Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-06-29
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q. he STANDARD.

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@ The Standard.
fssSed BY rsqus.. 4 u. Principal ..a Hsss 4 r..
is.sh Tsnale ssmaazyl .-s4.s
ADDRESS,
Dssslred By WILLIAM W. HOLDEN, ESQ.,, Jane
8 1tk 1859, bysrs tho Young Ladies Of Raleigh
3 Fs~as issminory
LADIES AND Gzs4sxEs: The occasion which has
brought y toeet6 one Of peculiar interest We
have assl not 10 engage in the h'vollsies ..
fashion, SIS Is s. "a the senses, or for purposes OF
ana display but to witness the progress
ana Development Of mind-to encourage the rising
homes 81 {e student to add something. it may De,
to that general advancement IN learning in our BE-
loved State, which of late has been 50 marked and
20 gratifying: and to close the exercises for thepresent
of an institution in our midst which has already
been fountain Of instruction to our children, and
which promises in the future still higher good and
still fuller sources Of virtue and knowledge.
The examination just concluded the merit as
crbed to the pupils the exhibitions of proficiency
in science and learning which have been made, and
the scene before us are the results in large degree
Of patient long-continued indefatgable efforts on
the part Of the teachers,-etforts how important
how indispensable to the culture Of the mind and
the heart and how seldom appreciated as they
should 81 It is not my purpose nor is it necessary
before this enlightened audience that should pro-
nounce encomiums on the character Of teachers,
their fidelity, the noble dedication they have made
Of their physical and mental faculties to the COM
mon good; and the rare, accomplishing endurance
with which, comparatively secluded from the world,
they labor for the welfare of their species. Every
person who reflects and reflects justly, will bestow
upon them not only his thanks, but the need Of
gratitude and admiration 71eiS work may be SOW,
and trying and sometimes painful, and it may 60
unrewarded and unapplauded; but it will endure,
for they work. not things pershable, but on that
which which win survive brass and marble, and out
live the stars. Their greatest, and perhaps their
best reward is in the consciousness of duty perform
ed in the quiet contemplation Of the benefits result
ing from their labors, and in the respect and graft
tude in future years of those who were once their
pupils
To many of US IN occasion like this is full of plea
SAINT thoughts and memories. We remember again
the dear hces that gathered with ours around the
masters chair; the generous rivalry, which while it
strengthened our mental sinews, occasioned an hon.
est pleasure to our instructors, as it crowned the
worthest with the wreath of triumph; the friend
ships which were formed reciprocal and lasting and
broken only by the hand of death; the high re-
solves which swelled our bosoms some of which
have been accomplished leaving Others and so many
others, stranded on the shores Of time; the hopes
the anxieties, the of YOUTH so great that we
imagined after years would bring us nothing like
them but alas as the sun ascends the heat in
creases and the burden of the day is not for YOUTH
but for those who can bear it best for themselves
for duty, and for youth itself: And over all these
thoughts and memories sounding with sweet
yesterday, from the bosom of those earlier years,
touching and softenng our hearts, and lifting up the
soul once more into the light of schoolday limo
cence and schoolday truth
Young Ladies' it is not what you have already &C
complished in your studies, which in itself affords
most qualification to your friends That they have
witnessed your progress with solicitude, and expe
rienced qualification at your success in the variet
departments Of science and learning is certainly true
but they look. as you d. to the future and it may
be with expectations differing from yours 1t is tn,
means which you have here acquired, or may be &C
quirng for future usefulness, that they regard witt
superior Qualification. They know, as you vii
lomvn %nakc .l.,A., A. \ L
you, are tangible, substantial things; that imagna
ton, though it adorns and beauties, and is to b.
estimated and nurtured in its time and place. never
theless forms no solid portion of the ediice of rea
son or Of real existence; that the mental and mora
training you have thus far had, is but the CON
mencement Of nterminable years, not Of time mere
y, but of all hereafter and that the means of use
fitness thus bestowed upon you must be improved
or they will vanish as you advance in life, leavin
you to vain repinings for the happiness you nigh
have grasped, and the good you might have dons
They know, as you will learn, that the vista befor
you is not all Of flowers, and rainbows and SUI
shine, and singing birds; that the most beautifi
tints fade soonest as the happiest hours are swes
winged. They know, as you will learn, that tim
wr'tes with an unsparing pen on velvet cheeks an
ruby lips and sprinkles the dust of age on rave
locks and sunny brows. They know, as you wi
learn, that the fashionable world is for the most pa
treacherous and selfish; that smiles do not alwa,
emanate from guileless hearts; that professions an
promises are not always kept; that mere fashion
CHASTITY skeleton adorned with flowers, radiant
the eye, but deadly to the repeated touch and tn
love ITSELF divine descendant from the purer sphere
is basely counterfeited in many an ardent sigh q,
winning look.
Yet every picture has its lights and shades. F
my part, would not reveal one thorn more in 70
path than may await you, nor imagine one cloud t
many in your sky of life. The world, society, fas
ion you will soon know, and you will insist on kno
ing them for yourselves You will have your ov
experience, your own alternate joys and sorrow
your own trials and triumphs. After al, this is
bad world, nor even an unpleasant world to tho