The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1907-05-31
Graduating Exercises

, | hSoct tibuN NNChihS q tult hpuSN
i greeted the grauating class of the high
school at The Armory, and listened with
interest to the orations.
Percy Stewart lead, speak, ing on
"Fame." He referred to the different
kinds of fame attained by different men,
and spoke of Dewey and Grant in war,
Lincoln AS statesmen, Harriet Beecher
Stowe in literature, Burbank in science
and Jesse James in that notoriety that
leaves only monument of dime novels
and nothing to endear him to people.
! Lucy Bonds subject was Jean Val
jean, and brought out the thought Of
permitting the conscience to guide in
the formation of character, and obeying
its whispers at all times. Jean Vatican,
a man who suffered 10 years service as
galley slave and became embittered
and hardened, was cited as an example
of what might be accomplished in re-
storing conscience to its rightful sphere
after it had been dethroned 1t was
marked by good delivery and showed
care full preparation.
Albert Whitten on The building Of
the Nation, reviewed our country and
it's progress, it's achievements and the
tendency that should ever be.cultivated,
! towards obedience to the laws in all
things. He spoke Of Rockefeller and
Carnegie and their great wealthIwrested
from the people, and trying to atone
for wrongs done by giving it back again.
He spoke well and displayed fine strong
voice.
Violet Gray gave review.lof Lady
McBeth. 1t was careful, thoughtful
analysis of her career and her character
and closed with the words of her hus-
band when he received the announce
ment Of her death, to the effect that
this life is but candle that burns for
while, fickers. goes out and is forgot
ten. His vew.was correct SO far as it
applies to the life that has no purpose
but self, and no guiding star except the
gratifying of selfish ambitions.
w. O. Chapman, ON Crossing the
Rubcou, reviewed the meaning OF the
expression and showed that most lives,
and especially the grea. ones, have
Rubicon to cross. A point where it
takes courage and judgement to deter
mine what course to take; whether to
go forward to great achievement under
great risk and with great effort or to sit
down and quit. Napoleon crossed the
Rubicon when he undertook to raise the
siege of Toulon, Lincoln crossed his
Rubicon when he undertook to preserve
the union and abolish slavery; Arnold
crossed his Rubicon the wrong way
when he sold out to The British.
Professor Gould's address dealt with
commencement, and showed that it is
the time of launching out for ones self
the preparation has been made and the
actual work commenced. Up to this
time the pupil has teachers to lean on,
but must now depend on self. The
graduate who gets the idea that he has
learned it all at school, has put up the
bars between himself and life. He
misses the best there is, with its oppor-
tunites opening before him. His prep
aration in school simply equips him to
cope with the problems Of life and sovle
them if it is in him to do things.
, Quoting from Channing's symphony,
he said "To live content with small
means; to seek elegance rather than
luxury, and refinement rather than
fashion, to be worthy. not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars
and bird, babes and sages with open
heart; to study hard; to think quietly,
act frankly, talk gently, await occasions
hurry never; in word, to let the spirit
ual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up
through the comman this is my sym
phony."
Geo F. Gagon presented the diplo-
mas with short speech in which he
emphasized the importance OF work;
steady, well l-directed and persistent.
At the close of the exercises the usbers
brought up the flowers from the aud
lence, and it was very gratifying to see
that each graduate was well remem-
bered with these emblems. Somebody
sent up cigar to Mr.. Gagon, which ne
playfully displayed to the happy aud
ience. Dows Smith presented some
beautiful flowers for the Juniors. and
altho he lost his head and got his speech
mixed, he held on until he got his thots
together and finished it, greatly to his
credit and to the relief of his audience
The orations were interspeised with fine
| musical selections.
On Friday afternoon a program was
rendered in Miss Coumerllh's depart
ment, which was attended by many OF
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