Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-07-06
ADDRESS OF ROBERT JUSTICE
YOUNG.


cred TO the Academic Society of Ak
ron High School, June 16, 1871:
Mr.. President and Members Of Ac
ademic Society:
The relation which We have sus-
tanned to each other for the past
three years, rs members of this So.
ciety, is for ever dissolved. 1t is
with pleasure that We look back
over the long list of Friday after
Moons we have spent in this room,
made dear to us by every tie which
binds school-boy to his week day
home. 1t is with pleasure that we
recall the many friendly discussions
we have held within these walls In
which We could freely express our
opinions on the questions that were
agitating the great world outside
1t is, too with pleasure that we re.
fleet, though sometimes there have
been serious divisions among US in
regard to the management of the
society affairs, they have always
given place to unity and harmony of
thought and action when the better
judgment of the members was ap-
pealed to, and all personal predju
dices gave way to an earnest desire
for the common welfare. And, while
rejoicing in the Society's success, it
is with feelings of sorrow that we
leave this 'sschool within school,
which has played so important a
part in our High School training.
My classmate has given you u
brief history of the Society-of the
aims, objects of its founders, of its
past success and present standing.
Mine be the task to say farewell.
Our society contests are, in a sense,
typical of the greater and more i'm
portant contest that is going on in
the world around us. The same
qualities of prudence and care in
thought, and earnestpess and vim
in action which ever triumph in
society debate will also win the con-
test in which men are the combat
ants and the pulpit and the bar, the
store and the workshop, the forum
and the press are the battle fields.
Many a question of national in
terest has been discussed by us in
this Society, and though the ex-
preston of our opinion here may
never have eXerted any influence
out side of our own little band, yet
who of us will doubt but those very
debates may effect the casting of
our ballots when in few years, per
haps, these same questions will be
decided at the polls. We can not
place too much Importance on our
school training. But . well regu-
lated school is a Monarchy and the
scholars are governed by the teach
er, while our Society is a miniature
Republic where we govern ourselves.
Then, while we freely accord to
school all its influences, let US never
forget the society in WHICH we re-
ceived our first lessons in selfgov-
ernment-lessons that will be of
practical benefit to US when we
shall have attained the dignity of
manhood and citizenship. !
Never will we forget the lessons
we have learned here. May you
who remain improve your opportun-
tiles much better than we have ours.
May your sQciety-ours no longer
Improve greatly In the future.
May you in the fall return to the
sext years work with the determin-
alton TO excel in society as well rs
in school, and when another three
years shall haye passed away may
his Society nave improyea farmore
han it has since the fall Of 1868.