Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-08
PROF. ALLEN H0BEN IN
EXCELLENT ADDRESS
TO GRADUATES
DISPLAY ALLY FLAGS
lNTERES PROGRAM AT THE
THIRTY-NlkTH ANNUAL COM.
MENCEMENT EkURClSES-URGE
AUDIENCE TO BuY LIBERTY
BONDS

BONDS
The thirty.ninth annual commence
ment exercises of the students of the
Ottawa high school last evening at
the school auditorium. was an epoch
making event, Sixty eight graduates
of the class Of 1917 have the distnc.
tion of being the tiIat 10 receive their
diplomas in the new high school
looked forward to for years by mem
bers of the hgh school board aud
Ntawa's leading educators. About
Leo people were present laSt night
The ceremonies last evening. and
those year ago, were very much a.
ferent, Heretofore classes roceiya
their diplomas in the Gaycty theate"
which would never accommodate the
large number that sought to attend.
The stage setting this year was mach
different. Instead of a great display
of flowers and polted plants there Was
the flags of the allies. something hat
drove home 10 the people that this
nation was at war
A graduation exercise without tie
hirh school orchestra would seem out
of place, and Prof John Holt and his
young musicians were at their best
la9t evening.
The invocation was offered by Rev
q W. Chessman. pastor Of the FIRST
Baptist church. Miss Emily Palmer
member of the gradualinC class and
talented young Ottawa vocalist, sane
a beautiful number
Prof. Hohcn Speaker
Youth and The American Spirit ="
by Prof Allen Bobcn. of the Uniyar.
sity of Chicago. was the subject OF Il
very intercstins discourse. The
speaker interwove the progress of
our country with the progress of
youth. HI tended to show the i'm
picit fate of youth, their supreme
confidence aud their enthusiasm He
said in part
I'VE regard our ONn country az u
youth. We are the Oldest of any re-
public that has undertaken the man
aEement Of its own affairs by it, cit
liens. Russia is in the infant state.
and China Is just beginning TO cut
its baby teeth. II is tAis ideaIistic
state of mind upon which we are will
ing to face our destiny, with the jude
ment Of the crowd. God and fate In
humanity has been our watchwords.
God is deaIstic and invsablo. smith
Jones and Brown, our neighbors. are
subject to Investigation Youth be-
levcs he has confidence. Youth looks
to the beautiful goals ahead and of
ten underestimates the difficulties be
tween tho goals
Youth rs characterized by an i'm
plicit fate, which too, IS the spirit
of democracy.
"As a nation we are emerging into
new state of existence. | believe
we have passed the critical point
Our country is mobiIzing to fight ioJ
freedom and democracy This wa
has been the means Of bringing HON,
our conception of duty. Tho selec
tive service will be a method by whicl
each citizen may serve his countr'
best to the greatest possibility.
"There Is some parallel between III,
enthusiasm Of a youth and republic
of this kind Youth is the time whel
you don't only think you can do
thing. but you know you can do II
perhaps it is the only time. TO yout
this Is an easy world Prescriptions
conceited. lovahlc youth with an hol
est belief in himself
Sights War Preparations.
"Now that we are at war ! do nc
believe that Uncle Sam Is going u
to this question single handed. |
the spirit of the youth. he will sa
here goes and he will strike for .
that he's worth | believe that "
will excel the allies in our prepar
tion for war You young people ma
participate in all Of this let thcl
be no idle hours
You are all hnancicrS ] belieN
that everyone Of you, without exec
ton will buy a Liberty Bond. TT
community demands that you 70
partnership with Uncle Sam IN IN
war All he asked Is loan.
u believe this war will he OF
great benefit after all We will fiji
what real values lie behind us
VIII find q profound knowledge of ou
selves, ] welcome you graduates vi
are to participate in the highest pc
sble Joy, on q glowing life, In Il
land OF the free and the home OF u
brave