The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-05-31
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
Address Before the Crescent Literary
Society al Johnson City Institute.

Inc crescent society al johnson
)ity Institute gave Il very interesting
Program on the afternoon Of May %,
1914, to a large and appreciative au-
Hence.
The program included the following
address delivered by Will P. Crouch
u this city. 1t is by the request Of
he society and the permission OF Mr..
Crouch that this address appears in
The COMET. We congratulate our
readers on being so fortunate as to
have it in print, and especially those
who were 20 unfortunate as to miss
hearing it. We also congratulate the
society on the selection OF their speak
err. Though the society Is 1isbsnded |
and the members have gone to their
different homes, we are sure this nd
dress will linger in their minds for
years to come. The following is the
address
Mr.. President, members OF the
Crescent Society, Ladies and Gentle
men Indeed, | feel that / have been
highly honored in being invited, by
the Crescent Society, to deliver an
address on this occasion for which |
thank them.
But while have been thus honored,
/ also feel the weight OF responsibility
which rests upon one in my position
however, my sincere desire is that !
may not prove altogether unworthy
the honor thrust upon me; and il
something be said to even one who is
present, shall feel that | am ustly
recompensed for wha ever effIrt has
been put forth in the preparation of
this production.
We who are the youth of today will
be the men and women Of tomorrow,
on whose shoulders the responsibilities
OF our country must rest, aad it is for
us to say whether we will be a true
help, and therefore blessing to .he
world, or one OF the burdens with
which our fellow beings will be affiict-
ed.
The young men and the young
women OF our country today occupy a
more important and more response
BILE position than those Of any other
time in the history Of the world.
We live, as we think, in the zenith
Of civilizations glory, and it is with
us to say whether it shall stand or fall
In this time, it is, indeed, a erea
thing to be man-to be y woman.
Rights for which generations Tough
and for which martyrs bled are on,
heritage the faith of the Pilgrim fore
fathers which led them to brave tn,
perils Of the sea and the rigors OF NJ
inhospitable cline, seeking only thu
right to worship God according TO tn
dictates of their own conscience th
heroism of brave men and women
who gladly laid their lives upon tn
altar OF freedom, flow down to d
through the ages, and are a part G
Of the birthright inheritance Of cv'r
American. Ours, indeed, is a ncbl,
heritagel None Of those who hay
preceded us have sustained 90 respor
sble position.
The past has given to us its acct
mulated experiences by which t
profit, it's precious productions t
guard, its complicated forces to direc
and its profoundest problems to soly
problems on the right solution {
which are SUSPENDED the interests {
millions yet 10 be.
The great problems o! the futur
call us to higher planes, to more dill
gent effort to be men and womr
worthy the name,
The summons rings in the song {
the poet, the cry Of the patriot, an
: the encouraging words and lives {
those Who have gone thence, tn
great necessity OF earnest, consciel
, tious effort. and perseverance on OF
=. part to attain that ideal manhood an
womanhood, which is, and will COZ
tinue TO be, the support OF our countr.
Ideal manhood and womarhoc
must be our aim, though we fail
reach it, else life will be low, thap
less, and eud in hopeless ruin.
"a sacred burden is the life ye bear,
Look on 1t, lit IT, bear 1t solemnly,
Stand up and walk beneath 1t steadiastl'
Fail not for sorrow, ialter not for sin,
But onward, upward, till the goal we win. y
AS said, il we would be true me
Il and women, we must have an ide
toward which to work, even thong
n we do not attain to it. All nation
b and all ages nave had their ideal, al
n that ideal is high or low in proportic
s to the civilization and true culture
. the people.
d In going back in history, we fir
u that there was time when all WI
IT darkness, seemingly not ray of ligl
d emanated from the throne Of God
penetrate the dark depths of man
e immortal spirit; and there we find
It those rude conditions Of life that IL
n ideal was purely physical.
}. The rude legends and wild poetry
= ancient Tines are full Of the glol
y which brute force brought to its pc
3. SCISSOR,
J. They resound with the clash OF arm
: and are red with the fires OF fierce Al
!, iffal passions.