[Illustration: VIEW ON BAYOU AT HOUSTON.]
On the evening of the 6th, a crowded audience being in attendance, there were declamations and readings, with vocal and instrumental music at suitable intervals. Then came addresses by Rev. Dr. E. B. Wright, a trustee of the Institute, and by other prominent clergymen and educators. The evening closed with a general reception in which visitors, students and faculty gave themselves up to a happy hour of congratulations and whole hearted social intercourse such as colored people so much delight in.
On the 7th inst., essays, declamations, readings and music were listened to with unwearied attention by another large audience, including many distinguished visitors, who stayed from the beginning to the end of the exercises.
The oration by A. S. Green, on “The Possibilities of Our People, and how they may be realized,” was received by the audience with special interest. At the conclusion of the exercises, addresses were delivered by Gov. O. M. Roberts, Ex-Gov. E. J. Davis, and other leading citizens. All the speeches were of deep interest, and whether from Democratic or Republican lips, they were alike full of appreciative good will toward the noble work done by such agencies as the American Missionary Association. In particular, I wish space and memory would permit me to write out for publication, every word uttered by Govs. Roberts and Davis, but their words on paper would convey but a feeble impression of the interest and emotion exhibited by them. As might have been expected from an audience largely colored, the addresses were listened to with breathless attention, except at intervals marked by hearty, though decorous, applause.
A noted feature of the exercises was the good elocution of the students, resulting mainly from the brief training received at the Institute. To one accustomed to the old time thick and indistinct plantation pronunciation, the change seemed indeed wonderful.
Those who had seen the students at the beginning and at the end of the term remarked a striking improvement in their personal appearance. Intellectual, moral and spiritual culture had impressed its stamp upon their countenances and was exhibited in their deportment.