As amid flowers, by floral ladder, under arches festooned with the brightest buds and blossoms, and before the smiles of friendly faces the class of '96 received their diplomas from the hand of Principal Foster, a new event was chronicled in the history of this school and of Liberty county, in which it is located. Its importance is not that the county is so young, for her history extends back one hundred and twenty years; but that now after more than a century of existence she drecks herself with this bright flower of hope and accomplishment.

This is the first class either white or colored that has ever graduated in this county. These were the first graduating exercices ever held within its limits. Do you wonder that people came from far and near to behold what many of their eyes had never seen before? Do you wonder that an old gray-headed father said “This is what I prayed for way back yonder in the dark, that the children might have the light. Now I am so glad the light has come”?

The Baccalaureate sermon was preached in the Midway Congregational Church by the pastor, Rev. A.L. De Mond. His subject was “Character, Conduct, and Culture the Foundations for Success in Life.” There was a large attendance of students, parents, and friends.

The graduating exercises would have reflected credit on any institution of like grade. The oration by a young man on the “Past, Present and Future of the Negro” showed knowledge of the past, intelligent comprehension of the present, and hope for the future. It showed thought and skill in preparation, and was delivered with grace, dignity and earnestness. The essay by a young lady on “The Opportunities for the Women of our Race” pointed out in modest, beautiful, yet forcible language the work that should be done by the women of her race in the elevation of her people. Before clear, pointed, practical, and presented in an easy, graceful manner it made an impression upon all.

Declamations, recitations, readings, duets, and quartets, by undergraduates were mingled in the programme, making the exercices pleasant and interesting.

Six ministers were present, representing the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches. At the close of the exercies, brief remarks were made by the visiting clergymen, who spoke in warm praise of all they had seen and heard. A series of resolutions commending the work of Dorchester Academy were read by the pastor in behalf of the People's Educational Association, which is composed of the parents, patrons, and friends of the school.

This school is situated in the center of an area fifteen miles square that contains six thousand colored people. Then when we consider that this area is flanked on all sides by others almost as densely populated, and that into all the surrounding counties the graduates and students from this institution carry the light of learning as they go to teach, we see that directly and indirectly no less than ten thousand people are educationally blessed and benefited by the work done here by the American Missionary Association, without which they would be in mental darkness and spiritual death.

Source:
American Missionary Association, The American Missionary, Volume 50, Issue 7, New York: July 1896, pp. 224-225

Submitted by Bob Franks