Phoenix tribune., 1922-06-10
COLORED Division PHOENIX UNION HIGH SCHOOL
Celebrates GREATEST COMMENCEMENT IN IT'S
HISTORY; FOUR GRADUATES RECEIVE DIPLOMAS

delivered by Earle Alfred Johnson at
the graduation exercises of the Col
ored Division of the Phoenix Union
High School, Monday evening May
20. The grafton follows:
"sILENT FORCES"
These vast and extensive plains,
these lofty mountain peaks and the
valleys that lie between, owe their
existence, to the silent Forces of
nature
The wonders of the deep both in
spire and amaze us.
Who knows when the Anthozoa one
of the lowest forms of animal life
began its work at the bottom of the
sea?
Through ages it has built and
woven it's network so firmly that
keels of wooden vessels are dashed
to pieces against it. UPWARD, ever
upward it grows until it reaches the
surface of the waves, then plants
floating along are caught in this
network: The glossy leaved man
grove, the cocoanut and other vege-
tation washed from the shore find
their way here, grow and multiply
on this sub-tropital Coral island.
Florida. one of our states was
formed in this manner.
Thus Silent Forces" of nature
drives man to use the dredge and
shovel daily to clean bay and channel
from its never ceasing growth.
The greater part of mans life is
spent in Transforming his environment
or in overcoming the adverse forces
of nature.
If he can be benefited, he will coax
stream from its mountain fastness
to water desert waste; build a tun-
mel to facilitate travel; erect wall
against an inrushing sea; transform
hamlet to a metropolitan city.
We behold the change and marvel.
We saw the cranes and derricks
lifting the parts into place.
We saw the men rushing to and
fro carrying material and adjusting
the parts.
We heard the sledge and hammers
riviting the spikes and screws; but
we did not see the thoughts of Him
who planned it all.
Thought is the greatest Silent
Force" in the world to-day-Thought
constructive thought founds and
builds empires, renovates old dis
cased laden countries and plants
health and happiness, raises high the
banner of duty, righteousness, hon.
esty, honor, valor and loyalty to God,
country and friends.
There is a desire for growth that
urges us onward just as little seed
planted Dy a SIream.
1t lies in the seemingly motionless,
inert sail; There it terminates and
attracts the particles of soil to its
own composition and structure, until
1t reaches the tree stage, and as such
forms the source of streams alters
the climate of a locality, furnishes
nourishment to thousands. by its
fruits and shade. So does knowledge
planted in the human breast, grow
and germinate until the individual
too, can give health and life to the
world.
Ambition is the Silent Force" that
urges us on and on to greater know
ledge and usefulness.
Possibly, Michael Angelo reached
the height of his ambition in the
Last Judgment"
Milton in Paradise Lost" Gallileo
in the telescope, but the height of our
ambition has not been reached.
Our ambition has been satisfied
thus far, but we look ahead to the
noble work the world holds out to
us if we increase our knowledge.
The Silent Force" in YOU Gentle
men have made us loyal students of
the P. U. H. s., supporters of every
effort put forth by you for the ad-
vancement of this institution thereby
exhibiting to the world that we are
not asleep.
AS we, the class of 1922, look upon
the road Of life lying before us; we