The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-06-23
Class of 1899.


present. Village hall was crowded
standing room having to be utilized. On
the platform were Principal Prichard
his assistant, Miss Tavlor, the ten mem
bers of the graduating class and Rev. A
H. Webb. The stage was splendidly dec
GRATED with flowers and potted plants
Across the front was bank OF ferns anC
on the top the class motto, "Rowing not
Drifting" in the class colors, pink and
Jgreen. The music by the Lyndonville
orchestra gave good satisfaction. 1t was
their first appearance here and their work
may sometime result in another engage.
ment. Prayer was offered by Rev. A. III
Webb.
The first graduate to address the au.
dience was Earle Ellwin Wilson, who
gave the "Salutatory'' with oration
american Ideals" The salutatory was
in Latin and showed that the speaker
had received thorough instruction in tnat
branch of the classics. Some are of the
opinion that American ideals are reach
ing their highest point. Time will show
how much there is to this. 1t is asked
/ occasionally if American ideals are not
becoming corrupt but to this we answer
no, a thousand, times no. Some think
that America forsook her ideals in the
prosecution of Spain. but this was right
in line with her ideals. War was waged to
carry liberty to an oppressed people, the
. CduSt Vi dill our wars lie
code of American ideals. raised to high
point by our fathers. will be carried still
higher by the present and future genera
tionS.
Carrie Emma Norcross told about
"Silent Influences" All the most beau
tiful influences come to us in a quiet
way. The influences of nature are silent,
as when the sun sheds its beauty upon
the earth. The strongest influences in
the world are those that come to us
silently, for in this way we receive les
sons never to be forgotten and that have
much to do with the formation of our
character. The speaker told how people,
like nature, had their silent influences
that go from them to do good or evil to
those with whom they are associated.
Modern Knighthood'' was the subject
of Raymond Warren Browns Grafton
he first told about the knighthood of old
England, what 1t was and what it stood
for then. In these modern days we are
substituting for knighthood true man
hood and womanhood. Whether we are
treat or not depends upon ourselves We
can be great in the eyes of our friends if
not in the eyes of the nation. Life, with
| IS mistortunes and SORROWS, is the field of
lhe knight. The ultimate end of all edu-
cation is character building. Character
Is an element in the true knight as neces-
Aary as patriotism and courage.
How Step by Step we gain the Heights"
was told by Luthera Maude Carleton
We have not wings but have feet that
should enable us to climb and scale the
heights. Hannlbals march to Italy over
the Alps was accomplished in the face
of obstacles that seemed Insurmountable.
But he set out to gain the heights. Great
difficulties did not discourage him. lie
kept onward, made the passage of the
Alps and won great victories. Every
step of progress IN the history of nations
has been made i'll the face of opposition.
1t is step by step, not by bound, that
we reach the goal.
Invention the fruit of Civilization'
by Fred Emmond Everett. Invention has
advanced with civilization In not many
years there has been great change in the
methods of farming, transportation and
signalling. Manufacturing has greatly
increased. Implements of warfare have
been greatly improved and there has
been a rapid development in photography.
Invention has followed closely on the
heels of civilization, the latter being a
great aid in construction and making
possible many of the seemingly wonder
full things accomplished.
Minnie Rose Eames on "Determina-
ton or Genius" said that tAe acquisition
of power was more valuable than knowl-
edge. We should be satisfied with moth
ing less than our best. The world is full
of theoretical, one-sided men and such
man is often called genius. Practice
teaches patience. 1t is keeping right on
that is mans life battle. Nothing worth
doing is done by accident Genius will
do all in its power but determination is
still marching on after something that is
higher and nobler.
The Spirit of Conquest by Ernest
Standlick Locke. One of the greatest
% of the downfall nt Eranob
pire was due to over confidence in Ma
pUlean 1t was the spirit arising from
his many victories that gave the French
this confidence in the great general.
America has by conquest attained lead
ing position among nations. The spirit
OF conquest is increasing The school is
in a large sense the birthplace of this
spirit. Every conquest has opened up
the way tor higher couQuestS.
"Night Brings Out the Stars" by EN-
ma Frances Blaisdelle. The most beauii-
full time of the day is sunset Without !
darkness the stars will not shine. With |
out sOrro Ns the bright spots in life will !
not be appreciated. As diamond is !
polished so must our lives be polished. |
There are dark days and it is good that |
there are for they tend to make our lives |
better, polished as it were. Great things |
can only be accomplished through pre- |
viOus experience. A failure often leads |
to success. As night brings out the stars |
so sorrow makes us more appreciative of |
the bright spots in our life.
Grace Emma Washburn talked about |
Addition" She described the growth |
of the Mississippi from a small river np
in Wisconsin to one of the greatest in the |
world. AS the river increases in size by |
the addition of many smaller streams so |
the child gradually develops into a man
Or woman. Lit lie things neglected dwarf !
our lives. Single acts make life success
full. Vigorous constitutions are obtained
by addition. English people understand
the value of physical exercise. In Amer
ca will force largely takes the place of
strength. There is little excuse
Tor rough uncultured intellect.
"Hitch your Wagon to a Star" with
was delivered by Clayton
Lemuel Erwin. We live in an age of ad-
Man cannot aspire if he
looks down. We must nave some OF the
energy OF Napolean in our attempts to
reach lofty heights and some of the per-
severance displayed by Demosthenes in
his struggle to overcome obstacles in the
yay of his aspirations. Make your fail
1res successes-hitch your wagon to a
star The impulse of a pule ideal lifts us
INTO an atmosphere of true wisdom and
happiness. Look upward and live up
ward. In his valedictiory he expressed
heartfelt gratitude to officers, teachers
and friends for the work done in behalf