The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-07-10

Great excelieucc ,,,;il ,irings is the property
ouv OF tile loftiest intellccts, and the most
brilliant geruses. Bat let lis not Therefore grow
dcspordcrt anG IDLE bcc.;l!sc we are rot Of them.
We may, indcee!, afford to have them uncnyi-
cd in their exalted sphere and solitary pride Of
place, seeing ourselves surrounded by such a
mighty host Of others Of humber capacities,
vet of snch a grade as to be equally or even
more available, with whom wcmay vie in quail
ifviug ourselves for the useful, arduous, noble
and telling duties of life, by aiming at eminencc
in one or more of the different departments Of
cxertion. Doubtless, my young friends, you
do not very satisfactorily perceive what immc-
diatc or indirect bearing the studies and cxcr-
cises to which you have been daily subjected
in your academic course may have in the diff
ferent spheres of usefulness in life; vet, though
now you only see as through glass darkly,
yet ere long you will see it palpably before
you, and with almost mathematical precision
you will be able to measure its exact influence
in fixing and shaping Your own destiny, as
well as that of those by whom you are sur
rounded, and with whom you are most closely
onnected-whcn you in your turn, like those
who have gone before you, will then become
the strongest advocates, for the continued and
systematic regimen through which you are
now passing God has unqucstiona5ly enacted
if VIC wish excellence in any thing we must
achieve it for ourselves. Those already en-
gagged in the business and struggles Of life
know this for truth, a glorious and inspiring
truth to higb-spirited and noble souls; but a
stern and hateful maxim to the ignorant and
inactive who feel no particle OF the divine es-
sence pcrvading ard auimating their dull,
heavy, sluggish minds and bodies. The young,
however, are not so surely convinced of this
truth. Being accustomed to depend upon
others for nearly every step they take, they
grow familiar with the notion that it will be 50
through life, hence it is difficult to convince
them of the advantage and necessity Of unas-
sisted, personal efforts. Whatever honorable
inducements therefore can hc held out to this
end in any Of their undertakings. but more es-
pecially with u view 10 melting them to supc-
ror conquests in their academic course, ought
to he eagerly laid hold OF, both by parents and
teachers Such were the considerations which
urged Your teacher at the commencement OF
this scholastic year. to propose few prizes to
those who were willing TO enter the list of GER
erons contentior for the palm of excellence i'll
their prescribed studies. ] therefore offer g"",
Young ladies, NY Most cordial congratulations
who animated by the love of learning and
the wish of honor;ng your parents, mob y step
ped forwart! upon the coarse, and have borne
the dust AMI heat awl labor Of tie session.
congratulate, .pu on the slcrpsSfa! ;rr''r,;.atior
of vour tUit. rms c,',onoi Gpt%. i'io cEti
nobiy crowns the work. do iot i"I "rc IIn,
mcnl believe ;na these incre i'au!'ias roses,
for yoi any intrinsic value or tia ihc "Ssc:
fomr. o.,r'' conf, prompt iil'' 'e<'"c to have
such :. weight Of -..j": ro!H ; p.,a. ;'""
g.v. a,c6., or could lave inspired y"nr nobl,
e,nuaion. Nor woud ! have Won look upoI
/ them ia containing !iary ,'aats oi the moro
! precious nleta lniHeL with so liiany oi haScr
-rery far from ii. They are the bad geS T.,
! which choose to manifest my appreciation o
your conduct aid admiration of the very salts
! factory, handsome aud decided manrcr il
! which von have distinguished yourselves il
your studies They. are to You trust villa
the little laurel branch WAS to the most illus
tros in the Olympic contc<ts--a prize witt
which the noblcst Greek, who proudly trod tn
glorious streets of Athens, would have esteem
cd the most brilliant crown OF the riches
kingdom in the world as trash in the colnpari
son. You have fairly won them and the sam
native worth and genuine elevation Of sou
which prompted yonr generous, unselfsll ci
forts, will also teach You how 10 vaIu" au
.rt:r ''fe'.