Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-07-06

which bind a teacher to his class, who
in measure, are a reproduction of him.
self. The class was urged to support the
free school system and to avoid an aim
less, fashionable, or dependent existence.
The Principal complimentcd them on
their graduation as an honor to their sex,
and predicted that higher education
would give women a broad field in the
future He thanked them tor their obe-
dience and respect and babe them good
bye, saying, INLAY God SO speed you, as
you love the name Of honor more than
you fear DEATH" He then presented the
class to the Board Of Education, certify
ing to their scholarship and moral charac.
ter, and recommending that they lie given
their we'll earned diplomas.
Rev. G. D. Belden, IN behalf OF the
Board, received the class and presented
the diplomas, with remarks substantially
as follows:
Young ladies of the class of 81: am sure
that speak the sentiment of this large audi
ence when say we have all been unusually
interested in this evenings program, because
OF the fresh subjects that have been discuss
ed. Let me say to you now, as, in behalf of
the Board of Education present you these
diplomas, that your course of life study has
just been well begun. You have thus far
only been in the preface OF the book Of know
ledge which lies open before you tonight.
In the words OF one OF your own essays "your
future now depends on your own exertions:"
These diplomas are of little value or signifi-
canoe, only as they are certificates of faithful
work done in the school room during the past
four | II.
ing in this year 1881, when such especial
attention is given to the higher education of
lege have been founded, and when the doors
OF our Universities are opened to bOtl sexes
alike. fully believe that wome.l should
have just as good au education as men, if
OF the former. A husband and wife are, we
will say at the beginning of their married life,
equals in education and in intellectual activ-
tages OF gaining a general education. Now
ut the end of q years how is it? Are they
still on the same plane? The man has been all
this time receiving an educ ltiOn IN the very
circumstances and necessities o. bis life. He
has mingled in business and politics and leg
islation with others. He has bad his mind
exercised in che fierce rivalrics Of business
and professional life; has perhaps risen to
high position. And meanwhile the wife who
has baked and irODed and Jeen busy with
high rank of treasurer of the sewing society,
ana After2o or 90 yeas, people begin to won
der why this famous general Or this noted
judge or this eloquent D. D.. should have
selected such an inferior ms nif ant woman
for wife, wonder what there can be in her
that can be of much interest to one so talent
ed. And yet these two were equals at the
start aid their varying courses OF life suisse
quent 10 their graduation have determined
their widely different positions afterward.
| Now, young ladies, | wish tonight to say
plainly that you are liable to be as the major
ity of women about you are, unless from this
very hour you set before you the ideal of a
liberal and enlarging education, and pursue
it persistently al whatever cost See TO it
that you are not content with anything less
than the most thorough culture possible to
be obtained.
Let me Just say in closing that true success
in life connects itself with obedience to Gods
will. You need HIS gra md strength amid
the subtle temptations the stern realities
We commit you into his hands as you go
forth from under our wa, chcare, praying that
He will lead you in paths Of lirgest useful
ness and of fullest joy.
| Before the final piece Of music and the
benediction by Rev Alfred Cressey, Prof
Keysor thanked the audience Tor their
respectful attention and craved time for
a few remarks. At the conclusion Of the
program many OF the audience came
forward to congratulate the graduate
and say good.by to the teachers. All
went home feeling that they had enjoyed
feast, and having still greater faith in
free schools. AS Mr.. Keysor's words do
our town justice, and were his last to the
patrons oflhe school, we give them entire
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:-It is not
unknown to you that /, too, graduate to-
night, and that the schools now pass into
other hands. My uperintendency has
been brief, indeed; and yet long enough
to justify the belief that it is not one
entirely without fruit. You, at all events
are the judge, and your decision will be
Just and impartial. And yet may say in
the event of an adverse finding that my
intellect and not my heart should be
charged with the failure
If, however, the public schools have
sustained good reputation and made
real progress during the past two years
The credit OF the same is not due 10 mt
alone The Board of Education has
labored for the interests of the school
and exercised generosity crcumscrlb-
ed only by debt and hard times You
will accuse me Of no mercenary motive
in saying that more prudent and efftc
tive Board can moi be found in this state
and that body of gentlemen who will
treat me with more courtesy and kind
ness l expect never to meet. 70 the
teachers also is TO be ascribcd much OF
the efficiency ot the schools. Their earn
est endeavor 10 improve their pupils and
themselves have produced visible and
gratifying results. My CO laborers,
am under obligation for the Difference
with which you have received my suggcs
lions and for the cheerful and vigorous
execution of my plans.
But, ladies and gentlemen, boards oil
education, superintendent, teachers, and
pupils are not the only essentials of a
successful school. They are simply the
> superstructure below which must lie a
broad foundation Of public sentiment fay
nrable to education. Back Of all mus
be body of earnest, intelligent citizens
who will suffer neither zeal for the
church, hostility to religion, nor fidelity
10 party to interfere with the legitimate
work of the school room. Unfortunately
calumny has given our city a bad rcputa
ton abroad. Certain failure was pre-
dictcd by my friends IN the event Of my
experimenting the Austin schools. Blu
I came and found 400 industrious, obedi
, cnt pupils and hundreds Of people so,ici
tous that their children should become
intelligent, law-abiding young men ant
women. There are people in this worlt
so wicked and unwise rs to infiame the
hearts of their pure, innocent children
with their own hateful passions and mar
row prejudices. If there lie any Of such
character in Austin, they are so few anu
, far between that the schools have suffered
) little from their opposition or friendship
, On every hand have received and anC
encouragement in the attempt to make
the schools what they purpcrt 10 be, free
public institutions where the Fundamentals
+ and higher branches are taught in theil
purity, without admixture Of creed o.
platform, institutions where the youth o
this city are taught to respect each other:
I rights, obey the law of the land, and love
the country which knows no high or low
, no rich or poor, in its provisions for uni
;, versal intelligence. The unaDimity 0
public sentiment in favor Of thorough
1 schools has been a potent power and an
. not insensible of how much is due to it.
May my successor have the aid an(
sympathy which the responsibility Of hi:
}. work demands. Let not penny wise unc
!. pound foolish economy ever deprive YOU
80 .>I>