North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-08-25
From the Dubuque Daily Herald.

From the Dubuque Daily Herald.
vAlEDlCT0RY At SANTA CLARA.
We are requested to publish in full the
valedictory, delivered by Miss A. Francis,
on the 9th ult., at the fifteenth annual
commencement of Santa Clara academy,
and we do so not more out of respect for
the wishes of the many friends of this
institution than because of the beautiful
sentiments so eloquently expressed by the
fair valedictorian. It was as follows:
Rec. Clergy, Ladies' and Gentlemen:
The sunny hours of this festive day are
quickly passing, like the wavelets of some
silent river down times returnless tide.
Swiftly the bright pinioned joys are float
ing on to that vast forever, side by side
with those shadowy sorrows which seem
the heritage of life, yet which come to
some of US for the first time to>day.
Vainly, respected audience, do 1 strug-
gle with the thoughts and feelings which
rush in upon my mind. Fain would
close my eyes to those joys of the present,
which seem to me but q mournful requiem
DER that which is lost to me forever.
Gladly would fling aside the tablets
which futurfty is unfolding to my vision,
and with the hearts yearning cry, turn to
that happy past wherein are enshrined the
most cherished idols of an orphans heart.
Oh wonder not, then, that the music OF
to-day is, to me, but sad refrain-that
from out its joy-tones I catch naught,
save low, plaintive melody, whose
dirge-like echoes whisper to my heart
"no more, no more" Wonder not, il
that hearts deep chords be hushed, as
from out its hidden depths rise up voice.
less dreams, whose mute eloquence fills
my soul with haunting visions Of all that
was, and still may be.
Oh, Santa Clara why must sorrow
find an entrance even within thy sacred
halls? Why canst thou not still fold thy
children to thy heart-sheltering them
from cloud and tempest, instead Of send
ing them forth to struggle on life's
uncertain battlefield? But no; thou hast
prepared me for the conflict and l will
not shrink from it now. Thou hast been
to me, in truth, bountiful mother, and
in the days to come, will prove to thee
that have been no unworthy child.
Years ago, respected audience, | came
from the sunny south to this home o
peace and love. / was, as yet, but a
child, unskilled in worldly wisdom
| unread in scientific lore but still more
ignorant of those higher truths which
unfold to man the grandeur. the nobility
of his destiny. Here the little stranger
found home and friends here the yer.
air seemed to breathe silent influence
while all .unconsciously to herself, the ex
ample of those around her was unfolding
to her worlds Of thought, whose hiddei
beauties she ne'er had pictured even il
her dreams. Oh! those were happy days
kind friends, and my joy seemed complet'
when my cherished mother came to shar'
with me the vacation months of m,
schoolgirl life. The hand of God led he
also to St. Clara. Iparted from her full
of bright hopes for the future, but the frs
news that reached me after her arriva
home, was that God had taken her from
me-dearest object of earthly love; that
was, in truth, 'an orphan" She die'
rejoicing to think she had seen me happy
filled with happiness herself, for tho influ
ence Of st. Clara was still around her
the prayers Of the good sisters had no
been in vain; for the glorious gift o
Faith descended upon her, even amid tn
shadows of death, illumining her pathwa.
to that brighter home from whence sh
now looks down upon her child. Oh, m.
mother thy spirit has indeed been witt
me. NeverGbefore have l felt thy presenc
so truly, so deeply, as now, that an
about to leave that sheltering port wherein
nv little bark has heretofore so securel
anchored. But / know that thou wilt b
with me yet, my mother, and the though
Of thee will nerve my heart for the strug
gle that lies before it.
| Surely, then, respected audience, yo'
will not marvel that st. Clara is to me tn
dearest spot on earth, or that the thought
Of the parting which must come to day
cause my heart>strings to throb and quive
with intense anguish. And, yet, tn
moments fly swiftly past, seemingly IN
conscious of that to which they ar
fastening Us.
Beloved companions, must turn to yo'
to speak the FIRST words of my sad fare
we'll? To-day we meet for the last tim
within these dear old walls, consecrate'
by all those fond remembrances-thos
ties of love and affection, which hav
made life to us so pure, SO beautiful. To
day we must bid adieu to those scene
which are so faithfully treasured in th'
store-house of memory, to be recalled
. with such heartfelt longings amid the bus.
strife of future years. No more shall W
meet at mornings dawn to offer ou
hearts first tribute to the great Author o
Light, praying Him to bless the laborer
of the coming day-to aid His children il
the pursuit of that knowledge which vii
lead them higher and higher, until they
gaze into the mystic depths of eterna
truth. No more shall the shades Of even
ing find us gathered around the shrine o
our Madonna Mary, whispering our love