The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-06-30

building too much from the top down.
Our educational system if it have a
fault is top heavy We are now at.
tempting TO reverse the rule and [
believe it will be done. La this work
there can be no more important factor
imam the normal school. 1t can do
Tor our educational system more than
and other possible agency, 1t has al
ready done much. The statement of
Horace Mann, forty years ago, was
not extravagant when he said: ST be-
l1eve normal schools to be a new in
strumentality in the advancement of
the race. Coiled up in this institu.
t1on, as in a spring. there is a vigor
the uncoiling Of which may whirl the
spheres"
Let be remembered that it is not
the design of the normal schools to do
more than supply the natural de-
hclency from death, resignation and
removal. In the brief period Of their
existence they have sent out thous-
ands or our best teachers and who
can set the limit to the good which
mas followed? One single graduate
may bring to the state more than has
been the cost Of all the schools in all
these years. The power of a capable
man or woman is not to be expressed
In dollars and cents. anymore than
you a weigh the benefit of a CLEAN
OF sunshine in the balance.
Nor can any man say that the bust
ness interests Of our normal schools
have not been faithfully and prudent
ly managed. Your own Resident Di
rector, Mr.. Clark, has devoted the best
energies Of his life to this work, and
ives hOnorad and respected among
you. The state normal board is filled
with earnestness for it success, All
we ask is that the sums fairly neces,
sary may hereafter be supplied and
we Will promise in return that q new
luster shall be added to the fair
name of our state. If our nor
NAL schools are not nOw the best
IN the country, they will be made so.
And now, my young friends, l trust
you will go forth into your new work
with renewed inspiration. In pre-
senting to you diplomas from the
Mankato normal school | express the
hope that your lives may be long and
useful, and that in the evening Of your
days you may look back upon the
triumphs and find them in intellects
aroused, in inspirations heightened,
and steps turned into truer and nobler
way, Garry with you into your work
the spirit of the beautiful lines en-
titled "The Sweet Song of Duty;'
Learn ever the sweet song of Duty,
The low, soft, minor strain,
For quickly it blends into melody
A nd its echoes.forever remain.
Duty may be sweet and pleasant,
Or yet it may seem harsh and strong,
But tbs just as we make it,
It's for us to take 1t
And make joyous its solemn song.
Let us ever be true, brave and earnest,
The mountains which oft seem so high
Are only low hills when we reach them,
Be sincere, and soon they're passed by"
The class advanced and formed a
large semi-circle in double row to re-
ceive their diplomas, which were pre-
sented by Mr.. Ankeny. This done,
the members resumed their seats, and
the chorus rendered "The Miller's
Wooing" (Faning). The exercises
closed with a benediction pronounced
by Rev. Lee w. Beattie, pastor Of the
First Presbyterian church. A recep-
tion for the speakers and graduates
followed, large numbers pressing for
ward to shake their hands. q