Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-24
Graduation Days.


With the closing weeks Of each re-
curing June comes that season so i'm
portant in the lives OF the young peo-
ple of the land. the time of gradual
tions. The sweet girl graduate and the
young man in cap and gown hold the
center of the stage. while their
friends admire and applaud. On the
commencement platform the great
problems Of the day are settled with
neatness and dispatch. the bouquets
and diplomas are accepted with easy
grace, and "a The world-is- mine"
sentiment surges in every graduates
heart. Hopeful. happy youth! Would
that it could know its halcyon days at
their true worth before they have
fed
During the last half of the present
month many thousands of young men
and women are leaving our universe
ties, colleges. high schools and acade-
mics to enter upon the careers for
which they have been preparing. 1t
is an important period in each young
life. and as happy as rare is that
graduate who, in the midst of class
day festivities and commencement
congratulations. does not feeel regret
at the opportunities wasted. keen
realization that he has not made the
most Of his opportunities for the seri-
Gus business Of life. One thing which
the graduate does not lack is good ad-
vice. In the baccalaureate esermon, in
the addresses of professors and teach
ers. In the salutatory. the valedictory.
the ofation. the poem and the parting
address. i'm the newspaper editorials
by Writer'S who make il their business
to give good advice to every and par
ticulahy to graduates. there is a
wealth Of admonitory wisdom which
not his shoulders broad and his nature
buoyart. Most Of il does him no harm
and some of it may do him good.
The graduating classes are longer
and lager each year. The opportuni-
ties and the demand for educated men
and women are greatly in excess of
those of former years. New fields are
opening in all directions and the call
is loud Or trained laborers. Some say
we are ducating too much. Whatever
the trutf of this, it is certain that we
are educ.ting and will continue to ed
ucate. tits also certain that there is
far moreperil in under education than
mover eucation. Nobody can draw the
line and ay with confidence just how
far we slould educate. The more we
educate tie more we increase the in
telligent wants of the community.
Practical, progressive America is do
ing more and more for education be-
cause it pyS to do so. Our great uni
versities nd colleges are the best in
vestmentsmade by the American peo-
pie.
During 0lS commencement season OF
1901 from so. 900 to 10000 young men
and womei are passing from our high
er institutions of learning into the pro-
LESSONS ad business of life. A far
greater multitude will depart from the
institution If lower grade. The season
Use Of traneendent Importance to them
all. The weld expects much of them
and will mt be disappointed. Some
will be failres but it will be in spite
of, rather tan because Of their high
er educa ton All are rich in lofty ideals
and in the trength that comes from
close contact with good men and good
books. Theirbest possession lies not in
what they haze learned from the class
room. lecture hall and laboratory, but
in the fact tat they have learned to
learn. The aures among them will be
those who. DER conscious of the little
knowledge thy have acquired, imag-
ing that theyBhould cease to study
when text-bOSs and notebooks are
laid aside.