New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-04-15

"a power. We know that we can get within the

and power. We know that we can get within the
es nd aI Pass the SPACE 10 aS
vigilance. We will take lesson from the patience
of the astronomer, whose ceaseless vigs, unrayel-
ed the mysteries of the circling worlds, and with
| agDnizing heart and fearful eyes will look up to
| heaven and pray for intellectual light.
| But ciassmates--you who now enter the business
of lite, and you who intend to pursue your studies
|-whSteyer be our pursuits let us all be guided by
truth and honesty; let the strotos integrity char
acteFiGe all our transactions; devoted adherence
to some worthy aim mark our labors and soon
some of US may stand before the community, as
| the beacon to the mariner. Great men have ruled
the world-but what is more, they have also ruled
| the hearts of men. coverings monuments and
| pri1cely statues have been reared to their memory
| by the admirations of their people. Their names
aud deeds are eushrned in our hearts, and can
never never die. Is it not worth an effort to seek
to be like them? All, yesl but the burden is heavy
and the journey is long. II matters not, push on
ward! We must be satisfied with nothing short of
earthly excellence, and we may at length, reach
| the goal of our early ambition. Bitter animosties
may assa us. False friends may deceive us. Un-
seen dangers may surround us. Wilcs may be laid
10 ensnare us.
But, notwithstanding all this, let our choice be
| like that of the young Mercules. 1t is said that
when he had reached that age at which he must
make choice of his course, he day retired to Il
| sequestered spot to mediate upon his situation,
| when suddenly two females of more than ordinary
statue, presented themselves before him. One
was eomey but bloated from too high living. She
aHeCled del1Cacy anu sOltneSS, nut every LOOK anu
action was studied and constrained. Art had
sought, by paints and gaudy attire, to give her that
complexion and form which nature had denied her.
| The other was open and amable in counterance,
and elevated with air of conscious dignity. Her
| person was adorned with native elegance, her
| look with modesty, every gesture with decency,
| and her garments were purest white. One was
called Pleasure, and she first addressed him. she
said she would lead him through smooth and
| HoWery paths, where pain and sorrow should not
| once APPEAR When she had finished, Virtue for
! that was the others name, then spoke. She told
| him " there was no excellence without great labor:
il he would obtain the favor of the gods, he must
adore Them if it was his ambition that all Greece
| should esteem him, all Greece must first share
| the benefits arising from his labors.n Classmates,
you know the life of Hercules was life of labors
| and not Of pleasures Let US choose as he did ;
| and when we have made our choice, let us select
for our motto that which has gracefully adorned
our schoolboy paper-"Push onward"-~and we
must succeed. But if we meet not with what
| smiles of an approving conscience, and when
lfe's fitful fever is ended, soar away to add our
voices to the swelling symphonies of the heavenly
| choir.
| And now, gentlemen of the Board, kind Super
intendent and Teacher thankful for your kindness
| in the past, as pupils, we bid you adieu. Through
| life we shall endeavOr to prove gratitude to
you, by faithful performance of every duty, rigid
adherence to truth, and lasting respect for the
cause Of education and religion.
| And to you, our late fellow. pupils of the High
School, bearing with the fond associations of the
past, trusting that your lives may be traught with
| triumphs and with joys, as schoolmates and daily
| companions, we speak the word, farewell!