140
LOCAL NEWS.
VOL. VIII,
out many good points which.had not conic
to our mind before. Miss Minnie Codding's
essay, "The Power of Thought," was a forc
ible argument in favor of culture. Miss
Elllo Chaso received much commenda
tion for her rendering of the "Painter of
Seville." Mr. 0. E. Stratton closed tho
programme with what we call the best
exhibition effort of the year. It was his
oration, "American Thought." In
thought, style, tone and delivery it was
excellent, and was a credit to the speaker
and the Society. This exhibition was
noticeable for the new material it brought
out, several of the participants making
their first public appearance on that
evening. They sustained the highest
hopes of their friends, and received many
lloral tributes, (bouquets) attesting the
appreciation of the audience. The Socie
ty returns thanks to the ladies and gentle
men of this city who assisted with music.
On the evening cf the 7th the Opera
House was early filled with an audience
whose impatience for the appearance of
the Palladian's chosen representatives,
gave place to a high state of good, humor
which continued from the appearance of
the performers upon the stage, throughout
the evcnng. After the invocation by
Rev. C. C. Harris, an instrumental duel
was excellently rendered by Misses Gillette
and Rector. Mr. F. O. Morton then ap
pcared upon the stage, and kept the audi
ence tickled for some time with a Satire, de
tailing the experience of one Peppergrass,
a victim of newspaper blowing aud cmi
gration pamphlets, who came out west ex
pecting that mother Earth would yield up
her treasures on ..slight provocation or
none at all. The grasshoppers, the agri
cultural implement man, the lightning rod
"man and the money lender did their work,
and Mr. Peppergrass remains iwilh us
only because he is too poor to get away.
Mr. J. C. F. McKesson followed with
an original poem, "Tothc Class of '70".
It abounded in poetical thoughts, and was
a fine tribute to the class. It was highly
spoken of by all. A quartette, by Misses
Gcrrans and Sessions, aud Messrs. Jones
aud Alford, followed. An oration by Mr.
II. W. Caldwell was next on the pro
gramme. Mr. Caldwell is an easy, lively
speaker. His subject was "Liberty". He
showed that we do not grant to all the lib
erty of which we boast so much. If a
man puts forward a new theory, he is treat
ed with distrust and suspicion. A new
idea brings obloquy aud contempt upon
its origit.ator. The speaker was warmly
applauded. Miss Kate Gillette (hen sang
a solo, "When Swallows Build". A de
bate upon the question of the Negro exo
dus followed. Mr. Foslcr was to have
spoken on the afilrmative but was unable
to be present. His debate was read by
Mr. Silvcrnail. Mr. McLean took thu
ncgativu. This gentleman is graceful on
the stage and speaks in a very earnest
manner. The debate on both sides was
good; better than is often presented beforo
a Lincoln audience. It would be impos
siblc for us to give a synopsis in our small
space. A beautiful solo, "Alice, where art
thou", by Mrs. Raymond. The subject of
the oration by D. II. Mercer, was "liespica
Finem." We should not bo so busily en
gaged with the present, that we can't look
to the end. More practical knowledge
and less of the classics should be taught;
at least if we make a study of the classics
it should be more thorough than the cus
tom is at present. Mr. Cliase's rendition
of "The Vagabonds" was really fine.
The difl'ercnt tones of the tramp when
addressing his dog, when calling up sad
memories, when singing his drinking
song, were excellently modulated. The
gestures were animated and natural.
We never heard the piece rendered bet
ter. The Valedictory of J. O. Sturdcvant
who graduates this term was a fine efibrl
Sensible, moderate in views aid true to
his opinions, Mr. Sturdcvant will make
his mark. Applause and llowcrs greeted
him at the close. Every body went home
in a good humor, feeling that the Pallad
ian had fairly out dona themselves.
Ji 1 igrmw