The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-06-28

Hastings was acquitted; but Burke had, nevertheless, succeeded in re- forming the wretched conditions and swayed public sentiment against them so that they were no longer tolerated.
 Meanwhile the French Revolution had broken out, true to Burke's pre- dfctions. which he had made on his return from France, some time before. Burke g intense hatred of atheists and political theorists appeared, when he perceived the course of events in France; losing all sight of the oppres- sion of the masses, he stormed against the treatment of the royalty. Soon, the Reflections on the Revolution in France appeared, expressing his opinions on the revolt. It had an enormous sale, but, expressing ideas, contrary to those he had previously held, Burke became estranged from his lifelong associates and on the other hand, was praised by. the royalty of Europe. Some of his thoughts con- tained great wisdom in his "Ref1ec- stions' in spite of the bitterness against the National Assembly and those Eng lishmen who favored it. He foresa W the advancing shadow of the Reign of Terror, he predicted the rise of 6 military dictator and picked flaws in the constitution of France. This work was followed by several others and in Affairs" he said: "I have done with this subject, believe, forever, which has given me many anxious moments for the last two years" Immediately after these events, he came to the de- fense of his mother country and fought for toleration in Ireland, advocating the admission of Irish Catholics to franchise, with some degree of suc- cess
 Soon Retired.
 But now, Burke was getting old and careworn, and soon retired from Par liament to his home in Beaconsfeld. In recognition of his noble and self sacrificing work for the interests of the Kingdom, he was granted a pen sion. On being attacked for accepting this pension, he replied with the Let ter to Noble Lord," which was soon followed by. his last writing. Letters on a Regicide Peace" Away from po- litical dissension he passed the re- maining hours of his life, and died in the sixty-frst year of his age on the ninth of July. 1797.
 Thus died one of the most pure soulei men of the time, whose main interests were those of the helpless, the unfortunate and the oppressed, whose noble sense of justice drove him into frenzy at the sight of grievous wrongs. He would not tolerate op- pression in the American Colonies nor in India; and driven on by the most unselfish thoughts. his great spirited soul rebelled and broke forth into most fiery attacks against the oppres- sors- It was his intense unselflshness and generosity. which compelled him to refuse a most promising offer for the sake of his party and also to estab- fish. a school for the children of the French refugees. It was his sturdy in- dependence, which shone forth, when. at the risk of losing his seat represent ing Bristol in Parliament, he came to the defense of Ireland and fought against the pleas of his constituents: when distracted by fear of the French Revolution and taunted by his fellow members, he did not hesitate to break eff his friendship with Fox, although he admired the man very greatly. It was this open-handed liberality, his unquenchable energy, and exhaustless until the day when he plunged into despair by the sad loss of his son and his friends, the Honorable Ed mund Burke passed out of this life; and on that day a life went out which had made such great tides in human destiny very luminous, and as in his own words, he wrote, Alas, I am alone, I have none to meet my ene- mics in the gate!"
 Valedictory Address.
 At the conclusion of the adine of the essays there was more. music Isaac Edward Schfne delivered the valedictory address. The contest for DrORTQ was so keen between Mir. Schine and May Hannah Best, the salutatorian- that only fraction of one per cent separated them in the final markings MT. Schine being slightly higher in his marks. This keenness added in terest to his remarks and his address was listened to with intent interest He spoke as follows:
 The members of the Board of Educa-
 tion:
 Once more a high school class pre- sents itself before you, the result of many years of your unwearying care.
 AS we go forth to take upon our selves the burdens and the responsi- bilities of men and women. we feel how great a measure of thanks we owe you for our preparation. Though we have the one regret that it was not our good fortune to graduate from the new high school neverthe- less it is with thoughts of deepest gratitude for the splendid opportuni- ties and rich benf1ets which we have enjoyed that we thank you here to- night in words and it is our earnest hope and desire that we may in after years show our thanks more sub stantially by our deeds.
 The Superintendent.
 Although, owing to the nature of your office, we have not been brought into very close relations during the past four years, nevertheless we feel that your personal influence and con- stant solicitude for our welfare have been greatly effective in moulding the character and the standard of this graduating class. It is left for the last moment of our immediate connec- ton with our dear school to meet you personally and to extend to you our sincerest thanks for your earnest ef- forts in our behalf.
 Our Principal
 Twenty years! What magnii- cent record, For 20 years you have directed the interests of the Bridge port high school, and tonight for the 20th time you send forth from your sheltering care a class, this time the largest of your career. Time alone can confirm the long and careful training we have received. We thank you most sincerely for your great part m it. We are hoping, large in mum bers as we are, for an especial place in your remembrance and we are talk Ing with us the abiding feeling, that In the future as in the past, we have in you a friend
 Our Teachers.
 For four long years you have labor ed with, bearing with our shortcom- ings, our mistakes, our failures. For four years you have taught us, direct ing our energies toward the discovery of our own powers. At all times you have been ready to aid in our difficult