The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-09-20

kings of our Saxon forefathers. As an
earnest of what may be expected of its
labors here, it may be well to note some
what of the success elsewhere achieved by
this organization. 1t has established
many schools and colleges. In France it
has some fifty schools, among which is
the College of st. Croix, in the city of
Paris, having an attendance of over SEQ
students. In Canada it has twenty pri-
mary schools, and the colleges of st.
Joseph and st. Lawrence with a respective
attendance of 200 and 800 students. It has
numerous schools in the United States, the
leading institution being the University
of Notre Dame, in Indiana, which has an
attendance of 600 students, and which
takes rank with the first universities of the
land. The sisters affiliated to this congre-
CATION conduct some twenty academies in
the various states of the Union. They
have three in Utah, the youngest of which
has an attendance of 200 pupils. Among
its other schools it has two founded for
the instruction of negroes, which have so
far yielded satisfactory results. To its list
of schools we must not fail 10 add st.
Mary's academy, in our own city-may all
prosperity attend 1.-THE congregation
thus lays Us under double obligations.
st. Edwards was first opened for edu-
cational purposes in 1884 and chartered
in 1886. 1t has been gradually expanding
to meet the requirements of its environ
ment and offers many and peculiar ad-
vantages. Its management is both con
sentative and progressive, and its work
attests its merit. 1t had over eighty
students last session, who, besides dill
gently pursuing their ordinary studies,
with laudable enterprise, published Il
paper, "The College Echo" which would
do credit to much older institution. Its
course of instruction is wisely adapted to
the requirements of its patrons, and so
far has been crowned with success sur
passing the expectation of its founders.
can say, ON the authority of one of the
ripest scholars and best educators of the
state, l mean Prof. 0. H. Cooper, the
superintendent of public instruction,
that its work has been admirable and un-
surpassed by any similar institution in
the state. 1t cannot be too highly favored
or esteemed, for it is alike to the interest
of the state and her children that they be
educated at home. To the state, in that
it stimulates their love of country and
develops its schools and colleges. To the
student it is an advantage in that friend
ships and ties are contracted which will
prove constant source of comfort and
profit in after life. Its purpose is to
develop to their fullest the moral, phys
ical and intellectual faculties of those
submitted to it's fostering care; not to
turn out pedants, but cultivated gentle
men; and from its precincts will no doubt
go men in every way fitted to fulfill the
highest and severest conditions of manly
greatness. Such in brief is st. Edwards.
1t is confidently believed that its future
will more than fulfill its present promise.
But at this time of rejoicing we should
not forget the Dead without whose munifi-
cence this college would probably never
have been founded. l mean Mrs. Mary
Doyle, who donated to the congregation,
for educational purposes, her beautiful
homestead, consisting of 300 acres of
land, which donation is the nucleus out of
which the splendid results have in part
described have grown. Let US cherish her
memory and honor her name. In life she
was loved by all who knew her. The
good she did lives after her and multi
plies with time. OF few is it given us to
say go much, and of none can more be
said.
Now, in conclusion, l thank you for
your kind attention. | congratulate this
community on being chosen as the site of
this splendid institution. The state, too,
Is to be congratulated on this accretion
to its elements of moral and intellectual
advancement. 1 congratulate the found
ers of the college, its president and fac
ulty, on its past and present success, and
express the hope that they may soon see
it attain its high ideal. congratulate the
students also, in that they enjoy its privi-
leges, not the least of which 1 count the
association and example of men, who, in
this material age, devote their lives and
energies to noble purpose, desiring and
receiving no other pay than conscious
ness of duty we'll performed, and "you
and L and all of Us" wish it God-speed
onward in an unbroken career of useful
ness and glory, and may no future his
torian of st. Edwards ever write fms to
to the golden pages of its history.
The conclusion Of Mr.. Moore's very
eloquent and impressive Grafton was re-
ceived with hearty applause, after which
most of the visitors adjourned to the old
college and sauntered through the
grounds and buildings for a
while before returning to the city.
Thus closed red-letter day in the history
of st. Edwards college, happy day for
the citizens OF Austin, who have secured
to themselves rising educational in
stitute that even now does them honor
abroad, and promises to extend still fur
Their its beneficial influences.
SA