Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-08-07
GLENWOOD SEMINARY.
Mr.. 0rcutt'S Address to the Graduating
Class, on Comforting Diplomas.

Oldoo, On OOlllcIIilS DlplUllldS.
YOUNG LADIES': You expect from me a word
of counsel and encouragement, before we close
the exercises of this anniversary.
We pause here to mark the silent but rapid
flight of time. How unconscious have we been
of the changes it has wrought upon ourselves
and the world around us. 1t seems bat as yes
terday that | spoke the sad farewell to my first
graduating class, in another locality Yet,
since that time, nearly quarter of century
has passed away. Many classes have followed
each other, in quick succession, through
course of study, into the wide world.
And where now are these graduates of other
yearsp Some have borne the burdens, sus-
tanned the responsibilities and share the hon
ors of mature life ! some have struggled with
misfortune and tasted the bitter cup of be-
reavement and sorrow; others have passed to
the dim land of shades and to their final ac-
count; and one who was with US year ago, has
exchanged her bridal robe for the habiliments
of the grave.
And since the time referred to, a new gen.
now before me, have passed through every
process of development from infancy to matu-
r:ty. A thousand unseen agencies have silently
operated to produce this change in your physi-
cal intellectual and moral nature. These have
been your educators they have made you what
you are.
The past is gone. The results of your toll
and fidelity have, in a measure, been realised.
Your wasted hours and lost oppo rtunities for
self-cuture and usefulness, cannot be recalled.
The present and future alone are yours.
/ would here remind you that it is your
privilege to mingle in scenes the most impor-
tant that history has ever recorded. No age,
through all the centuries of the past, was ever
so fruitful of thrilling events as the present /;
10 year has ever dawned upon the world that
can be compared with 1862.
And you live in America have been reared
and educated in her mild and invigorating eli
mate and under the influence of her Puritan
Homes and Free Institutions. In no other age
or country, has woman ever enjoyed such ad-
vantages In all the ancient nations, she lived
in servtude. In Asia she is still degraded; in
Europe, her common condition is that of ap-
parent and absolute inferiority, but in America,
under the protecting and benign influence of
Christianity, she is rising to take her proper
position in the family and in society This
land, young ladies', is to be your field of labor,
as you go forth from the toll and discipline OF
school life. And the duties that will devolve
upon you, sufficiently indicate the Importance of
the thorough, liberal education which you have
sought in this Institution.
You are expected now 10 become the orn-
ament, the genius, the presiding, animating,
enlivenng spirit of Home. You may in your
own sphere, become the motive power Of that
simple, yet strongest force Of our civilization.
For it is the influence of Home that deter
mines the civilization Of any people. And the
character of that influence, is measured by the
cnlture, intelligence and virtue of woman
Look over our country. Trace the influence of
home life as it flows in every direction and de-
velops itself in overt acts of virtue or vice,
charity or avarice, loyalty or treason. Have
you ever thought of it The line that divides
the loyal from the seeding states of our Union,
is the exact Southern boundary of free and lib
eral education. And this difference in educa-
tional advantages, determines the character OF
home influence. Hence, in Southern homes,
and under the protection Of Southern Institu-
tions, have been bi ed the scorpions of Treason.
But our Northern and Western homes that
cluster beneath the shadows of our mountains
around the borders of out beautiful lakes upon
the slopes of our free hills and along the shores
of our sounding sea, are the abodes Of virtue
intelligence and patriotism which have ever been
the source of our prosperity, and are now ouI
only protection and defence, in this hour of ma.
tional conflict and peril. Your education should
therefore, better prepare you to adorn and ell
evate your future homes
Moreover, you have been educated for So
cietyi not merely for social intercourse but fol
social life. You are expected to carry into the
world, cultivated mind, graceful manners, {
sincere heart, righteous principle, and thai
generous polileness which springs from pure
and womanly character.
A brilliant woman may be admired, though
unprincipled and heartless, But the intelligent