Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-05-28
On is the delight and admiration of her

many 1rlenuS.
Between straws and pearls there is great
contrast and the facile pen of May brought
this contrast glaringly before her listeners
with illustrations both in the literal sense Of
ditions and circumstances. few extracts
are: sit is folly to estimate the value of
anything from what we see upon the surface.
A pleasant face may hide villains heart,
ragged hat may cover the most wonderful
brains of a nation. Abraham Lincoln's face
was considered an extremely ugly one, but to
the widow whose son he was sending home,
to the slave whose bonds he was rendering, |
he was an angel of light"
Diamonds are not found glittering in the
Sun but in dark mines, amid dirt and worthless
stones. The dark brown seed gives no prom
Use of the beauty or fragrance of flowers. The
true value is ascertained in the labor and ex-
pense of cutting the diamond--in the care
for the seed and patient waiting for the BIOS
soms." Education is a vast sea whose top is
strewn with straws but in whose depths pearls
of the rarest value are imbedded. The straws
represent the advance of education. Yet
there are people who are content with straws.
They do not see beneath the surface, but
each thinks he has what he Desires"
"But pearls are not found floating loose,
only grasp, stretch of the arm on the sur
face, to get the them. No matter whether the
thing desired be friendship, fame, happiness,
wealth or honor, it can be obtained if he who
desires is willing to put forth every effort to
fight his way, as it were, to the bottom"
The Ship Is Launched; Where is the
shore?
IDA BrTzER.
As with the salutatory of the class, SO is
this theme suggestive of valedictory, and
although there we're no honors conferred, this
being last, partook somewhat of a farewell to
the class.
With shortglancs over their school life,
life consisting of naught save pleasures, a
life as free from real ore and sorrow, as the
white, driven snow from stain she talked of
the future and the poss Utilities, the greater
joys or sorrows in store, and whether or not
the training SO far received would be of suf-
ficieutperfection to fit them to bravely battle
with adversely; and should success be at last
reached, would wisdom step In and permit
them to deal gently with success itself-a
thing too often abused-and also lend
helping hand to others, less FORUM
ate striving to reach the goal.
Capt. @. E. Reynolds, in behalf of
the board of education presented the
diplomas of graduating in the follow
ing we'll chosen Words ''More than
1900 years ago the Matron, Cornelia, pointed
to her children, three of whom subsequently
constituted the famous Grac chi, and ex-
claimed, in the pride of her heart, "these are
my jewels
So tonight proud old Alma Mater as she
throws open her portals and sends forth from
her sheltering arms the children of her love
and care into the great untried and unknown
world, re-echoes in the exultant tones, "These
are my Jewels"
For 15successive years has she given to the
people of Napoleon of the polished jewels of
her bosom, and thus far none have lost their
lustro but have grown brighter as the years
rolled on. And tonight, class of '91, you too
have been added to this brilliant collection
the Alumni of our public schools. See to it
| that you dim not the luster of a single setting.
In the middle ages the knighthood wa s limit
ed and confined to the sterner sex, but today
its ranks are open to both man and woman.
You are the knights of the 10Th century and
| in imitation of the practice of the ancient
chivalry, you are tonight presented with
banner without device.
Let me enjoin it upon you to bear it
through life, unstained, without blotor blem-
ish and to emblazon it with pure device,
wrought with good deeds and heroic effort for
the advancement of mankind. Mark we'll the
threads you weave into its tissues--a single i'm
perfection in warp or wool will forever mar
the beauty and symmetry of the escutcheon.
Thus far you have had to deal with words
and ideas only. From this time on you must
act. Deeds will be wrought-these deeds will
bear fruit good or bad. "By your fruit shall
you be known and Judged" If it be good,
you will reflect credit and honor upon your
self and upon our public schools. If you have
paid heed to the lessons inculcated in your
past school life, good results will follow your
efforts through life. Remember your class
motto. The higher grades in all vocations are
reached through difficulties, trials and hon.
est, painstaking effort. Trusting not none of
you will betray the trust old Alma Mater re-
poses in you, her brightest Jewels, it is with
feeling of deepest pleasure that the Board of
Education presents to You the well and fair
earned Diplomas.