Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-06-19
Graduating Exercises and Alumni Reun.
ion Of theLancaster High SchoOl-Ad.
dress by President McGregor.
&c. &c.

| &cs &c.
AS Friday June 49,, had been an
nounced some weeks previous as the da,
for the final exercises of the Lancaster
High School, it was welcomed as an
occasion of more than ordinary interest
and at 10 a. IN. on that dav, large
number of the relatives and friends
of the graduting class and pupils of the
school, in response to invitations of a
general character which was extended
to all interested to attend, the Chapel
was filled to full capacity to witness
the first Commencement since 1890.
The Chapel was decorated with flowers
and pictures tastefully arranged,i in har-
mony with the excellent judgement dis
played in all the appointments of the
day.
The graduating class of "a consisted
of four young ladies Misses CLARA Jones
Vina Moore, Ida Y. Buchner and Ida
|. Thomas, each of whom read care
fully prepared essay, which was greeted
by the audience with great applause.
The motto of the class was "Finis opus
coronat." The exercises were open
prayer by DIR. Eaton. A chorus "Twi-
light on the Sea- was rendered by a
choir of six voices viz: Misses Fannie
Schmitt, Bessie Calls, Hattie and Mamie
Hyde, Mr.. A. Schmitt and George Hyde,
Miss Edith Fisher presiding at the piano,
which was loaned by Miss Laura Cover.
Miss Thomas read her essay Worlds
Unseen" which was production of
much merit. Walter c. Lewis displayed
his statesmanlike qualities in an Grafton
on civil Service Reform" which he
aptly defined and well delivered.
Mr.. A. Schmitt sang with good voice
a solo, ''When the Tide Comes In
Miss Buchner's essay came next and she
discussed her theme Then and Now
from historical standpoint with rare
ability. The defamation MANS Mas
cry over Nature by George Ii. Baxter
was very credtably rendered. Tie
choir sang "All among the Barley and
Miss Moore read an essay on Charity
which well written and an admirable
exposition of the subject. Miss Jones's
essay followed. and "Myths" were con-
sidered in reality. Immediately after
she delivered the valedictory which was
an able effort and abounded in thoughts
carefully clothed in fitting words, adj
dressed to her class, the Principal and
School Board, which will not soon be
forgotten.
Mr.. David Schriener made an APP
propriate address andlpresented each
graduate nth adiploma. Prof Wood
made IA short address outliningin bref
some the work that had been accomp-
lished the diligence and cooperation of the
students, the generous support he had
received, and returned thanks for the
many favors granted and patient at
tention of the audience. The choir
sweetly sang 1.-The Skylark'' and the
exercises of the morning were ended.
IN THE EVENING
the Alumni Association of the High
School held their annual reunion. 1t
was an occasion of much interest to
each member, and again was the Chap
ell filled with vast throng of specta-
tors. Mr. Perry L. Moore, the presi-
dent, presided, and in the opening ad-
dress, welcomed the visitors and friends
of education present. and congratulated
| the Association on the addition to its
ranks of the class of 'S4 A piano duet
was given by Misses May Ivey and Lau-
ia Cover, and was well received
Prof. ID. McGregor, president of the
State Normal School at Plattevile, de-
livered the address of the evening which
was mastery effort. He spoke as fol-
| lows:
Words" says an eminent write L,
''are the only things that last forever
Says Max Muller, "He who would ex-
anime the influence of which words,
mere words, have exercised on the minds
of men, might write history of the
world that would teach us more than
any that we yet possess 1t is not our
| present purpose to prove or to challenge
the truth of these statements, but shall
assume that there is sufficient truth in
them to justify there use in introducing
this address
/ Each word in our language has its
own biography. Many originated in
obscurity, and will, doubtless, ever
remain in the same condition. Some
born to rank, have bravely maintained
their position and are still found among
the nobility of words. Man is and should
be still as in the original meaning 1.-The
thinker" and virtue, ''true manhood. -
Others have had 'honors thrust upon
Them" and from the humblest begin
nings have been raised to positions of
rank and splendor The word lalace no
longer calls up any thought of the home
of the humble, shepherd or the fold for
his flock, nor is town now simply an
enclosure. Many words have fallen
from their high estate, or that not
through any crime of theirs, but through
the fault OF those whom tn served.
And it is reflection damaging to the
reputation of man that far greater
number of words have suffered a lower
ing of meaning than a raising. In this
class of words we find tYrdnt, originally
a ruler without distinction of good or
bad; villain a farm servant. or one who
lives in the villa; pagan one who lives
in the country, and heather one who
lives on the heath. Permit me this
evening to call your attention little
more fully to the word enthusiast. a
word that has 10 some extent at least,
shared in the odium cast upon many
words, originally of the best meaning.
No word in our language is entitled to
a higher place in the human vocabulary
than this one; few can trace a better
pedigree, none more honorable name.
And while it has suffered through the
mistaken zeal of some enthusiasts, its
reputation is yet fair enough To form the
basis of a few words of encouragement
to men and woman at an age when en-
couragement may not be unwelcome.
You readily trace this word to its
Greek source and find its meaning one
1Clt0 has god scithin HIM. 1t doubtless
originated at the time in which Greece
/, frames her mythology, when she began
TO ascribe To inanimate objects fellow
fepiinp both in their Dassions and in