Year: 1869

upon the people, and their motions both physical
and mental were confined in narrow limits Aided
to these despotio laws was the certainty that none
could rise above the position In which they were
born. The great and grand right OF eleVating hlm-
self above the mass OF the people was not granted
to the Peruvian II he was born abject, so he must
remain and the poor slave, toiling on from day 70
day worked out his allotted task on earth, and then
departed TO the land where the weary are at rest
dal side OF the picture. II the laws OF Peru seem
overDearing in these respects there are many other
circumstances which show II TO have been one o.
the worlds history. II man could become
aruent, none at least could be reduced TO poverty
The arm of the law was stretched out to save the
feeble and helpless Free from vice, occupied with
out being overtasked, protected from poverty and
wretchedness, each man lived happy and cOntented,
an d died oyal to government so truly patriarchal
Thus when we contemplate the admirable adapta-
tiOn of the means to the end, when we consider the
manner in which the welfare OF the inhabitants was
cared for and when we see how the people nourshed
and prospered under this rule, the whole system
cannot but elicit our most sincere and earnest adm-
ration.


mestic tranquility came the Spaniard. Armed with
weapons that awed the superstitlous natives into
submission he set his iron heel upon the ground
henceforth to call him MASTER Battle succeeded
battle followed massacre, and as the poor
Impoverished, scattered bands clustered upon tine
SUBMITS of their beloved hills-their last refuge
they saw their greatness dying away, their Govern
ment crumbling into dust, and their country theirs
longer. And as the golden sun set in the distant
heavens, illuminating for few short moments the
hoary heads of the Sierra and creeping in and out
its little cracks and ssures freluctant to abandon
his children in this the hour of their need he inn
printed a last, farewell, lingering kiss upon the
barren peaks, and he gone and all was shrouded
The glory Of the children Of the sun had departed
forever.


Mr.. Stewardson then proceeded to deliver the
different valedictory addresses, speaking as fol-
lows:-


Gentlemen OF the Board OF Control The fifty
fourth graduating class Of the Central High School
of Philadelphia present themselves here to-day to
offer their last farewell. The separation which is
about TO take place occurs semi-annuay with you,
but with it Is the longeXpected, earnestly looked
for and at last realized hope that sheds joy and
happiness around our path and makes each heart
bound with feeling Of untold delight


am but too conscious OF the difference between
your feelings and ours, and would therefore spare
you the honeyed words which fall upon your ears
often. But would be remiss in my duty vale
dctOran did not state in the deepest and strongest
terms our sincere appreciation OF your numerous
klndnesses and well-meant actions. Many OF these
actions have we condemned, believing ourselves to
be the wiser, but gentlemen, we would add that we
have lived to folly, and to repent Of it. Alte
ratons which at first seemed harsh and incapable of
good have been productive OF the most beneficial
effects, and have shown most concusively your ehi-
cheney Tor the post you hold and our utter ncapacity
to Judge Of your abilities. We would then, in con-
cnsion, render You warmest thanks, hoping that
God will prosper you In your undertakings and bring
you to everlasting life.


Gentlemen OF the Facuty:-It is with truly deep
emotions that am here to-day. My struggling feel
ings, which surge and battle for ascendancy, are
replete with pride, yet mingled with regret. How
then shall proceed? Shall state in a concise and
succnct manner our obligations and our gratitude,
or shall make summary of our denquencies, and,
in the cold unfeeling spirit, ask your forgive
ness? No. 1 will do neither; / will allow my i'm
pulses full play, and give utterance to those words
which my class re-echs, and which hope will sink
into the hearts of our instructors.


For four long years have we labored together.
Shoulder to shoulder have we been whrled along by
swiftfo0ted Time, and have left Impressions upon his
revolving circle-impressions never to be e1aced
until that great day when and you shall stand for
final judgment. Shall, then, those who have been so
long and 80 closely connected separate without
pang? Shall they part with petty wrongs ranking
in their breasts and strong determinations to with
hold forgiveness No. If there are any wounds let
regret the relationships in which have Stood and
the many hours we have passed In company. Gen
tlemen of the Faculty, my time Is limited but before
] close would beg the great boon, remembrance"
For although many classes have occupied situa-
tOns before, and many may do so hereafter, permit
the recollection of those who stand here to-day never
to fade but always to be pure and fresh With this
assurance cannot help but go forward with vigor
and earnestness, and ever to look back upon our
college days with tenderness and love- Finally then
gentlemen, with many thanks for your patience and
kind instruction, with many regrets for our own
follies and with hopes that all will be forgiven we
commit you to an all-wise and all just Providence


Whose ways are ways of peasantness,


And all His paths are peace"


Classmates, the time has at last arrived when
endearing ties must part. The cords of fellowship
must be snapped, and each frail bark, with its
equally frai lie, be set adrift upon the raging ere
ments-alone.


When we look into the dim yet bright future, the





nesses, the future which is to shape our ends how
we long to plunge into its unknown depths and ter
inmate our dOubtsi All, nay classmates! need warn
you OF the quagmires, the quicksands that will en-
compass you? Need enumerate the trials to which
you will be subjected, the foes by whom you will be
see but the golden streaks OF sunlight and take
heed OF the dark shadows cast across your path.
What then can say to characters hopeful to dis
positions so uncomfortable? i would but remind
you:-


"'Tis not the whole of life to live,


Nor all of death to die"


Man is a but tiny thing dropped into the watery
waste OF life, and Though his advent may occasion
some slight disturbances, some partial rippes yet
the circles, widening and widening, soon reach the
banks, and all is calm and placid as before. Thus
would | demonstrate how brief, how transient are
all earthly things for although may agitate the
surface for little space the time is not far distant
when others shall succeed him and he shall be for
gotten. Shall we, then, rivet our minds so closely
upon the earth, or shall we try TO so improve our
classmates whatever events beIal yOu whether they
be successes, whether they be disappointments,
pray you to stand firm upon the rock Of recttude.
But do 1t not in your own strength, rely not on your
single arm. Place your trust and confidence in q
higher power, without whose aid the efforts OF man
no shocks weaken you. Conquer each and every
obstacle that confronts you until at last your spirit
bursting the bars OF its prison, may sing with the
PERI


Farewell, ye odors Of earth, that die,


Passing away like a lovers sigh;


My feast is now of the Tooba tree,


Whose scent is the breath of eternity.


Farewell, ye vanishing flowers, that fade


In my fairy wreath so bright and brief


IN IN Nv what at are % the brightest that eyer we're made


whose flowers have a soul in every leaf


Joy, joy forever my task is done