The High School Commencement

Ninety - seven graduates received their diplomas a the Ann Arbor high school commencement last Friday. The orators and essayists proved that the school has not deteriorated any from itshigh standing. David E. Carman spoke of the Duties of the Minorities. lts power he said might be used to prevent the passage of unwise legislation, to edúcate the public. He claimed that a man does not throw away his vote by voting with theminority. He only planted seed for future harvests. Miss Gertrude M. Case, of South Lyon, in writing of "Simon says Thumbs up," presented Simon in the light of fashion. When Simon says thumbs up, people will undergo any species of inconvenience and even torture, but what thumbs will go up. When people had acquired more common sense thumbs would not go up. Burt L. Foster, of Scio, spoke of our Merchant Marine. It was the hope of our fathers that this should become a great maritime nation. He blamed congress for not encouraging steamship lines with bounties, and said that when iron and steel become cheaper and the government fosters our shipping, England's valuable trade will copie to us and we may expert a niritime supremacy. Miss Theresa Grube wrote on Nations as Mound Builders. All nations are mound builders. Egypt built up astronomy and the sciences; Phoenicia, literature, etc. The nations of the present are building for the future. Miss Edith K. Hitchcock, of Ann Arbor, took as her subject the Religión of the Aeneid. She thought Virgil might well be called the herald of Christianity, since he drew men's thoughts to a higher anc purer atmospnere. rus concepción of the future life embraced all that was highest and best in the beliefs of the time. Conrad George, of this city, gave an excellent oration on Our Public Schools. The government of the United States is supported by a free ballot of a free people and its foundation rests upon the granite rock of intelligence. The public schools furnish the solution of the problem of how to assimilate the composite prejudices and ways of the many races which pour in upon this country. The supreme function of our schools is to infuse into the children,patriotism and loveof country. Miss F. Mabelle Halleck, of Ann Arbor defended Xantippe. Zantippe scolded her husband Sócrates because he was a lazy, shiftless sort of a fellow who enjoyed loafing about the streets and in bar-rooms while she had to take boarders and keep the little Sócrates clothed and fed. Miss Eunice A. Janes, of Ann Arbor, wrote on Shams, taking off at length the foibles and pretences of the day. Pretences seem to satisfy the human mind. All the world liked to be humbugged. Miss Emma C. Klais, of Ann Arbor,told about the Norse Mythology. Norway was majestic, mountainous, cloudy, dark and grand, and their gods partook of these characteristics. Miss Johanna K. Neumann, of this city, described the numerous Chronic Grumblers, who are to be :ound everywhere, whocastashadow over everything and know how everything should be done. Edson R. Sunderland pointed oui Some Defects in Our Presidential Svstem. He sooke of the disruption of business consequent upon frequent elections, the expense and corruptions of the campaign, the changes in the office holders. He would extend the presidential term to eight or ten years and make the president ineligible to asecond terra. Miss Charlotte E. Pickett, of Ann Albor, spoke of Leaders. Even among children it was noticed tha one or two propose all the game and take the lead. Leaders must be quick, active, energetic and good udges of human nature. Leaders should be themselves what they would lead others tobecome. Miss Bessie B. Stevens, of Ann Arbor, chose as her title Not Completed. Life's work is only one of jreparation. The red ribbon movenent left its work uncompleted, the abolition of slavery did not fully settle the question of human rights. The needie of the mariner'scompass points to the north but neverreaches he north pole. The work at school does not finish our education but joints the way to greater learning. Víctor C. Willoughby, of Owosso, spoke of the Advantages of a Business Education. The business men have the greatest influence of any class of people. Ignorance will not rule the world. He wished to banish ignorance and diffuse knowledge everywhere to all men.