The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-06-20


gathered in our class organization there
were some loved faces missing, but sew
eral new students joined US, whom we
welcomed with cordial greeting. Our new
corps of officers We're elected. ana we
chose them. remembering that they would
hold office not only for the ensuing SEES
sion but for life. They have served us
well and faithfully, and some day we eN,
pect to hear that they have accomplished
much, have done brave deeds in the thor
oughfare Of life upon which they now
enter. We followed in the steps of the
class of "a and decided to publish an An.
nual. The board of editors have devoted
much time and thought to this work, and
their classmates have reason to feel vel
satisfied with the outcome of their labors
Our studies have been less arduOus this
session than before, but many a time we
have racked our brains over theories OF
government, questions in philosophy, OF
interpretations of difficult poems. Still
all has proved clear and beautiful beyond
expectation when the authors meaning
was unfOlded to us. The election of rep,
resentatives for this occasion was ito be
attended ito, and we had animated meet.
ings of the organization. Our course
moved smoothly on with a great deal of
study and much enjoyment. We were
glad to be busy, for in leisure moments
the thought would come to us we were
soon ITO part. Up to the very last there
were pleasures in store for us. We can
not express our appreciation of Mrs.
| kirby'S kindness in rendering us final
| reception.
And now, dear classmates, it is with
sorrow that l realize that the history of
the University life of the class of '95
must close, and we must separate to pur-
Snn IIyn he lInT hn 20 OF
| each of you be tranquil and happy, and as
the past ever and again comes back
to you as soft strains of music, may the
memory of your college days find voice."
Mr.. B. f. Louis was next introduced
and choosing More Light" as his sub
ject spoke as follows:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
There is perhaps no thing which is more
beautiful to man than the light and
splendOr of the sun. 1t may be, and
no doubt is. at times unappreciated, but
after the cold, dark and dreary days
of the long winter, when one almost
torgets that there is such an orb of bril-
liancy-after these days, when earth has
again revivitied, then it is that all minds
gloat upon the beauties of the day, that
spring poets flourish and revel in the
glorieS of the beauteouS sun bath and
there are few, very few, human beings
who at times can not see and feel the
value of the suns light; and there have
been many times, no doubt. in the eX-
perience of each, when they have wished
that the darkening, scowling clouds
would but burst asunder and admit more
light" upon their daily tolls and pleas
ures. But this light is but one kind
of light, more beautiful but not more
valuable, more desired but not more de-
sirable, more used but not more useful
or applicable to use than another-that
is the indescribable power more lucid
than light of day, more difficult of OBJ |
tainment than heavens gift and more
and revealing than can ever |
be realized-the light of civilization: Ed |
ucatiOn.
Though the application of my sub
ject may be confined to the needs of |
the needs of the present for more of |
this far-reaching education, yet the time
can ever come when such cry would
be ill-timed or uniting. No matter
now far onward our condition may range,
how high up in advancement and inn
Drovement we may reach, there will al
ways and must ever remain steps higher
md lOftier which future generations
must strive to mount. AS it is impos-
Sible for man to be content and satisfied,
as the mind of man is so constituted
'hat with every perfection attained, i'm
PROJECTIONS appear, so with education
there is no reaching the highest point,
he state where further progress would
De impossible. Our efforts, therefore,
IAN not be expected to raise the age to
he acme of civilization, but there are
many steps far in advance of the present |
stand, which combined effort can take
md my object is to recall these to some
md perhaps suggest them to others.
Civilization is not a conquest of years. ,
)ut an acquisition of centuries. 1t has d,
lot at single bound reached it's present !
state. Its growth has been, for the :,
most part gradual and steady, yet there =,
caps which it has taken. There was Il
ime when all civilization seemed dissi-
'ated and receding. When the learning +
II the age was confined to a few monks
md priests, who guarded it with a selfish i,
nd sacred care. When the energies .
nd powers of the people were diverted -
n channels of immortality, frivolity and :
rails of brute strength. When there !
we're no longer motives for advancing q
he race, but everything was selfish ',
ess. In this state of affairs came the !
ASH across the darkened skies that rent 9
he clouds of Ignorance and perhaps the :
reateSt ciyilizing force the world has =
cen Streamed forth upon the needy =
arth-it was Christianity. What Won y
ertul impetus was given to the thoughts =
nd progress of the world by this! 1t y
eeds no repetition. Another and hardly .
ass important stride came in the Refor- n
nation, which as the name indicates, !,
eformed the surface of Europe, cleansed r
he dirty spots from its face and placing y
once more in sound and healthy CON "
ltlon, bequeathed to the world political :,
nd religious freedom. But these have
lot been the only sudden advances of
reat moment that civilization has made. h
ne Renascence, of a more limited kind, n
which, as we know, gave birth to the =
reformation, gave, too, an impulse to .
the effects of which we can L
eenly appreciate, even to this day. We Y
must not suppose that in the intervals 1
between these lgreat Istrides that the i
worlds progress has been at Il stand !
I'll, wrapped in slumber and inactivity. a
There always has been taking place that e
.radual onward march which was sure /
lnd steady, which was impossible to !
rrest and which is still this day pro-
Iuclng within these very walls the self
anne evidences of its success.
We see today a numerous body of
Dung men and women. whose college J
is yyho tnJoy- IL. |