The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-20
EXERCISES AT THE HOME
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ORPHANS
GRADUATION FROM SCHOOL.
Governor Durbin's Address in Presen-
tation of the Diplomas-Other
Features of the Day.
spec,al TO the Indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
KNIGHTSTOwN. Ind, June ls.-The an
nual commencement of the Soldiers and
Sailors Orphans Home took place to-day.
For the first time in the history of the in
stitution the Governor of the State was
present. The exercises of the graduating
class took place in Linada Hall. The pro-
gramme was as follows: Invocation by
Professor Graham; chorus, THE Lord is
Great" by the class; The Effective Work
of the World" Alta Cunningham; chorus,
THE wiegenlied." by the class: Twentieth
Century Fads," Birdie Schaeffer; trio Gin
strumentaD. Charles Bohm, Maurice Blue
and VIII Rider; Patriotism as Manifested
in Songs" Leo Smith; THE Three Great
Kingdoms," Charles Bohm; presentation of
badges, by Col. Benz. Starr; presentation OF
Bibles, by Mrs. Julia s. Conklin; presenta-
ton of diplomas; chorus, I'm the Harbor
We've Been Sheltered by the class. The
names of the graduates who did not have
part on the programme are as follows:
Emmett Humphrey, elena Renigar. Maurice
Blue, Grover Avery, Jessie Groves. Charles
Crawford, Lora Robertson. Flossie Ross,
Will Rider Minnie Homburg, Philip Faw-
ley, John Overholtz, Daisy Miner.
Department Commander Starr presented
the medals of the Grand Army with ap-
propriate remarks and Mrs. Julia S. Conk-
lin, of the board of trustees, presented
Bible to each member of the class on be-
half of the board. At the request of Prof.
Graham, Governor Durbin presented the
diplomas, addressing the class as follows:
LAS chief executive of this great State.
only good records have come 10 me or the
educational department OF this institution;
and l desire to thus publicly express my
approval thereat. Your superintendent has
asked of me that / deliver your diplomas.
1 assure you of the pleasure l. nave In so
doing. cannot say all OF the many Things
there is in this little scroll. First is the
thought that you have performed well the
duty allotted you by your teachers and or
ficers. When the year will have come ano
gone, and you are sitting by your own hre-
sides, and are gazing on this DIP iona, IL
will recall TO you, / verify believe, the end
of the period of the happiest days OF your
lives. Our school days are, indeed, our
happest days, and they should be the most
valued days. You are on the threshold or
life In the days you have spent here you
have had someone to guide and direct you.
You leave its protecting care with the ad-
vice and admonition OF those VINO nave MAD
charge of you, and you go out into, ana,
may l say, up against, the world. There
will be the glad hand of welcome given you,
but the procession will not stop TO admit
you. You will receive encouragement along
the line but, as has been stated TO you, there
will be many discouragements, and while
the world will welcome you, and while you
may think the world owes you a living, yet
the world will neither put clothes on your
back nor shelter over your head, nor bread
in your months without earnest effort and
endeavor on your part.
"Will you pardon a personal reference.
When / left my country home and went
out into the world, my surroundings were
really no better than yours, my educational
advantages probably not equal TO yours.
went TO the capital city and was there en-
ployed by firm in a clerical position. one
day a member OF the firm laid some lines
before me, and while they are not beautiful
in expression, TO me they meant much:
1T is not fame nor rank nor state. but git
up and git that makes man great Bear
that in mind. We are living in an age with
the spirit of git up and git. Now, young
men, l know not where you Will go, or
what your calling may be. or what you are
going to try 10 accomplish. Do not be
afraid of work. Do not be afraid OF doing
more than is allotted to you. Do not get
the idea that eight hours is a days work
Do not expect your employer to make you
valuable TO him, but make yourself valu-
able to your employer. Keep your eyes OF
the hands Of the clock. Show TO your en-
ployer by your words and deeds what you
can do 10 make yourself valuable. Do not
always be looking out for promotion. II
will come 10 you; it may be slow, but will
be all the better for that, coming that way
In handing you these certificates
would have go with them from the position
i y
best wishes. ! wish you Godspeed in al
your undertakings, and that the heavenly
Father may guide and direct you, and lead
you to your highest ambition in life, and
that in looking back. after you have gained
the summit. that you will have the as
surance that the world is better for your
having lived in it.
one of the most pleasing features OF the
| exercises appeared in the theme, ''Patri-
otism as Manifested in Songs" The young
| man repeated the words of the national
| songs Of the leading nations, the pianist
playing them as he spoke After Amer,
| lea" had been given the school arose and
! sang the School Song OF Indiana" 70 the
| old French air, .'Vive la Compagnie, the
words being written by Hubert NJ. Skin
ner The last verse follows:
20 State that first in thy loyalty
| shown,
Proved in our Nations woe,
And first 10 give woman the right TO her
own,
Broadly thy honors grow.
| Thy sons ard thy daughters, with lofty
acclaim.
Join in the Joy and the pride of thy name
Age upon age. history,s page bright with
Among the visitors were Governor and
| Mrs. Durbin. Major Fletcher NJ Durbin
| State Auditor and Mrs. Hart. Department
| Commander Starr, Assistant Genera
| Smock and daughter and Miss Stewart
| Homk. Carmel, president w r. C., Depart
| ment OF Indiana: Mrs. DR.. league, Indian
| apols: Melvin Caldwell. Noblesville.
Major John w. Ross. OF Connersville
| Capt Allen II. Dougall. OF Fort Wayne
! Smith. of Indianapolis. Of the board OF Wis
| TORS were present, and organized by th'
l choice of Z. A. Smith as chairman anS
Allan II. Dougall as secretary. The Home
| has never had more satisfactory com
mencement. ---.--