St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-07-08
FOrty-Three Years
SOule's College.

The forty third anniversary and
commencement exercises Of Soule's
College, New Orleans. took place on
Thursday, June 80. There were forty
three graduates. and medals were pre-
scented to sixty-seven deserving pupils.
The sxlutatorian was Mr.. Marcel
Garsaud, of the Academic School, and
the valedictory was read by Mr.. VIM.
D. Davis, of the Commercial School.
Colonel Soule's advice to the gradu-
ates was delivered in his happiest
humor, aud his practical talk was as
interesting as it was beneficial and in
structive. Among other things he said:
"Be ambitious and persevering.
Strive to be leaders In whatever line OF
service or profession you adopt. If You
are employees, strive by all honorable
means based upon proper qualifications
and fitness, to become employers. But
do not misinterpret this advice. Ifyou
occupy subordinate positions in either
private or public service. cheerfully and
faithfully execute all lawful and ethical
commands. Do not assume the authority
of masters aud the powers of Deity and
then act like demons, as has been done
by many of the puplic servants Of our
city, state and nation.
"By proper efforts as here directed
you may safely count upon dethroning
misery and of enthroning happiness.
BY such laudable efforts you will place
yourselves among the most lofty and
stand proudly among the proudest.
"Should, however, the vicissitudes
of life refuse you ascent to the higher
planes of success and glory, or should
the arrows Of outrageous fortune
wound and defeat your hopes and a..
pirations, still, with the philosophlc
fortitude of Socrates, maintain your In
tegrity of character and do your duty.
| sThis word duty holds . magic power
that is almost supernatural, and 1t has
been commended by the wisest and the
best.
ssPlato tells us to do our duty whether
we are successful or unsuccessful,
whether we triumph or not, and rest
satisfied.
Clemson sings,
Not once or twice in our rough island
story
The path Of duty was the way to glory.
eIn the late war with Spain, Commo'
dOre Dewey was ordered to capture OF
destroy the Spanish navy in the east
In obedience to this command, In the
discharge of his duty, on the LIST day Of
NAV, 1898, his sqadr0n entered the bay
of Manila and Immediately engaged
and completely destroyed the entire
Spanish fleet.
"This grand achievement WAS NOR
brilliant than the victory or Lord Mel.
son at Trafalgar. of Napoleon at thu
Pyramids, of Octavious at Actium, Of
the Greeks at Salatnis.
"This splendid victory, the result o
duty faithfully performed, covered th'
United States navy with glorv; 1t gav'
renown to the great republic Of TIN
United States. and it raised the rank o
Dewey from commodore to rear admira
and wrote his name in golden capital
upon the tallest tower Of the templ'
of fame.
i "It was duty that held the Pagan sen
tinel to his post until death relieves
him. when the fiery ashes and sulphur
Gus vapor of Vesuvius overwhelmed
Pompeif eighteen centuries ago.
equity was the watchword Of Wash
ington and of Lee throughout thei
eventful lives, SO full OF example
worthy of our imitation.
equity faithfully performed make
the merchant prince, the railroad Ping
the factory millionaire, the renowne'
artist, the eminent statesman. IN
profound scientist, the erudite scholar
the venerated theologian, and the happ.
god-like man.
"It is the faithful performance o
duty In mans chosen profession tina
builds the shining monuments OF brass
and erects the memorium column whtcl
speaks in silence eloquece OF service
well done.
.Victor Hugo tells rs that Sin tn
twentieth century, war, capital punish
ment. monarchy, dogmas and frontier
will al disappear and there will be 10
. all one great country, the earth, and on
great hope. heaven Strive 70 max
true Hugo's prediction.
WTo be an honorable and honore'
actor In the worlds evolving durin
the coming half century will be
greater privilege than was ever enjoys
by man IN any preceding age. il 20
would perform your part faithfully an
, well you must know yourselves, uttltz
your own individuality and originality
bow to the majesty Of the law, and Wit
temperance and judgment use I'll %
powers Of the body and Ill the feculete