Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-06-10

- ~ AAteAhJ 2ifOo ANA0tt1AOA NeoSS
mean the stopping place. Nobody on
this planet can become very wise be-
tween the ages of twelve and twenty,
and if parents were as anxious to sur
round their children with culture after
they have left school as before it would
make great difference. There is no
reason why work and study should not
go on together; work stimulates and
emphasizes study.
| have no wish to dampen the en-
thusiasm of commencement the stu
dents are TO be congratulated not so
much for what they have accomplished
for what they are to achieve. The op-
portunities for developing life between
twenty-five and fifty are greater than
from five to twenty-five.
No man is so busy that he cannot
make himself owner of some of the
great classics; this you may do if you
will, and thus turn grimness into graci-
BUSINESS. There is nothing as cheap as
intelligence and culture; there is money
making power in poetry, and house
keeping resources in art. When too
tired to sleep or read the soul has grown
weak for want of food, hence the econ
omic value of culture; there are great
resources in the disciplined mind and
trained head. Let the graduate realize
that there is no such thing as gradua-
ton, every day is commencement day
You can smile at many new reforms
and movements of the day only by cudd-
ling yourignorance study them closely
and your heart warns to them. So up
on this day | call upon you in the name
of those who have given you these privi-
ledges, to enter upon the post graduate
course of ethics.
The spiritual enthusiasm Of eighteen
will harden into bigotry at forty unless
| it grows; the human soul is climber
and only climbers reach the SIN light.
From twenty five to forty are the years
when the heart is most turbulent; these
may be the years of painful disappoint-
ment; how the soul will need the higher
helps Spiritual as we'll as intellectual
life is not the thing of years. One is
never too old to learn, never old enough
to graduate. Let us be sorry for the
girl who thinks she has finished her
studies; not twenty or forty or ten thou
sand years will witness the finish. This
is the commencement of a new life of
investigation and release from dogmas.
| would not be blind to the beauties of
commencement; but yet the most inter-
esting thing about you is your ignorance.
Come forth, into life, young man and
young woman Find shelter in the
shadow of the Master; and Inspiration
in earnest work In the helps of cul-
ture you viii forget the years behind
and press on.
The singing of the Glee Club in the
two selections, Schuman's 1.-TWO Grena-
diers," and Billiards. "The Pigtail,"
was particularly good. Both songs
were given in manner that showed
thorough training and good under,
standing of the character OF the music
sung.
Alfred G. Wilson, the valedictorian
spoke eloquently upon the life of Will
liam Mckinley. 1t Was Patrick Henry
who said, "We have 40 way Of prophe-
sying the future but by the past" We
must have high standard for judging
men. None appeals to us more strong
ly than William Mckinley. Several OF
the best years of his life were passed in
serving his country in the Civil War
but he did not swerve from his life pur-
pose and when the war was over
plunged strenuously into the study OF
law. His capability and worth were
soon recognized and he rose from one
position of trust to another until twenty
years of preparation brought him to the
executive chair. This country passed
thro' a great crisis during his admins
tration; with characteristic caution he
held back to the last hoping that some
other means than war might be opened
and when he did give the order bade
the men strike quick Sud hard and
cease at the first sigr of the enemy's
giving in. A clean, upright man, he
demonstrated that plen may reach the
highest place without bribery His
nature was full of sunshine; in all his
life be was never known to have inten.
tionally wounded anyone. His family
life was unusually tender and true
while his spiritual nature was revealed
In his last words, Gods will, not ours
be done and the singing of the great
hymn, Nearer My God to Thee" The
widespread mourning was universal
evidence of his love.
In the valedictory 1ress Mr. Viii
son spoke of his classn IS apprecia-
ton of the support of the people OF
Wausau, and their wish to prove them
selves worthy of this support. Dis
couragement has sometimes come but
on the whole the school life has been
one of pleasure; now it is to be left for
life's school and the combat with men
ard affairs 1t is breaking of school
ties and friendships and the going forth
from the presence and aid Of good
teachers. The lessons of perseverance
and energy learned in school will serve
to spur rs on thro' lie to nobler action
and achievement. Let us strive for the
higher and better life, and may we all
live worthy of ourselves and our dear
Alma Mater
The valedictory was followed by the
presentation Of diplomas by g. ID.
Jones. president of the school board.
Mr.. Jones told the class what great
pleasure it is at commencement tine
TO see our young people come forth
bravely, clear headed. to battle with
life, and to know that we may safely
trust problems we are unable 10 solve
~ shoaa ztro..or xourrr minds IL ar r