The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1908-05-28

is the greatest gift you have re-
ceived from your alma mater:
What is the great new thought, the
higher creed with which she has
inspired you. If you have learn
ed your lesson Alright, it seems to
me that the priceless gift is the
awakening to knowledge of the
truth and responsibility. Unless
this is fully realized, your training
and ours will fail of its highest
aims. and your college will fail Of
the full return which it has a right
to expect from the investment it
has made in you. Some of you
remember when Central was first
built. 1t has been but short time
since-but you have seen her ad-
vance in every line. From an
ugly straw field with gully-washed
corn rows, we have developed !,
what we think, most beautiful
lawns and almost groves; the curri-
culum has increased from year to
year, not only nominally but really,
the value of the property has al
most doubled itself.
The class of 1908 has ever stood
and worked for the progress of the
college. The problem that now
confronts us, however, is not the
part we have played, but the part
we are yet to play. The question
to which each of us must address
herself is-what is the real educat-
ed woman and what part she
should play in Arkansas? AS
children, the tragedy of the devas-
tation and humiliation of our own
Southland was burned into our
hearts, as we listened to the story
of its desolation by war. If there
had been and absorbing passion in
the lite of the Southern woman,
it has been the desire to see this
homeland of hers take once more
its fitting position of power and in
f1uence in the nation. We have
been proud when we have read of
our mothers and grandmother S
heroic patience and sacrifices,
when the South contended with
misconception, calumny and scorn.
We hope to see the day when we
shall hold our own in all worthy
aims with the very best in the
land. To this great end, we be-
lieve it imperatively necessary that
strong leaders shall be trained, who
shall have the wisdom to see the
truth and the courage to live up
to the responsibility of it.
Ruskin in speaking to the wo-
men of England, says, There is
not a war in the world, nor an in
Justice, but that the women are
answerable for it,, and it is taught
by all great thinkers that it is the
woman who watches over, teaches
and guides the youth. If such re-
sponsibility is ours, how then
shall we see clearly the truth and
follow its leading, except we be
taught, and who shall teach the
truth to the young except the
college bred woman, who in such
quiet halls as these, have drawn in
the truth as the inspiration of their
lives and who feel the responsible
ity for it. She may lead, but often
does not. She should see and feel
the truth more clearly than her
neighbor, but often shirks her re-
sponsibility. appeal this after
noon to the alumnae and the class
of 1908 of Central College to grasp
the great opportunities that await
them to rally around their Alma
Mater. Through the self sacrifice
and labors of its founders, trustees
and teachers these advantages have
been given you and she stands
today for high ideals which are
the guide posts on the road to
truth-sO
Hats off
See her flag is waving high.
Banquet.
The COstlieSt event of the day