The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-06-22

In addition tO this the average
Iaily attendance was usually less than
half the enrolment, condition of affairs
that was by no means encouraging and
not very much better than it was Ten
years ago. The evil results OF
allowing the rising generation 10
come up with such meagre cdu-
caiional facilities were wildly por-
trayed. and the necessity of accomplish
ing a reform in this direction strongly |
urged The speaker asserted that it was
the duty of Kansas citizens to work for
the advancement of schools in every |
part of the state. to the end that the
highest and best interests of the COM
monwealth might be suhserved- Miss
Webster's effort showed a thorough
familiarity with her subject and was up
to the excellent standard of all her pro
ductiOns.
The valedictorian,
MISS ANNA NJ. BIssEII.,
then favored the audience with beauIi
full Grafton on "Glimpses of Literature"
which, with the valedicLory, fittingly
crowned the excellent program. Miss
Bissell introduced her address by saying
that literature is the name given to the
varied works produced TO furnish ma
terial for the nOurishment and improve
ment of the mind. In an extensive
sense il contains the records OF all ages
and countries; the thoughts of men in
all their struggles and in all their aspir-
ations. The speaker then spoke "f
the great antiquity OF literature,
showing that il existed and WAS appre-
cIated before it was made subject Of
history. Fancy and imagination in the
early days of the world supplied the
want of facts, and the muses. breaihed
upon their vOtaries the balmy breath Of
inspiration and taught them everything
necessary for their happiness. No law
restrained the Imagination of man, and
at will he remodeled his creations until
they suited his tastes and habits. The
influence of GrecIan literature upon the
civilization of the day in which the
great minds of that country hourished
was beautifully illustrated and 1t
was shown that the love
of letters has always marked the ad-
vance of the worlds thought. While
the classics are loved for their forcible
thought and expression, modern litera-
ture, pulsating with present life. takes
hold of all hearts and fills all minds,
leaving but little time for the severer
pursuits of the works of past ages. The
increase of books and the dissemination
of literature, which is each year grow
ing wider, was noted as an suspicious
indication of the age, rs a love of letters
seemed to soften the disposition, 10
subdue rancor, and to enconr-
age benevolence of sentiment.
To the future belongs the completion
of work in this direction which can
never be told or estimated. At the con-
clusion of her Grafton Miss Bissell pro-
ceeded to deliver the following:
vALEDIcTOBY.
To you TO whom is entrusted the in
terests and welfare of this institution,
and who watch its progress with such
care, we would turn today with grateful
hearts, feeling that we owe deepest graf,
itude to you for being permitted here to
catch glimpses not only of literature,
but science. art and many things that
will help US onward in the battle of life,
Your watching has been accompanied
by action, and TO day we tread these
halls because of your energy and per
severance.
Beloved President, words cannot ex
press our feelings as we for the last time
address you as our President. Faith
fully have you warned and encouraged
our faltering feet, and often have you
fingered with US by pleasant streams OF
thought.
A few moments will sever these pleas
ant relations, the memories of which
time can never efface; and as We shall
revisit these halls the absence of your
familiar face will seem as a shadow over
the scene.
We wish for you in your future re
lations fullest measures of prosperity
and success, and in every way may your
highest anticipations be realized.
Your work here has not been alone
and to you who have shared this work
we would bring no fading tributes.
You have opened to us new channels
of thought, and by example and pre-
cept you have given US desires for higher
and nobler things.
HistOry's pages, natures beauty, the
arts, and sciences, as they have been un
folded to US have each received addi
tional charms.
And sweet it is to bear away and keeT
the precious lessons in our hearts.
SchoOlmates, our association together
has not been a race, but to each Other
we have extended the helping hand
Although we are first to reach the goa
our feeble fingers cannot pluck
the only laurels, for your brigh
wreaths are waiting. We shall only
swell the band that bids you welcome.
Tire not, though thorns may oft appear
. the roses still are there, and lifting misti
but make the sky more beautiful and
clear.
Classmates, we have now come to the
last scenes of our school days. Our path
has not been all sunshine; some clouds
have hung darkly DER our way, often
for a time, lessons have refused to be
mastered; equations would not be re
duced. Yet through the forbearance Of
teachers the sunshine has been more
than the shadow.
As hand in hand we travelled the de.
vious ways of thought we have found the
bonds of friendship strengthening until
ii has formed a chain linking US one to
the other. But to-day we part We
cannot always linger in the sunshine OF
our alma mater. Deeds must be our
mission. We must carry sunshine to
shaded hearts. We must make some
spot brighter because of our presence.
Shall our band meet again unbroken
Who can tell? TO-morrow's sinking
sun will find US miles apart, A week, a
month, year. and perhaps some Of onr
band will be reckoning US to another
shore,
Friends, TEACHERS, schoolmates, class
mates, farewell.
HFArewelII-s word that must be and hath
A sound which makes US IinEer yet-fAre-
| we'll"
The band then played King Polka.
by Peltee, after which came the
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
to the graduating class by Hon. ]. III.
Chrichton, member OF the board of re-
gents, whose remarks though briet were
exceedingly well timed and were
filled with excellent counsel to the
young men and women who were
about 10 90 forth and engage in