lutz, Olga B. Laubengayer, Ray J. McColl, Matilda A. Neumannn, Clara E. O'Toole, Roba Pulcipher, LeRoy Southmayd, CharleBO. Whitcomb. Sdentific Course- Ella M. Brush, Wilhelmine L. Bender, Frank W. Clay, Ruth B. Durheim, Cari W. Hertel, Beulah B. Johnson, Walter J. Kent, Fred C. Kent, George Katzenberger, Virginia Law, Eugenia Mogk, D tvid McMorran, Matilda A. Neumann, LeRoy Southmayd, Vernon B. Sherrod, Allie C. Tolchard. Margarette O. Ulber, Mary E. Vaughn, Cari C. Warden, Carrie R. Owens. Engineering Course - John R. Allen, William Blair, William H. Dorrance, Clinton P. McAlln8ter, Edward M. St. John. Commercial Course - John Bradley, George S. Donahue, William F. Fischer, Mabel M. Gormley, Martin R. Hoar, LewisB. McCardy, Edward Sharpe, Henry W. McNally.