Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-06-06
Graduation.

Graduation.
This year, the graduating class inaugu-
rated new order of things in the way
OF commencement exercises by securing
President Tucker OF Oar mouth college as
the orator OF the occasion.
The exercises took place last Thursday
night and though the heat was something
terrible, Dubois & Gays hall was closely
packed with people, who sat in constant
fear OF being drowned in their own per-
spiration and valiantly fought for life
with fans that fiuttered over the hall like
a swarm OF overgrown butterflies.
To the stately measure OF the march,
played by Miss Lizzie Adams OF South
Royalton, the seniors passed up the CEN
ter aisle and seated themselves In the front
part OF the hall to listen to the address
about to be delivered to them. After a
piano solo, skillfulIy executed by Miss
Lena Marcott and Miss Eva Bates, Prof.
Whitehill rose and introduced the speaker
OF the evening, whose reputation Tor learn
ing and ability had preceded his appear
ance.
President Tucker is gentleman of fine
presence, has an easy, distinct delivery
and the happy faculty OF presenting his
subject OF his address was "The Develop
ment of Mental Character" and he began
by saying that traveller once noticed,
standing in front OF an English inn, an
old fashioned stage-coach, on which was
conspicuously inscribed, first class fare
one shilling; second class, ninepence;
third class, sixpence. Wondering on what
the difference in price might be based, he
paid one fare and entered the coach, but
perceived no particular choice in seats.
On reaching a rough, stony piece OF
road, the driver ended the travellers per-
plexity by shouting, "First- class passen-
get out ana walk; third class, get out and
push.u His application Of the story was,
that it is the educated man who is able to
ride serenely in the stage coach OF life;
while the half-educated get out and walk
over the rough places, and the ignorant
push.
The development OF mental character
proceeds by three stages at
Iention, accuracy. AT the first stage is &C.
CURED the power to see; with the second
mental discipline begins, and through the
third moral strength is gained and an
earnest love Of truth; for accuracy and
truth are indissolubly connected. From
seventeen to twenty one is the period OF
mental freedom, wKen youth tries its
wings and ventures into the realm OF in
dependent thought. Any abridgment
Of this period is attended with revolutions
ary effects, and what might have been a
profound and accurate thinker becomes,
with sudden burst Of liberty, the skep-
tic.
Closely following the period Of mental
freedom, comes that OF specialization,
when the student elects his vocation from
among the professions and various lines
OF business, and bends his energies to the
or nf ttc Loft xrif h n mi
ton of effort that rises almost to the dig
nifty OF conservation. One-third OF life is
| given to preparation for LIES work, and
nature and society wisely combine to pre-
vent any infringement upon the time thus
set apart.
New England's contribution to this
country, President Tucker said, was pre-
eminently mental strength and though
other states may also furnish goodly
proportion OF the same quality, yet the
distinguishing trait OF New England
men is that sterling mental character
which enables them to be leaders in
to place them; and this trait Is carefully
fostered in the public schools and col
leges which are SO generously maintained
by New England people.
In his remarks to the class he congratu-
lated the members, not on having finished
their education, but on having acquired
the power and habit Of application and
the glorious appetite for knowledge.
Close attention was given to the address,
the most scholarly that has been deliv-
cred to Randolph audience in a long
time, and presenting briefly and in
clear, logical sequence, ideas that will
doubtless form the basis OF much future
reflection on the part OF the hearers.
Following the remarks OF the speaker
came solo, Farewell Beauteous Nlght,'
by Harry v. Hubbard, and the presenta-
ton OF diplomas, few kindly words Of
farewell being addressed to the class by
Prof. Whitehill. The class ode, the prod
uct of Miss Lena Marcott's poetlcal gen
Jus, appropriately ended the exercises.
(Other local news on seventh page.)