The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-07-01
! sALUslAT0RY ADDRESS,
BY MISS JENNIE v. STUMP, OF VIRGIN

IF we look abroad over the vast extent Of
this great nation, we find Schools and Collie
ges rearing their spires heayenward from
every city, village and hamlet. Among the
thousands that dot our hill sides and cover
our PLANES many are devoted to the interest
Of our sex. Female Colleges are now realt-
ties and no longer exist onlyin the dreams Of
goyel men, but benefit woman and add to
civilization At this season from every di-
raction comes the notice, sUommencemcnt
Day has again7blessed Us" and the welkin
rings with the welcome to parents, teachers,
friends and patrons, a welcome that swells
from the school girls heart as pure and in
spring as anyGthat fails upon the ear. NE
welcome you5 dear Public, gu this our Com
mcnccment Day, as coraiaNyand saHcereiq as
ifsours was the only sFemale College" in all
this land I'VE welcome your preseHea=-ve
thank you for your interest," we are eacou1--
aged by your attention, and hope we deserve
your indulgence. Many Of you have passed
through similar scenes, consequently can
readily understand our emotions and pardon
our slight excess Of enthusiasm, which coun-
tenance and tongue may exhibit We have
much to make Us happy to-day, the tolls Of
another SCHOLASTIC year ara oyer; we have
met with success, and many Of us have gain
ed the object of a, school girls highest ambi-
ton, and, amid all this joy, comes up the
anticipated reunion of friends at home
Nine long months Ga very eternity to those
who have passed but little way on life's
Journey have rolled into the month beyond
the food since our mothers smile and father's
benediction greeted eye. and ear, and We re-
joice that again the time has come, when we
will be folded IN loving arms and wander
amid familiar scenes 10 the eitizens
of Stanton, ito the visitors assembled TO
us honor,we give welcome and feel ,compli-
mented by your presence. as s.f, ~
We hope to-day's exercises may please and
you,and when memory grows dim, and
other scenes are forgotten may you recall
with pleasure the closing exercises of. the
aWesleyan Female Institute" in 1869 To
our respected Board Of Trustees and visiting
Committee we extend d cordial greeting
Magyar neyeF WearTyaiina this good work. and
may all your efforts for the welfare of-aoo.
man be highly successful. My beloved school
mates and classmates, i welcome, yea thrice
welcome you to thereWards and honors that
this day await you. Never had "a ".Homqa
General better cause to exult on his Day Of
Triumph than We have to rejoice on this
our day Of triumph, The lahofs and studies
Of another scholastic year are oucr, and our
reward is here. Often with aching brows and
brains lwesthought,, ssSurcc the chill
Of Science lisa. rugged hill land weary feet
will not gain its heights" but the trials are
passed and the regards are .glaniqus. It is
true we have by no means reached the sum
nit, we must thank opr Great and Al-wise
Father who has crowned our efforts With so
much success, and resolve in years to, come to
do greater things and achieve more splendid
Victories in the fields Of Science.
Let us pause far q short time and enjoy
our present attachments, thea with renewed
seal press, Onward! aud upward ito Tthc
glorious heights that arc before, us.s With
:. 8 Excelsior" on our banners, let. US ever re-
member, what has been attained by others
may be attained byus. &s6@ za E.ais
Finally and before all, we welcome you, be-
loved Principal and .Tcachers. With heart
and tongue DOVE extend kindly greetings
We love YeY-Wefd and deed prove this, and
oneuE Cammencementi Dayqawouha weo.tell
the world how much we owe you, and how
our affections cling to you. You have wooed
us kindly, and led US gently along the paths
oil wisdom. '0qrcfookeq places you'haye made
straight, onr rough places made fsnlooth 3and
endeayored to prepare us for useful lives
You have taaghtius,w what "a solemn thing it
is ato live, and diiecped us tp tlle great Fauns
tain. of all knoEleagei that NO may drink
and never thirst again. May you'never weary
in; welEdoiug,t but continue to teaah other
minds and enEghteaa ether souls, and COM
fort other heart HeaYai bless youas1We
cannot even express thcidepthsi of our emo
tons, but we pray 9Io4rgoed Father to add
to your happiness ins life and receive yoq
into everlasting happiness hereafter = Again
in the name of our sAlma Mater,R ~ we iexs
tend to one and all a hearty welcome. 71il
yALEDICTQRY ADDRESS, ssqsl a.lt
MIG IEssIE. nAvfss OF FEoRINA