The Alumni Association, formed three years ago, was represented on Commencement Day by Mrs. L. L. Wilson, who read an essay on "Homes and How to Make Them," and by Rev. J. W. Roberts, whose theme was "Exceptional Greatness." That afternoon the Alumni held a meeting in the college chapel, when representatives from States as far away as Arkansas and Texas were present, and others were heard from by letter.
At the business meeting it was determined to begin an Alumni fund, in aid either of members of the Association or the College.
The Exhibition of Industrial Work, both of the boys and girls, attracted much attention and warm commendation. The Slater Shop, with its facilities for instruction in much wood, little iron and some paint, made its first annual display, and those who believe in little other education for the child of the late slave, and those who differ from them, all agreed in the great advantages of this industrial training. The work exhibited was good; some of it very choice.
We feel that the College never had a better anniversary; take it all in all, never as good; but with continued help such as we need, by the favor of God this may well be dwarfed by the greater result of the near future. We are looking for that help with increasing confidence.
H. S. DeForest.
TOUGALOO COMMENCEMENT.
The unsurpassed wealth of our roses had just left their vanishing fragrance on the air, only the Cherokees being left in profusion to lend their peculiar charm to our closing exercises, but the grand old oaks standing like guardian sentinels around the grounds, in all the freshness of their early leafage and festooned with the Spanish moss, ever faithful to all seasons, gave to the place a patriarchal appearance, and an air of seclusion from temptation. The healthful cedar boughs and buds bestowed their fragrance like a closing benediction.
Sec. Powell came to us with his strong earnest words of cheer and a lecture on Slave Music, which our young people could illustrate and well appreciate. Gov. Lowry expressed a hearty commendation of the exhibition of work from the industrial department, as well as the orations, essays, dialogue, and declamation. The colloquy on our reading-room indicated that good use had been made of that room, even if the number of volunteers for furnishing news items after dinner had not always been as numerous as might be desired. Supt. Smith told us that many of the best teachers in the State come from this school. Dr. Galloway and the city fathers of Jackson showed their appreciation of the sentiments expressed by the young people, and we heartily wished that the dear, good, noble-hearted workers of the North could have been present, who have so generously opened their purses to educate and fit "our brother in black" for leading his race from a darkness more than "skin deep" to noble citizenship. We wish you could realize, as you only can by seeing it, what a stimulus every such work is to the white people of the South, for as Dr. Haygood stated in his closing address, "though Northern money generously erected these buildings and pays a large share of the salaries here, yet the State pays the young men and women who go out from this school to teach in the country schools."
Dear friends, your investments are bringing in grand returns, but the needs of this race are very great yet. It is sad to see the number who come to this institution with means to pay their expenses for only a part of the year, hoping to come back another year, and trusting that in some way they may be able to continue their studies.