er, is found
in what is done _within_ these buildings--the teaching, the
industries, the making of character.
The graduating exercises were the great attraction. The addresses and
papers of the pupils did not, perhaps, as a whole, quite come up to
what we have heard in other years, but all were good and some of them
of great excellence. One is always impressed at Hampton with the tone
and local coloring of the addresses. They are tinged and touched by
the work done here, and the races for and by whom it is done. The
titles of some of the pieces show this: "What is expected of a Hampton
Graduate." "Hampton Girls." "Mission Work in Tennessee." "Way down in
Georgia." "Progress of the Oneidas." Of the same sort was the closing
tableau, "The Great Father and his Children," a representation by
Indian students, with the implements or products of the industries
they have learned, applying to the Great Father for admission to his
country. The exercises were closed by eloquent addresses, given by
Rev. Dr. Parkhurst, of New York, one of the Trustees, Governor Lee, of
Virginia, and Senator Dawes.
{pg 201}
Atlanta University now welcomes its visitors to its
beautiful green lawns and fields, which were once red clay washed into
deep gullies. The buildings are convenient and well-kept. The
Baccalaureate sermon, delivered by Professor Francis, was very
appropriate and touching. The commencement exercises were held on
Monday, May 28th, and were attended by a vast concourse of people,
many going away because the building, though large, could not give
them room. The aisles were crowded through all the services. The
audiences were, as usual, made up mostly of colored people.
Heretofore, at times, the dignitaries of the State and city have
graced the platform, but Governor Gordon was out of town, and,
perhaps, if he had been at home, he would not have attended. The
recent excitement about the Glenn Bill, and the withdrawal of the
$8,000, the annual grant of the State, have left the relations
somewhat strained. There is, however, no excitement on that subject.
The State authorities have not yet decided what to do with the fund,
and in the meantime, the University goes quietly forward with its
work. Prof. Bumstead has just succeeded in raising the $16,000
necessary to meet the current expenses of the year.
At the anniversary exercises there were no graduates from the college
department this year. Thirteen pupils, all girls, from the n
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