The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-02
1T seems as II LIES brilliant sun
Had stopped in full career,
To make this hour its brightest one,
AND fest in rad iauce here -

And rest IN lance here.
For years we have been toiling, patiently and
assiduousy for the honors now about TO be con.
ferred upon us. Slowly, by gentle degrees we
have climbed the fair hill Of science aud if orr
ascent has at times been retarded by the
rough and finty pathway, the thorn and the
bramble, our feet also have pressed the velvet sod
moss covered dells, and our senses been RECALLED
with the odors of myriad flowers that bloomed
along the way.
1t is not for the empty honor of possessing
scrolls which shall certify that we have finished
tile prescribed course OF studies taught in our
schools that we so much rejoice il is not because
Ike imprisoned birds set free, we are henceforth
liberated from the confinement and discipline of
tie schoolroom, which, al tines must prove chat
ing to the feelings OF the young, thas we are 80
exuliant.
A superior course of instruction has served to
disslpate al such erroneous ideas, and Undue US
With higher and nobler aspirations than the
mere freedom from toll and restraint, or the own
erkhip of a deploma.
We rejoice and are glad because we have
succeeded in storing our minds with useful
knowledge which shall be light and guide to
Us through the dark places Of this earth, and
fit us to enjoy in a more refined degree its sum
mer scenes, and the fowery ways through which
God, in his providence and mercy may direct
US because by the possession Of such knowl
edge, we may ourselves become instructors of
the young. and by this means-should necessity
require it-gain for ourselves an honorable live
lihoOd, OF aid IN the support of aged parents
or helpless dependents; and we also rejoice to
know that we have brought joy to the hearts
Of our parents, teachers and friends by filling
tie measure of their expectations land in merit
| ing the honors that now await US. But what is
il that is casting shadow over the brightness of
| tbs hour, and causing sadness to press down
| the hearts, but moment before SO bright and
! Joyous? All it is because the last scene 10 our
| salool girl drama is before us. and we must
| now bid farewell to our teachers, schoolmates
and those fond familiar places where we have so
| often assembled, and around which so many fond
associations daily cluster. Alas! I'VE do not
| know how much we love until we come to leave"
Nearestand dearestin the affections of hearts,
of thee, dear teacher, first We take our sad fare.
well. eHH
The heart swells, the voice is sufocated, and
the tongue loses its power 20 portray the inward
| feelings Alright when we turn 10 thee to express
| the deep sense Of love and gratitude which we
cherish for thee. Har
With that irmness which ever commands re.
| spect from the young; that gentle kindness that
| swskens the dearest emotions of love, aud that
| uniting patience which overcomes the most con.
| frmed cases of obstnacy, thou hast endeared
| myself to rs, and formed a tie Of attachment
which no earthly power can sever.
And while memory holds her magic powers,
| and reasons light remains, scenes of the past
| shall rise before us, and sweet membranes of
| thee be awakened. -
To our kind and neverto be-forgotten Father
Sheeran, who, Until of late has superintendent our
| education, and to our present superintendent,
Father Duffy, our warmest thanks are due. In them
We found not the austere masters and unfeeling dis
| eiphnarisns, but the encouraging guides who
| showed us through those labyrinths of learning
which were too intricate for the young mind TO
| penetrate alone, and who regarded our breaches
of order with parental forbearsnce, and strove by
| kind words and gentle persuasi0ns to lead our
steps Alright. And how can we express those
feelings OF love and generation that are swelling
| up in our hearts for that Father who taught NJ
| that though "Youth and the opening rose may
look like things too glorious for decay ever
these, like all other things of earth, must pass
away, and directed our thoughts upward to where