Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-05-27
THE GRADED SCHOOLS CLOSE.
Hone. O. Featherstone, of Laurens,
Delivered an Excellent Address.

Last Friday eyehlng at $50 O'Clock
the session of 1907-08 of our graded
school came to a close. From many
standpoints 1t has been hard term,
but as a whole 1t has been very sue
cessful. The teachers have performs
ed their duties faithfully and con-
scientiously. The children, too, have
responded readily to the various calls
that have been made to them; SO
that, with all their hindrances, some
good work has been done. Our school
1s one of the best equipped in the
county, and the only thing we need
now is for our patrons to take q lit
tie more lively interest in its affairs.
Lets take that interest In It and the
teachers that will allow us to say
our school, and not "the school,"
The teachers must have the hearty
cooperation and support of the pa
irons else the children soon lose In
terest, and when that is done the
work OF the teacher becomes an un-
welcome burden.
AT the opening of the exercises
Prof. Kennedy gave brief, but com
prehensive review of the years work.
and stated the reasons why It was
deemed best not to attempt anything
In the nature of an elaborate COM
mencement this year. Instead Of the
usual exercises by the pupils dis
tlnguished speaker was invited to adj
dress them upon some timely topic.
Vide c.. Hughs, Esq, in a few
we'll chosen and appropriate remarks,
embracing some timely thoughts on
Opportunity" introduced the Hon.
z. G.. Featherstone, of Laurens, as
the orator of the evening. Mr. Fea-
therstone said that he was SO accus-
toned to speaking on prohibition that
he was afraid he would drift into
that before he had finished. His
theme was "Government--Individ-
ual, Family, State" He discussed 1t
in a mastery manner, showing that
government begins in the individual,
and that since the State Is made up
OF individuals, it's government can be
no higher than the ideals of it's citi-
zens. Then he urged the necessity
of sentimentality in order to inspire
high ideals, and pointed out the fact
that on account Of the growing disre-
gard Of the Bible as a text book and
one of the pieces of standard litera-
ture in the home, the home govern
ment is growing more lax every day.
With the Bible as guide good citi Z.
zenship and Christian people would
be natural result because in it can
be found literature to fit every condi-
ton.
He lamented the fact that on ac-
count of the conditions stated we, as
nation, have lost sight Of the lofty
sentiments that should characterize
us, and have become nation Of
money grabbers and commercialists.
In concluding he impressed the
fact that he would not have us be
idealists, but that we could use ideal
principles for practical purposes and
still retain our identity.
After the address, in the absence
of Mr.. Herndon, the chairman of the
| board, on account Of sickness, Prof.
Kennedy delivered the diplomas to
the two graduates, Misses Lola Kauf-
mann and Ethel Angel. The records
made by these young ladies are very
creditable in all respects, but espe-
cially in attendance. Miss Kaufman
has record of six years without a
single absence or tardy mark, and
Miss Angels is almost as good.
| With the delivery of the diplomas
the exercises were announced closed,
and the large audience that had
gathered in the court room went
away feeling that the speaker had
told them something worth remem-
bering and with a greater determi
nation to increase the number Of the
next graduating class If possible.
|