Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-06-08

obedience taught to the state and the
law, but regard for the rights and feel.
ings of others, and truth, gentleness and
sincerity are daily wrought out.
The high school is importing knowl-
edge of history that we may know our
country's principles and government and
such knowledge of other nations as
will lead to universal citizenship. 1t
teaches literature, which stands all in
good stead. 1t teaches science which
means accuracy and gives you the skilled
hand, the sharp ear, the quick eye. What
can be more accurate than the teaching
in the Rock Island high school, of which
you are justly proudg 1t stands as a
centre of culture, reaching down through
the teachers of the other grades. who are
largely its graduates, to the nurseries;
and reaching up-but who may measure
the height Intellect has and shall rule
the world, and shall not our high school
look up to the best training of the mindP
The advantages of education are not only
shown in such men as Longfellow, Low
ell, Newman and Gladstone. but in such
men in the commercial world as Adams
and Depew. 1t is clearly demonstrated
that the commercial spirit of the age
does not underrate education by the
munifcent donations to educational en-
terprises, while the endurance of educa-
ton is shown in Plato and Demosthenes
The high school is the foundation of all
this work.
If the High school is doing this work
for you, you are in its debt. and 1t should
have your sympathy and cooperation
day by day. 1t is the hope and life of
the country. the centre of culture and
power.
Addressing the graduates, Mr.. Ray
admonished them that their education
had just fairly begnn. The best man or
woman is the self educated. 1t is the
men of purpose who succeed. In the
higher branches of learning or usefulness
in the world. there should be from this
on definite purpose to do and to be
something. Have q purpose, let it be
what it may-and let it be TO do good to
yourselves and others in some
way. Take some particular line o.
work and follow 1t day by day, no matter
how humble it may be- Push toward the
sun of light and your work shallbe trans-
formed into an undertaking BETTING
your highest endeavor and aim.
PRESIDENT REIMERs
then presented the diplomas to the grad
yates in the following language:
Young Ladies and Gentlemen:
In behalf of the board of education
am about to present to you your diplomas
OF graduation from the Rock Island high
school, and assure you that to me it Is a
pleasant task. In behalf of the public,
whom we represent l congratulate you
and your teachers on work well done
Most of you entered the public schools
of this city in childhood, and MANY of
you have been through every grade, from
the lowest to the highest, and am glad
to say for the board of education you
have done your duty faithfully and well,
and will pass from under their control,
and from the rooms of the public schools,
credit alike to them and yourselves
This day should mark period in your
lives never to be forgotten. and from
your childhood until now, so far as per-
tains to your-education, you have been
the wards of the public. and we and
your teachers, have been your guardians.
For your education taxes have been freely
levied and cheerfully paid by generous
public; public schools have been built, care
full and competent teachers have been pro-
vided. and within our knowledge there has
been nothing left undone that could be
done to provide you with the facilities
and means of acquiring liberal educs-
ton. But today our guardianship owe
you ends and we part. You are about to
enter upon future, that must in the
very nature of things. be largely dictated
and controlled by yourselves.
: But wherever you may go. and what
} ever you may do, you will find that the
lessons you have learned in the Rock
Island public schools. the discipline ac-
quired, and the principles taught. If you
are true to them and yourselves. will
grow with your growth and strengthen
with your strength. IL is not my pur.
pose to give you much advice for your
future guidance, but IN parting, there is
one thing | would urge upon you, and
that is, cherish with an abiding affection
the public schools that have done &c
much for you.
Be therefore, on all occasions their
honest friends. Remember that public
schools are the life of our county, that
they were not established for favored
few, but that the children of the nation
regardless of color or nationality, may
become intelligent, earnest and patriotic
citizens for the protection and preserva.
ton Of our republic.
Take these diplomas as the highest
testimonials that we can give you anC
demonstrate in your lives, that, for you
these schools have fulfilled their mission
THE NAMES OF THE GRADUATES
are as follows:
Latin course-Annie T. Bromley
| Charlotte F Kenworthy.
German course-Minnie Brindle, Liz
zie Conner. Katharine Gest, Zadie Het.
ahrend, John K Scott, Nellie E Burch
John V Dauber, Edith L LESLEY, Grace
M Sturgeon.
English course-James w Cook, Kath
arine Rough, Frances K Oswald, Jennie
DIckman, Margaret j. McFarlane, Jennie
l.. Wilcox, Mary E. Wood.
AUGUsTANA COLLEGE
The twenty eighth annual commence
ment exercises at Augustana college
Thursday. were interesting throughout
with excellent papers and good music.
About eighty of the clerical delegates