The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1906-06-14
MIR. Alderman Address
Delivered Before the Graduates of
the High School Department Of
the Henderson Public Schools.

Following is the address of Super
intendent j. 7. Alderman delivered
before the graduates of the Higl
School Department of the Henderson
Graded School at the commencement
exercises, June 1st:
Young ladies and gentlemen: You have
successfully passed the tests and exami
nations required to complete the course
in our schools. The labOrs and trials 81
the grades have indeed passed. The
| friendly contests which have sharpened
| your wits during these years must now
give place to the sterner struggles and
| realities OF life
line future IS great stOre-house of I'M
tried experiences. You must, each for
himself, find the way into avenues and
fields OF duty and usefulness. Atpresent
the horizon may seem tinted in the rose
ate lines, but soon this will fade away
and leave you confronted with the dis
appointing casts OF a leaden sky. Into
Ines drama you must enter alone and
find your way to success or failure.
give you three keys which will unlock
the doors and open the way before you.
The first key is GentHty. Suavity of
manners furnishes sure passport to the
business heart. No matter what other
qualities one may possess, boorishness
and lack of civility will prove insur-
mOultable. Make yourself attractive
and desirable.
The second key is Honor. Be sure your
sins will find you out. Keep your heart
pure and free. Keep your hands unstain-
ed, clear and above-board. Be not salts
fed with fictitious or surface honesty,
but be ever ready for the scrutinizing
gaze OF the All-seeingeye Be the soul OF
honor. ever cheerful and bright. The
thoughts and imaginings are portrayed
upon the countenance. Evil habits will
betray themselves in the eye and face.
Business men have learned to read them.
would have you be Christians from purer
motives, but take the Christ spirit with
you into your everyday life Keep a con-
science void OF offense or evil.
The third key is Preparation and Per
severance. In your classes you have made
successful preparation in a general way.
Now you must make specific preparation
for some special duty. If you fail in pre-
pairing yourself for business opportuni-
ties, do not complain at your lot when
the opportunity has passed away. The
world is full OF men who can do nothing
well, while the man who is we'll equipped
Is never without opportunity. And what
ever your hands find to do, do with all
your might
And now to the people of Henderson:
The schools have been before YOU for
seven years. We are happy in our new
home. The Trustees are all busy men:
yet they have labored earnestly without
the hope of fee or reward to make the
schools worthy of your confidence and
support. The community has had the
benefit OF their business minds as carefully |
occupied in the welfare of the schools as
IN their own private business. Where |
else IN our land have the school interests
been SO fortunate! /
Ample school facilities will soon be in
Easy reach of every child in the township.
Let the good people rally to the aid of
me teachers in getting the children to
attend school. We want every child of
chool age in the schools. The ladies
night do great service to the children by
organizing to see that none stay away
rom school for lack of clothing, books or
GOD. The people need to hunt up those
Who are desolate and need encourage
1ent. Let us rally to our duty.