The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1940-06-06

Largest Audience In
History AT Commencement,
Continued from Page One)
bined to make us into useful
citizens of this glorious land. His
talk was interesting, interspersed
with humor and dramatics, and he
held his audience spellbound. His
explanation Of why Am Alive,
and his analysis of work, play, love
and worship were a revelation to
the large audience and class mem
bers.
Supt. Kohl, in presenting the
class, said that they had gained
two things through education: LIST,
to build habits of attacking all
problems in logical manner, and,
End, resourcefulness; know where,
when and how to find it. He
complimented the members of the
class and as an admonition stated
that Character is still the high
est priced thing on the American
Market"
The full text of the Salutatory
and Valedictory addresses are as
follows:
Salutatory Address
Parents and friends, members of
the school board, superintendent
and faculty.
History indicates that for each
generation there is a crisis. Mod
ern history seems to indicate that
with recent generations each has
endeavored to exhibit it's crisis in
the most powerful and startling
way-their medium being gigant-
ic world war.
It seems that our generation is
headed toward that same cursed
crisis. Indications point that as
the last generation Saved the
world for democracy" and gave
their lives lin the last war that
would be fought by mankind" we
shall likewise save the world from
totalitarnism, nationalism, facism
and communism.
But, our class that graduates to-
night, which we feel is on an av-
erage with any high school gradu-
ating class of 1910, is more optim-
istic than pessimistic. We feel that
we are qualified and have the right
to believe that the fate of our gen.
Grafton is in our own hands.
In a few short years when this
formal educational career has been
replaced by actual participation in
citizenship, we shall put into prac-
tice ideals which we have formu-
lated in the school, at home, in
the church and in all our relation
ships. Ideals which are simply the
understanding of the difference be-
tween right and wrong.
AS a people and a nation we are
tenn in itself is a practical example
of this program. Note worthy of
that same progress is the fact we
are a neutral nation when half the
world is dead-locked in war.
It has been our duty as students
and shall be even more our duty
as citizens to investigate our cur
rent problems whether they be
social, economic, political or relig-
ious. In the study of these prob
lens we find that we are making
great Roadway in developing bet
ter emotional balance, that we are
learning to read the newspaper,
that we analyze news and decipher
propaganda.
Some will say that tonight our
educational career is complete, with
the exception of those students who
will go on to college. But it is
not. Whether we receive a high
school diploma or the highest de-
gree from any university of our
land, we must not cease to educate
ourselves; to educate ourselves in
the principles of right and wrong,
that from the crisis of our genera
! ton, we and those who follow us
might not be bowed down by the
self-made burdens of war.
I believe that all the aims and
ideals of our class and our genera
ton can be summed up in these
final words of G.. Ashton Oldham:
America first.
Not merely in matters material, but
in things of the spirit.
Not merely in science, inventions,
rights, motors and skyscrapers,
but also in ideals, principles, and
character.
Not merely in the calm assertion
of rights, but in the glad assum-
ption of duties.
Not Haunting her strength as a
giant, but in bending in help
fulness over a sick and wounded
world like a good Samaritan.
Not in splendid isolation, but in
Christlike cooperation.
Not In pride, arrogance, and dis
dain Of other races, and peoples,
but in sympathy, love and under
standing.
Not in treading the old worn,
bloody pathway, but in blazing a
new trail, where, please God, war
shall be no more.
Some day some nation must take
that path-and that honor I covet
for my beloved America.
And so in that spirit and with these
hopes I say with all my heart
and soul, America First"