The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-06-12
SCHOOL DAYS, ADIEU.
Glass Of '86.
Annual Commencement OF the Rock
Island High School, at Harper's
Theatre, Last Evening.

The thirteenth annual commencement
exercises of the Rock Island high school
were held at Harper's theatre last evening,
the house being crowded to its utmost
capacity. demonstrating well continued
and growing interest in the Rock Island
public schools. When Bleuer's orchestra,
struck up the overture at O'Clock, and
the curtain rose. one of the prettiest sights
ever witnessed was revealed, The
young lady graduates attired in hand
some white dresses formed a circle in
the rear OF the stage, which was plea
ant contrast to the young gentlemen
and the superintendent, principal
and board of education on the
sides The front of the stage was solid
bank of beauty baskets of flowers, bou>
quets and other floral testimonials OF love,
friendship and esteem for the graduates.
Up over the head of the graduates hung
in lovely white letters the class motto:
''Do THAT WHICH LIES NEXT YOU"
The entire high school chorus sang
The Lord is my Shepherd" Miss Clara
HaSs of last years high school class, play
ed the accompaniment, and Miss Lucy
Coyne carrying the air with her sweet
soprano voice. Rev. s. S. Cryer, in
voked the blessing and then came anoth-
er pleasing chorus by the entire high
school, Song of the Lark
THE sALUTAToRY
was delivered by Miss Esther NJ. Olsen.
The production, which was most excel.
lent one, was the class address also, Miss
Olsen having been chosen to deliver it by
her fellow classmates. She commenced
by welcoming the audience to the thir =
tenth annu Al commencement exercises OF
the Rock Island high school. The
gathering demonstrated the public
interest in the progress of the schools of
Rock Island She expressed the graft
tude Of the class TO the citizens and
board of education for advantages given
to acquire a good education.
To Superintendent s. s. Kemble, who
had watched the class, progress since II
started in the primary department, and
had been more or less associated with
it as it had proceeded step by step to
the attainment of the highest honor the
Rock Island schools confer, was as
signed an address.
SCHOOL LIFE OF THE CLASS"
Mr.. Kemble said:
This class of seventeen worthy young
people is all that is left Of the two hun
dred who began school life with them
twelve or thirteen years ago; and while
this number is far too small, it IS more
than the average graduating class
Many were unable to complete the course
for reasons too apparent to justify emu.
merating, but at least as great number
as are before you for public recognition
in these graduating exercises have fallen
out of school work because of the mis-
taken idea that it would not pay to cons
tinue. The manufacturers and directors
of public sentiment are mainly RESPONSE
BILE for this state of affairs. 1t is rare
occurrence for the press or pulpit to urge
our boys and girls to remain IN school as
paying investment, or to. say to fathers
and mothers 1T is your first duty to your
children to see that they are properly ed
ucated, and the limit of the education
should be the limit of ability" Not a
parent who has enjoyed the profit and
pleasure of liberal education will con =
sent to his own child emitting one jot or
little of legitimate school work, unless
perchance, he inherits incapacity or too
rebeilious disposition. If their sons are
to shape iron, wood or stone, direct com.
merce, or develop mine, the essential
factor in the preparation is that develops
ment of mind that comes from earnest,
honest school work. II this training be
good for the children of the educated,
why not good for the children of the less
favored? Il is not enough to say to
those who cannot appreciate an educa-
ton. 1.-THE schools are free; the privileoes
of an education are all voursf' If Won
have that which will substantial benefit
community, YOU have not met your fnll
duty by coldly rendering il: vonr duty
ends when your resources are exhausted
If the highest ambition OF this generation
should be to sbeave their successors bet.
ter than any that have preceded them
then there is something radically wrono
in the treatment of this high scboo
question. lift is blessingf or these seven
teen and the community in which the,
chance to reside that they have don,
these years of school work, it would hav,
been equally true of those who could apc
have not done it. 1t is unfair to pro
nounce none guiltless who have failed IL
urge at least an equivalent of our hipl
school course for every competent DO,
and girl. The school board have mo-
furnished this class with the expensiv,
buildings, furniture. apparatus labora
tory, or library that adorn some of ou
..a,.,l la.,,o .,,:ao L.t 49,