The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-21
HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM SCENE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT
 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES IN HISTORY OF THE NSTITUTIO

ized her ancestors two centuries ago.
 With this blessing of health, comes also the imperative duty of health Because of the many demands upon her strength, the American girl has the most sensitive nervous system ever produced by race of women, and she must constantly guard against wreck ing it either by neglect and exposure by over-care. "If the physical de mand is great, the physical repair must equal it.'' The girl that squan- ders this trust of health is as much a thief as the man that squanders money entrusted to Nm.
 The second advantage the American girl enjoys is the right of education. It is only within the last half century that institutions of higher learning have been open to women. ' Our grandmothers rarely thought Of studying economics, sociology, philoso- phy. Yet all these and many more have been added to the modern girls college. Everywhere the American girl has. access to libraries. And what changes have come in the meth ods of education! Laboratory work and individual thought are everywhere required.
 As a part of this education enamel. patton, women are allowed to think for themselves. Never can such tale be repeated that of Anne Hutchinson, whom the stern, God fearing Puritans of Boston Colony ex- fled because she had dared to express opinions which differed from those of conservative clergymen of the town.
 But what a large responsibility the American girl has inherited with her right of education! She may not throw it away, but must make it serve her. The educated girl will have of executive experience. She will have true sense of proportion, and will nave all her powers at her command She will have refined manners high standard of moral taste a. deep hu- man sympathy. She will be skilled In the art of living.
 With these two, the right of health, and the right of education, is a third privilege, the right to labor Only a few years ago, a woman was severely censured if she went into business, or entered a profession. Now women clerks, secretaries. but also business agents, college professors, physicians, and lawyers.
 The American girl has inherited not only the glorious right to labor, but resp ponsibility in labor. It is said of Alice Freeman Palmer, The lesson which Mrs. Palmer's life pre-eminent- | ly teaches is the life-preserving inf1uz ence of persistent, severe and judici- | ous1y managed labor In assuming 1 her part in labor, the educated girl | will abandon eccentricity or aggress- | iveness, and will be enthusiastic and i adaptible She will siege her civic opportunities, helping to solve com | munity problems, always adding the womanly touch in human relations. The American girl must now add a 1 fourth and last heritage: to health, 1 education, labor, the sacred privilege l of social friendship She can never 1 measure it's full value until she con- trast herself with her sister in the Orient, who knows so pitifully. little about the joy of comradeshtp and the happiness of friendship Even the 1 German maid and the English lass are restrained by customs.
 Once again, however, the American 1 girl must remember her resp onsibility l in the midst of her social freedom No | one censures her if she seeks some pleasure in life. but she will not flip panty let thirst for amusement rule her.
 She will not abuse her sacred priv ilege, but will enrich it by worthy l friendships. Leading a wholesome @ l life of work and play, with a sound mind in a. sound body. with a true 1 love of nature, a clear ideal of. ser vice, it is the American girls high l heritage to ennobIe her character by | strong, sincere friendships, to grow 1 into a full realization of true and no | b1e love, with the knowledge that love ] means, not more affection, but life sacrifice and devotion.
 These are the privileges which spring from the liberty so nobly won l by America These four-health, i education, labor, social friendship are the duties which, make up the l Am merican girls inheritance.
 And when she comes0this Ameri- 1 can gir1-crowned with her heritage I we will say to her in LoweI1s words,
 Maiden when such a soul as thine
 is born,
 The morning stars their ancient
 music make.
 And, joyful, once again their song
 Long silent now with melancholy And thou, not mindless of so blest a
 By no least deed its harmony shalt | break,
 But shalt to that high cline thy foot steps take,
 Through life's most darksome passes unforlorn;
 Therefore from thy pure faith thou shalt not fall.
 Therefore shalt thou be ever fair and free,
 And in thine every motion musical As summer air. majestic as the sea- '
 People I Should Like
 To Have Known.