Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-25
vALEDIcroRY TO SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.

0I0AtAA0tS duQ NAAo6 DOH1thS 0C4ANOAOeA
the following valedictory to the school au-
thorities:
vALEDIcToRY TO SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.
A scene. like that which but q year ago.
gathered within the portals of another hall q
host Of admiring friends. is again enacted. and
the graduates Of to day are sreeted by an audi.
tory inferior TO none that have ever assembled
on q similar occasion.
But the intrusive voice of sadness Is heard
echoiDg in our ears. even amid the plaudits OF
joy and happiness which greet on all sides
AS we stand on the threshold of womanhood,
with the doors of school life about to close for
ever on us, we cannot suppress sigh at the
thought of bidding farewell to dear associate:
and kind instructors, whose answering 1delI
ty 20 the trusts committed to them have ali
'''Tis rot the sculptor's magic art,
Ills not heroic deeds of yore.
That Ill and crafty the heart;
No; It's affections tender lore
The thought of friends. and Loves first sigh
When youth, and hope, and health were nigh. :
Loosed from the restraints Of school duties
and enjoying a freedom that appears so bright
and tractive, it seems strange that there
should be anything to cast a shadow on ouI
gayety. or mar our pleasant anticipations
Yet, really such is the feeling that comes oveI
our hearts on this occasion, even though it be
our gala day. But can we tell what means this
dlscordant note in our ears; this pang of pain
IN cur hearts? All! only too well do we know il
loving and dear, in which we were so closely
united. but which we are this day obliged to
sacrifice.
Farewell is sad to say at any time, but ten
fold Sadder when we give utterance to it on to
day, knowing full we'll that we will then nc
longer form link in childh0od's golden chain
where all was harmony, nor longer share the
companionship of those we love. While it has
been assigned classmate to bid farewell tc
school associates, mine is the not less sorrowfu
duty TO say parting farewell to you, kind and
patient instructors; and to you, gentlemen oil
the Board of Education, by whom these schools
have been established in such wisdom, and
under whose guidance, class after class
equipped with the armor of knowledge have
gone forth to fight bravelY the battle Of life
= 10 you, dear aides, who labored so jealous
our lntellects, cannot pay too great tribute
or praise, Ever shall we hold among oul
most sacred remembrances your kindness and
SelfsacriAcng devotion, when under your pa
tient and loving pilotage, we climbed the rugged
null OF learning. And though the ties are al
length broken. in whose tender chain we were
so closely united, may we be permitted to re-
weld IN memory s forge the broken links and
in fancy to live over again the happy EXIT
ence that was so dear to us while il lasted In
parting, kind teac hers, gentle counsellers and
dear friends, we bid you an affectionate fare
Honorable Principal, in what terms can saw
farewell to you.
Hath lent old me new pinions
Whose hand hath drawn the shadowy veil
From wisdom's broad dopinions."
Fortunate, indeed, for us, that we have been
under the care of one who understood and
loved his profession well. and who
was always so very SolicitouS for our ad
vancement. acknowledge, when first we en-.
tered the High School, we stood somewhat in
awe and shrank from your presence; but ere
long, by little acts of kindness and courtesy
ings of esteem for YOU. and soon
we found our path to be entwined by a net
work OF love, which can never be unWoven
In the years to come: be assured. honored
teacher; that not one of your Kind instructions
will be lost from memory's casket nor one Of
fee OF kindness forgotten. Reluctantly and
with sorrowful heart we are forced to bid
you tender and affectionate farewell
Let me now say parting word to YOU our
hobored superintendent: Through the many
troubles daily encountered in our schooIlife.
your encouraging words have stimulated our
undertakings oftentimes have your comnen-
dations elated our spirits and given fresh yieor
70 our efforts. The great success achieved by
these schools has raised your name to q high
place among the distinguished teachers of this
age. In after years, whether our rath he
rugged or strewn with flowers, will we ever
gratefully Fem ember you as one to whom we
owe much OF our success.
