The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-06-20
AT THE COLLEGE.
Forty-Eighth Annual Commence
ment at St. Vincent's
College.
The Orators. the Essayists and Their
weII-ChOsen Themes-An Able
Address by Congressman
Arnold.

Arnold.
Armed with the usual special invi-
tati2n to witness the closing exercises
at ST. Eincent's College, we made it a
a point 70 be on the ground early, and
enjoy for a brief period the pleasant.
and we may add profitable converse
with those educated men who, at the
present time preside over her destiny.
For the past twenty years we have
been-in behalf of our local press
visiting those familiar halls on COM
mencement day. We have witnessed
many changes there. and miss many
friendly faces that have met us at the
threshold with an earnest, honest
Sod bless and prosper yOu." whose
friendly hands and warm hearts are
now cold in death. but whose spirits.
we trust. are reaping the rewards of
| well spent. useful lives-whOse eX-
amples arc left us. like finger boards,
to point the path to that better life
awaiting Us in the bright and peace
full land of spirits.
The College has lost nothing by
these changes, TOR the President and
Faculty that hold her honor and rep
utation in trust. are the peers of any
of their predecessors: aye, more, for
they are imbucd with that spirit Of
progress that predominates this age
of deep thought and swift execution;
and they prepare their students for
the trying duties of life that meet
them on every urn in this new, prac-
teal, stern world of ours.
The exercises were pleasantly inter
mingled with music, led b. that mas
terspirit. LuCien Becker, who, in spite
of his rather dramatic excrtions, gave
ample proof that he was master of the
band.
The song by the Seminary Choir,
also the quartette were both well exc-
cutcd. but the absence ofthc softcning
effect and influences of female voices
rendered them rather harsh and rob-
bed both of that tender charm they
are intended to impart.
MI. NJ. j. O'Sllay drew a fine pic.
ture of "thc typical American" and
showed clearly that it was not neccs-
sarv for a man TO be born on Amer
lean sod to be a true American in
principlc. That mel born and reared
in the hogs of Ireland, highlands of
Scotland. the fcns of Germany. or on
the canals of Holland could be typical
Americans by cherishing the love of
political and religious freedom: while
| al the Samctimc. there were thousands
to the manor born, totally unworthy
of the name. or the GOd-givcn boon
they had fallen heir to. The first
proposition WAS self evident. the latter
only too true. But. we beg TO differ
with the speaker. when he would
throw the gates of the nation open TO
all. and trust TO chance TO American
izc them after they OH If this was
continued. we would sec the American
spirit rise in self defense. as they were
| forced to do in New Orleans. and rid
the land of the evil spirits who mis-
take liberty for license.
Mr.. {. +. Rochl's Grafton was a
pleasant surprise. The youth is gifted
with a fine. pleasant ~countcnancc, a
clear head and fOrciblc delivery. and
but for his assumed attitudes and or
utorical displays, his Grafton would
have been firSt-claSs for one of his age.
His charge of infidelity against nan
kind was too general, and thereby lost
its force. But when he charges women
a. being tincturcd with infidclity, the
| Young man is sadly at sea. What,
women denying the inspiration of
scriptures? No. No, She is the bow
er-anchor that holds reckless, thought
less man TO his moorings; she is the
salt of the earth. the caterpillar of
| the church. the ladder that bears the
soul of man from earth to heaven, the
key that opens the gates of that rest
come guide US to the feet OF our
heavenly Father. Don't mar your
bright mind by such blighting
thoughts, they are cruel. they are un-
founded, unjust. intellect has rights"
this we concede: but, when you say
that religion says those rights are
only duties" you touch the key that
brings forth the harsh notes that turn
men to be agnostics, yes, infidcls and
atheists. You are again mistaken
when YOU say sinfidcls sec no beauty
in this world, the armament, or any
thing therein 1t is the greatest and
grandest picture presented to their
gauge, and seeing nothing beyond it,
they are satisfied with its sublime
beauty. His closing tribute to that
embl. m of our faith. the crose, was a
proper closing to his mastery effort.
We predict a bright and successful
future for Mr.. Rochl, if he will but
choose his profession Alright.
Both of the speakers received their
diplomas, which adds b. y. to their
names.
Father Nugcnt introduced the IIOr.
Marshall Arnold TO deliver the annual
address. The Faculty of ST. Vincent
made no mistake in their selection,
but we do think that Mr.. \. made a
great mistake in not carefully cOnsid-
! ering and preparing the subject mat.