The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-06-04

The way Astors are Made" Ernst
Harms.
Piano duet, Grace Gilmore, Jennie
Koehler.
Clowns Baby" Lottie Kenworthy.
The Two American Banners" Arthur
Mcneil.
Solo and chorus, Laura Huntley, Willie
Broomhall, Hattie Jackson. Minnie Ran
son, Amelia Kohn, Mamie Lee, Clara
Levy.
Jamie, Mary Mcdonald
Garfield" Dick Champion.
"Cuddle Doom" Veda Shaffer.
Song-Aleck ladders, Johnnie Ulle>
meyer, Arthur Mcneil, Warney Ellis, Hens
ry Terry, Marvin Beardsley, Herman
Detjens, Gustav Stengel
Our Folks" Phena Metzger
THE vALEDIcToRY
followed, and was delivered by Miss
Clara Spencer, the honor having been ac'
corded to her, as she led the class The
address was as follows
We stand today at the close of the ninth
year of our school life, and wait mo-
ment to look into the past, which con
tains our childhood and early youth. In
these years we have grown somewhat in
mental power, but only begin to realize
how little we know and how much there
is to learn.
We have been taught that the acquire.
ment of knowledge is not so important as
to think and reason; that education is the
developing of mind and character, the
culture and refinement of our whole be-
ing. 1t is said that when Abraham Lin>
coins mother died. leaving him boy of
ten, the son had already received good
education, for ''he told the truth; he
loved Justice; he revernced God; he re-
spected goodness; he was fond of read
ing" and was willing to do the duty
which lay nearest him. And this edu-
eating went on through his whole life ac>
cording to the direction given in his
youth; thus we trust it will be with u.s.
As we have been taught to love what is
pure and noble, to love truth and truths,
so may our lives continually go out seek
ing them.
We are only at the beginning of this
great work snd have only faint glimpse
of the possibilities which are before us,
but as we turn and look into the
future, we de so fearlessly perhaps. be
cause we know so little of what it holds
in store. We are young and not wise, yet
we are to take our place as part OF this
great nation, which we have learned to
love and value, and because so much has
been done for us it is only right that
much should be expected from u.s. We
are glad we live in this 10th century of
general education and progress. The pub
lie school is the peoples college and 10
day it reaches out to US helping hand TO
still higher work.
And for all the encouragement and as
sistance we have had in the past, and for
what is so kindly offered for the future,
we give our warmest thanks to you. our
parents and friends, our superintendent
and gentlemen of the board of education.
If We do not improve these advantages
and grow into more intelligent man and
womanhood, We alone will be to blame.
Dear teachers, you have been our pa>
tient sympathizing friends, and have Civ
en- to us more than we can now fully ap-
preciate but we will hold your instruc.
lions in reverence and try to follow them
in the future.
Dear classmates, of the many who
started nine years ago. only We
have kept together. We are sorry
for their loss but thankful for
our gain in the past and for what
is offered us for the next four years. Let
us endeavor to avail ourselves of these
privileges, and trust our band may meet
| next fall, to press onward, in pursuit of
still higher knowledge and wisdom.
We know net what changes time may
bring, but we will never forget the pleas,
ant associations OF the years just past
and trust that the kind, warm feeling we
entertain for one another, may grow into
deeper friendship.
Therefore, offering you all kindest
wishes and greetings, | bid you short
goodbye.
Many of the graduates were the recip-
tents OF bouquets and other floral en-
blems from relatives and friends.
PRESIDENT sINNET's ADDRESS.
In presenting the certificates to the grad
| yates, President Sinnet of the board of
education addressed the class as follows
1t is proud day for Rock Island when
so many of her sons and daughters pres
ent themselves for this public promotion,
and while we are all glad of this day and
the Joy it brings, let me ask you what
| next.
Knowing that you have only entered
the outer portals of knowledge, will you
be content" to stop land engage in bust
ness pursuits, or will press on to higher
attachments and thus prepare your
selves the better to serve your
country as intelligent loyal citizens
Either course is honorable. The ques
ton is not so much What" you do. as
How" you do it.
The world demands of you and of all
who would be leaders "Thoroughness. "
A full knowledge of any department you
may choose for your life's work. No
guess work like, mo waiting like Nc
Cawber' for something to turn up, will
ever win for you place worth having.
Trust not to accidents for position.
Our immortal Longfellow said, 'Noth>
ing with God can be Accidental.
Believe that there can be no excellence
without great labor and you possess the
key that win unlock the gate to the high
way of genuine prosperity.
1 Il l.. A. &c l.
edge. 1t takes the crude materials which
nature affords and changes them into
endless articles Of use and luxury. at
turns the desert into fruitful gardens
and in fact there is nothing which perse
vering labor will not accomplish. As a
recognition of merit and as an incentive
to greater effort, the board of education
present you these certificates to the Rock
Island high school.