The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-06-18
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY JUDGE
TT. WEST TO THE GRADUATING
CLASS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL

tho largest IN the history or the schoDl
and tho frat to be graduated in the
Handsome new high school building, had
the distinction Of being addressed by
Judge Thomas T. West, Of the Florida
Supreme Court. The journal, belleveing
that the graduates VIII wish 10 preserve
copy Of this address, requested the
privilege Of publishing Il. The address
in fun follows;
I wish TO express my appreciation OF
the Invitation which came to me from
your principal to have part IN this pro-
gram, the first commencement, UNDER
stand, 70 be held in this auditorium.
This splendid building must be a source
OF great satisfaction to the people of this
community. It Is an expression Of pub
10 opinion indicating that Escambia
County is at the beginning Of new era
in It's educational history. I congratu-
late the Board Of Trustees and officers
under whose administration this splen-
did achievement has been attained Il
Is a priceless contribution by all those
who were interested and active in the
movement to the economic, the social
and moral wealth OF the community.
~ Thomas Jefferson is said to have writ
ten his own apitaph Upon the unpre-
RAetNN
Of his mortal remains IS the following:
Thomas Jefferson, Author Of the
Declaration OF Independence, OF the
Statute of Virginia for Religious
Freedom, and Father of the Univer-
Nsity Of Virginia"
The Declaration OF Independence is the
charter Of the liberty OF the American
people, 1.-The Confession Of Faith Of Amer
tcRn Independence. The Statute OF Vir-
Zinia for Religious Freedom pointed the
way to the liberation Of the church from
state control and made religion a matter
OF mems own consciences. With these
achievements, their author ranked in inn
portance the founding OF an educational
institution. He had been Governor OF
Virginia. Secretary Of State in Presi-
dents cabinet, Minister representing this
republic at the court Of France. Presi-
dent OF the United States, but when the
time came to make an estimate Of his
lfe's work he put aside honors that had
been received by him and mentioned only
such accomplishments as were Of service
to humanity. According to his estimate
the things worth while In his life were
not honors that he had received but SER
vice that he had contributed.
conoratulatlon Of Glass
congratulate the members OF the
class upon your success. It is an
achievement IN which you necessarily
take some pride. You have reached sue
cessfully this mile post and have learned
by experience to take counsel of your
courage rather than your fears. There
have no doubt been periods of discour-
agement and times when the tasks
seemed difficult But imagine that
now since the twelve-year period of
your public school work IS hit an end
none OF you VIII regret the effort made.
You have kept the faith. and, so far as
this school IS concerned, you have fin
ished your course. II you have not yet
learned you win learn that most things
worth while require effort and patience
in their accomplishment,--that there are
few short cuts to real achievements
Some one asked Thomas A. Edison. 1t
Is said, II success was not largely a
matter OF inspiration. He replied. NO,
II Is largely a matter of perspiration."
Thers is a story OF a young man who
thought OF giving up his school work
TTe was impatient. The time required
IN preparation seemed to be too long
He explained his situation to one of his
professors, who replied that God HIM
self required 100 years, working through
the processes OF nature. to make an oak,
but only about 90 days 70 make pump
kin"
Hloh School Movement
The public high school movement Is Of
recent origin. It is In the nature Of an
innovation IN the educational system Of
this country In this state there was
no public high schools prior to 1908. less
~ ufa .
accredited high schools OF today. Legis-
lative sanction was given to the move
ment in the year 1903 In fact. the legis-
lation OF that year may be considered
the beginning of the movement, so far
as definite formal action is concerned.
In the session Of the legislature Of that
year Hon w. A. Blount, the senator from
this district, introduced IN the legisla-
ture bin authorizing the establishment
In each county OF a high school and
appropriRting public funds necessary to
assist In the maintenance Of one public
high school IN each county. In the school
year Of 1s04-05, that Is to say from June
1904 to June 1905, there were about 29
schools which were classed as high
schools. Now there are in the state more
than zoo high schools.
The number Of graduates from high
schools this year in Florida Is about 1880.
and this class Is a part Of the procession
4peonsisting Of $500 young people, the
product OF our high school system, going
out into the stream Of life to exert an
influence upon society and the social or
der in accordance with what they may
have received from this and similar in
situations OF the state. The poulation OF
Nee state Is approximately 1000, 600. III
there are a proportionate number Of high
school graduates In other states, from
100000. 900 population IN the United States
there should be approximately ESQ 900
high school graduates, About the same
number OF Immigrants come to this coun-
try annuRlly--in normal times a larger
number. They are not acquainted with
our theory Of government. our ideals and
raditioas--are allen In fact ana IN
thought. II our free institutions are TO
be preserved the duty devolves upon us
20 direct this tide OF new blood into