The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-07-04
Acade my Of the Assumption Annual
Commencement, June q. 1889.
VAIEDICTORY.
By MISS LAURAINE MEAD.

By MISS LAURAINE MEAD.
INABILITY OF manner, though y
charming trait, il it il not united
with firInness Of principle i sure to
lnislead, for by it's very gracefulness
1t is armed with u winning power to
which even rare intellect and ACCOM-
plishments cannot pretend.
The gracious inclination not to dis
turb the harmony Of the hour, has
more than once, betrayed the kindly
heart into the misfortune of being SO
civil as to be unjust. Ardor OF will,
courage, generosity, delicate con-
sideration for the rights and happi-
ness Of others are truly praiseworthy
qualifications; yes: invaluable under
certain circumstances: but If an i'll
vincible purpose to uphold the right
be wanting, they amount to very lit
tie. Without this priceless sense Of
justice, lively sensibility, readiness to
plan and energy to execute, aye, even
the beautiful condescension Of heart
felt politeness may prove Inischiev-
Gus.
They may be unreliable as the
maynard course of the Autumn
winds, or as the ebb and flow Of the
restless waters that clafe the trcach-
erous rocks and reefs aound Sicily
Isles
Without sound judgement, bravery
may serve us to day but tomorrow
it may prove rash and fool-hardy.
Learning with which pearls and dia-
monds are worthless shining dust;
learning, that treasure for which
earths noblest intellects have toiled
and to attain which they have spurn-
ed all sacrifices rs triiling and insig-
nificant, learning is but transient
| glitter of corroding tinsel, if health
full vigor Of mind supplies not some
thing more trustworthy and infinitely
above simple erudition.
In the very nature of things, So
ciety is composed Of SO many discord-
ant elements, that strength Of char
acter-that deep sincerity which
'.beareth all things, hopeth all things
and endureth all things is now more
than ever necessary.
/ To the soul it is what the ballast is
to the ship, the weight to keep it
steady against the impetuous gales
of hayward enthusiasm, false appear
ances, perilous enticements and
worldly success.
That they give scope to the infiu-
ence OF virtue till the character il
formed, till the mind be strong and
the heart brave to resist temptation,
is the glory of our beautiful Christian
homes, the grandeur Of our beloved
Convent Schools.
That early impressions are the
most ineffacable of our lives, no one
would pretend to deny. Who, then,
can lightly value or regard with in
difference the surroundings of the
youthful mind at the momentous
|period which is to make or mar the
character of life?
Had we gained no other benefit in
our academic course than a just APP
probation of the high rank that b,
right belongs to religion in the edu
cation of the immortal and superior
part of our being. our struggles, oul
anxieties, our tolls would be thous
and times repaid.
4 May time ratify our present conf
dence and prove that the corner
stone of our life's career has been
laid on a firm foundations; when the
superstructure is finished and Death
has placed the keystone in the solid
arch Of life, may the glory Of the
work rebound with ten-fold benedic
ton to our Alma Mater which has &C
lovingly cherished us as her own.
To me falls the painful duty of be
| ing the first and as yet the only one
to bid farewell to these pleasant
schoOl-day scenes, these loved Sister
) and schoollnate friends. For 81.
| short and happy school years it ha
2 been my duty and my pleasure t,
r meet here with you daily and striv
. with all my power to reach the gou
t to which my ambition pointed. An,
e while some tasks seemed difficult an
at times strength and courage nearl
failed me, yet the patient kindness c
4 our gentle Sisters has cheered Ill
t and given ne new life to toll onwar
: and upward to the day which la
n now come. ending these school day
t. and bringing me to the commenc,
e ment of a different life from that of
j. school girl.
VI While the future looks bright an
p smiling, opening out field Of gres
y possibilities, it is impossible to sevs
y from the past without some regret.
n feel that many times l shall Ion
again for the counsel OF those VII
have been for 50 many years my il
Il st-uctors and friends.
k fail to find words in which to e
i'll press my gratitude to you, kind Re
RS erend Father, for the many kin
Is nesses shown me in the pnst, but
MT assured they will not he forgotten.
III Dear schoolmate friends, to you II
Is thoughts will often turn and I sh,
ar be with you i'm the old, familiar spo
many time when you know it M
BE earnest and strive each one to
her best and you will reap rich !
mt ward.
'rt Dear Sisters, with a heart too Il
ed for many words, must say good
lc- to you. also. If through life | c;
a succeed in reaching the higher all
"A | &c~.c.l .,,l,soL ~,C,,r ian ol~sr~, Ia