The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-06-19
SECOND ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT OF
THE SALIVA HIGH SCHOOL.

SECOND ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT Oh
THE SALIVA HIGH SCHOOL.
The Opera House was quito we'll fill
ed Yesterday afternoon with parents and
friends who had gathered to witness thu
closing exercises of the High School
The music for the occasion was rendered
in a fine manner by tho pupils Of the
school. After the opening piece, kev
VIM. Smith made the prayer, which
was very appropriate for tho occasion
The essays and GRAFTON We puDlish ~
full, in tho order in which they were Dc
livored, and our readers can thus Judgt
for themselves of the merit or demeri
of each production. Following thes,
came the presentation of diplomas, which
labor Prot. Fitzpatrick performed will
becoming dignity-prefacing the &C
bv few we'll chosen words. Tho very
interesting exercises were closed BY
benediction from Rev. I. b. DOoley.
sALUTATORY-BY MISS CHRISTIE CAMPBELL
Tho class of 70 welcomes all WHIT
have gathered this afternoon to witness
the second commencement excuses O
the Salina Public High School. To ou'
friends and to the Board Of Education
we extend most cordial welcome. But
to you, our teachers how can feeble
human words express the welcome We
feel for You, who have guided US O'eI
the paths of learning; have ever been
patient with US in our waywardness. and.
at all times, urged US to "take fast bold
of instruction" With you We have
spent many pleasant and profitable
years in the pursuits of knowledge, and
at all times when advice was desired, we
have turned to you, knowing it would
be honestly given. And schoolmates,
the happiest years which We have passed
together as school friends, arc drawing
to q close; and in a few hours, Old Father
Time will have writton tnis to our
school days, and wo will leave you I'M
der the guidance of our teachers, while
we 20 forth into tho "world's school, .
in which wo may find many difficult
tasks to perform, without the inspiring
words of our teachers to hclp US on.
We think of their words with . sigh ;
for We stand on this platform to bid
adieu to school-days yet clinging in
memory, to tho many tried and peace
full paths which we have travelled to-
gether, reluctant as q little child who
has Just been pronounced ablc to walk
alone, to let go the hands that have
guided us thus far. But as We have
heretofore looked to our teachers for
instruction, we will now look TO them
in . higher and more inspiring light
ever as human beings, acting their part
IN the drama of life, executing the de-
signs of their wills or of fate,-as Long
fellow has expressed 1t, "With heart
for any fate;" or rather as wo have seen
it, with q resolution to conquer fate,
spreading tho halo OF their useful lives
over the dawning of our own. But
should sorrow cast its shadOwy pail over
our future, nothing can rob Us of the
reoollections of the pleasant years that
are past. and tho darkness only makes
them shine the brighter in our memo
ries. For
when time who steals our years AWAY,
Shall steal our pleasures too;,
TIE memory Of these years shall stay,
And half our joys renew.
Friends who have gathered this after
noon, and by 30 doing, have cxprcased
an interest in our school, and especial
ly in the class of 70, We hope you will
not DO disappointed in tho exercises, but
that they tmay provo to DO all that you
would. wish. We are hore to provo to you
that our school years have not
been spent in vain, and that the many
advantages which you have conferred
upon us have been well improved. For
these advantages and your presence TO-
day, We thank you most sincerely. Our
school within tho last few years has
made rapid progress. But fow years
since the public school occupied one small
room and consisted of ono teacher and
about dozen scholars from this We
passed to building with three rooms,
and had three teachers. But in 1875,
the building wo now occupy was CON-
pleted, and We entered its halls with
feeling Of pride that our citizens, while
living in the busy west where the eager
desire of gain is generally tho predomi-
nant characteristic, had not forgotten the
educational interests of their children,
but had so generously expended their
hard earned gain that their children
should have all tho advantages they
could give them. We to-day have
school which will compare favorably
with any in the state. Not only have
We fine building and ample grounds,
but the organization of the school is
very commendable, with corps of
teachers Who are striving, each year, to
make it moro nearly the "modcl school"
and to send out men and women who
will be an honor to their country and
the school in which they were first
taught tho ways of learning. But whilo
they may strive to bring it nearer to
perfection, my friends, they need your
encouragement and confidence.
And If you never manifest an interest
in the school, although tho teachers be
earnest in their work, the scholars can
not be expected to manifest the proper
zeal in their studies, while those who
should be most interested appear so in
different. Aud 10 what way can you
better show this interest than by your
presence in the school! Who can tell
as what life will bring rs in our future
days as it unfurls its ever-changing
There may DO much that is
lees joyous and bright than we could
wish or accept, but the good God, who
has blest and shielded us in the past,