The pioneer express., 1908-06-05
COMMENCEMENT.
Continued from 1st page.
Address
Lydia Kohendorfer.

ming perhaps for the last time. We
have come to a resting place, bright
spot in our Journey. We have been
climbing to reach the top of a mountain
and have completed one step, our high
school course, which leads to the next
higher. And while we rest and as we
again proceed may we not forget the
lessons which we have learned and the
pleasure we have enjoyed during the
last three years. * x * AS we think
of past, present and future, that future
which shall not bring back to us our
school days again-a feeling of sadness
comes over us which our souls cannot
defeat. But even as we sorrow our
hearts grow lighter with the thought of
opportunities to come which are smiling
before us and ambition beckons us on
ward to the pinnacle of that mountain.
y = Be prepared for the hour of
opportunity. We are ready and eager
for the battle of life, and the glorious
successes of others who have gone bofore
urge us forward. 4: 4: If our lives
are purposeless they will always be fail
ures and will never wear the crown of
success which awaits US in the land of
opportunity. 4 We are all am
bitious. We value success and intend
earnestly to strive for it. Amid the
tempests of life we trust that our motto
shall be Excelsior" and we be led on
ward ard upward to the greater heights.
The Conservation of National Resources.
Sarah Arnason.
There was an America, land of plenty,
covered with forests and vegetation.
There is an America despoiled of the
greater part of these forests and much
other natural wealth: an America which
It's citizens are beginning to view with
alarm, and unless something is done
quickly there will be an America, land
of droughts and floods, barren of ver-
dure, mineral wealth and forests.
Fortunately something is being done.
In the last month the governors of many
states conferred with the president
about these important subjects. 4 X *
Our coal mines have furnished the
power that has built up this nation and
yet we are told that in $50 years all the
bituminous coal will be gone and that
the anthracite will last but fifty years.
* = * Meantime many great and
small water powers are gong to waste
which might if utilized save the coal.
OF all Of our natural resources, our
forests have been the most shamefully
wasted. Something now is being done
to protect them, but from the benefits
derived more should be done.
At the present rate our remaining for
ests will all be gone in thirty years.
This thought should fill us with the
greatest apprehension. Loss of timber
alone is not the only evil. Even more
alarming is the effect on the rainfall
Deforestation means months of drouth
followed by floods. y = + The un
protected surface soil is washed away
leaving the land unproductive and bare
The soil is carried in great quantities te
the rivers, some of it settling in the
channels and making them unnavigable
The Mississippi deposits twice as much
soil each year than is to be excavated il
the channel of the Panama canal. ~
Many states are engaged in reforestatiol
and our own governor is endeavoring t,
have forest reserve established il
North Dakota. y
| We can no longer allow such lack o
foresight unless we wish to be numbert
with the nations that have passed away
! q fate not suited to this beautiful lant
Of ours, q land blessed by God and pleas
| ing to mana land where all may EMO,
i life, liberty and the pursuit Of happi
ness