The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-06-15

liam II. Malone at the graduating
exercises of the High School held
at Bayview Park on Friday eve-
ming of last week:
~ congratulate you on this oc-
easion. 1t is called the class
commencement, but it is entirely
dependent on you whether it is
a commencement or whether it
shall be an ending. You have ac-
auirsd the foundation of scholas-
tic education. You have learned
to study. you have been taught
the sources of information. The
key TO the temple of knowledge
has been delivered to you. You
may enter, take possession and ex-
ercise the right of mastery. You
can be the priesthood of that
boundless temple of knowledge.
You can command poets to sing
TO you, seers to advise you, phil
osophers to counsel you, scien-
lists to teach you and kings and
rulers to protect you. If you ex-
ercise the privileges you now
have, this night will indeed be a
commencement. Your future will
have untold possibilities. Your
field of activities and accomplish
ments will be limitless. If you do
not exercise your privileges, if
you do not build on the founda-
ton which has been laid during
the past school years, then this
night should be marked the end
ing.
1t will be of no particular
benefit to you or anyone else, ex-
eept pleasant memories. You will
take your place among the great
army Of drawers OF water and
hewers of wood.
Future Advancement
"Some Of you may have the OPP
portunity Of entering higher in
stitutions of learning, of going to
college; some may pursue a tech
nical education in special academ-
les, and while these may be highly
advantageous, they are not nee
essary to your future advance
ment. There is no power in the
world that can close the book of
knowledge to you. Your adj
vaneement, your attaining the
highest pinnacle of wisdom, the
mastery of all scientific myster-
les, depend entirely upon your
selves. Napoleon never entered
a college, yet he was the military
genius of the age, and forced
monarchs to bow their knee be-
fore him. John Marshall. the
great exponent of the American
Constitution, attained his legal
knowledge on his Virginia planta-
ton. Thomas Edison, the great
wizard of electricity received his
inspiration while operating tele-
graph ticker, and chained the cleo
tFical forces of nature while
struggling within his own labora-
tories. ID. l.. Moody. the great
est evangelist of modern times,
mastered his simple theology be-
hing a drygoods counter.
''With the foundations which
have been laid in training and cd
ucation, I am sure you will con-
tinue, that you will 60 forward,
that you will build superstruc-
ture on that foundation which
will be a credit to yourselves and
will reward your parents and
teachers for the efforts and sac
rifices they have made for you.
Regarding Knowledge
what will that superstructure
be? What will you do with your
opportunity? Acquiring of adj
ditional knowledge in itself will
not be productive of lasting bene-
fit, If the knowledge be for self
ish ends. st. Paul said, Though
/ speak with the tongues of men
and angels, and though | possess
all knowledge. and have not
charity, j am become a sounding
brass or a tinklinR cymbal.'
Education does not consist Of
satisfied curiosity or n mere know
ledge of the phenomena OF life.
The knowledgeable person is the
bore of society. Thomas Carlyle
was one of the most intellectual
men of his generation. He was
q mental giant, yet he was so UNI
kind, so inconsiderate, so selfish.
that even his wife lived life of
terror with him, and after her
death, Carlyle spent his declining
years in remorse and regret. He
was not educated; he was nothing
but a highly trained animal. He
may have thrilled a few intelleets.
but he left a legion of aching
hearts.
Bernard Shaw, no doubt, has
a knowledge Of books, but his
works consist of destructive ridi-
Guile; Meneken can write. and per-
haps earn money, but he accom-
plishes nothing but cruel and I'M
wise criticism. These men are
not properly educated, Edura-
ton consists of a trained charae-
Ann rnnnInA M -. ...ls.hA....a