While we experience grateful sorrow at
parting with those to whom we have haen So
closely united as instructors our feelings are
no less heartfelt and grateful for YOU gen tie
men of the Board of Education. Plainly do we
recognize the amount of material good effected
by your wisdom, and the progress of the
schools under your supervision May the
community, so much benefited by YOUR
efforts, raise up in its heart s temple a monu
ment or lasting endurance to your memories
But, an! we miss from among your honored
board the familiar countenances and genial
smiles OF two, who in life were
t.Generous nc brave
Affection, blindness, the sweet offices
VI love and duty, were to them as needful
As their daily bread"
When first the reaper gathered in his
harvest, the kindly spirit of our worthy Trea-
surer, Mr. John l.. Villalonga, most valuable
member of your body, was numbered among
the victims. This courteous gentleman. with
his pleasant manners and unassuming
demeanor, will long be mourned not only as a
worthy citizen, but as a valuable friend of the
Savannah Public Schools.
Ere many months had elapsed again were
you called upon to bow submiSsiveIy to the
viii OF Providence, when another, who per-
formed so noblY his life's mission. was
snatched away, leaving Il void not easily to be
filled. This much loved and highly respected
citizen was Captain John Mcmahon who took
such lively interest in the Public Schools
and particularly devoted his time and talents
to the advancement of the young. by whom
he was so much loved and respected, and his
encouraging words never failed to prove real
stimuiaut to youth while travelling tberu eyed
path of life.
President, who, if not away from the city
would gladly occupy his official place, from no
one do we more willingly receive our diplomas
than from yourself, Mr. Vice President who
has always taken such q lively interest in the
graduation exercises, and who, by your wise
counsels, have so largely helped these schools
And now my sad duty finished, with last
farewell to each and every one, | must cease
yet let me ask, kind teachers though no more
save as visitors we enter the dear OLD academy
the halls of learning for nearly century that
ever kindly you will remember he graduating
class of 1881
And may we meet again, nor feel
The parting hour so nigh.
Peace. love, and hap piness to ALL
Once more, once more, gocd-byep
Mr.. Bogsrt then made the following re-
marks in reference to the unavoidable ab-
sence of Miss Florrie Erwin Weekes, who
was elected as one of the valedictorians:
The valedictory to schoolmates assigned as
a chief honor in the school, tn Miss Florrie
Weekes, she was able to prepare before her
sickness. and she hoped to read it in person
This paper hold in my hand, but am truly
sorry to say she is not here to deliver it. To
the great sorrow of her classmates and myself
and know well to her own great grief she is
necessarily absent, and will lose the gratitica-
ton of performing her part here to-day.
h nd expected that she would ask some one of
06f I6llOW graduates 10 READ LOT l6r the part
ing words of her love. But she chose not. Re-
Numbering, f1atter myself, the happy rela-
tions of scholar and teacher in which we have
stood for four years to each other my dear
young friend has honored me with an urgent
request that should read these pleasant words
of farewell. Would that she herself were here
with her gradeful presence, her sweet face,
and her voice OF melody, to do justice to her
self and her valedictory.
This was responded to in fine style by
Miss Wilbur, of B class, but owing to our
crowded columns we cannot give them In
full. They will appear In the Sunday Tele-
gram.
This closed the regular exercises, and Capt.
Mercer, Vice President OF the Board of
Education, In few happy remarks, intro
duced Capt. Robert Falligant, whom he
referred to as the gallant soldier, eloquent
orator, and valued citizen, who was an
nounced to deliver the address to the gradu-
ates.
Captain Falligant advanced, amidst en-
thusastic applause to the front of the stage,
aud when quiet had been restored, deliver
ed the following capital address, which was
listened to with great attention:
Young Ladies' and Young Gentlemen of the
Graduation Glass, Members Of the Board of
Education, Ladies and Gentlemen.
was deeply gratif1ed by the invitation to de.
liver short address upon this occasion This
brilliant assemblage gives highest testimony
to the absorbing interest the annual ceremo-
NAL awakens No mind controlled by reason,
no heart alive to human improvement, but has
been gratifed at its success The cause of edu-
cation has engaged the attention of the wisest
and best of every age, and it is too late to
argue in avor of universal consent.
We rather celebrate its triumphs knowing
that popular education has advanced the cause
of science, religion and liberty. No theory is
proposed. no discovery announced, but must
be scrutinized under the calcium light Of uni
versal thought; and truth is known the world
over with the QuickneSs of an intuition so