CHAPTER XXXIX.

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GRADUATION EXERCISES.

N the 23d of June, 1880, the public schools of

Charles City were closed for the summer vacation. Six young ladies, who had completed the course of study in the high school, graduated at this time. The following report of the closing exercises is taken from the Intelligencer:

Long before the hour for the exercises to begin. a large crowd had assembled in and about the Baptist Church, and every seat in the large building was filled. Many were compelled to leave, being unable to gain admission. The exercises opened with music by a quartette of singers, Miss Howard at the organ. This, as well as the rest of the music of the evening was fine, and very pleasing to the audience. After prayer by Rev. Dr. Clute of the Congregational church, and a duet. came the first essay, "I know and I don't know," by Miriam Bumgardner. We do not propose to take up individual essays, and praise them at the expense of others. All were good, showing careful school training, earnest thought, and fine command of language.

Prof. Yocum, the principal, has reason to be proud of his class of 1880. The other essays were. Man," by Minnie V. Patterson; Cobwebs." by Estelle L. Balch; Imagination." by Mildred I. Park; "When my ship comes in," by Rosa M. Patterson: Inclined Planes" and Valedictory, by Belle C. Judd.

After singing the class song, Prof. Yocum, addressing the School Board, stated that the candidates for graduation had completed their course of study, had passed a satisfactory examination, and should now receive the customary diplomas.

Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth, President of the Board of Directors, in presenting the diplomas, spoke as follows:

Students of the Graduating Class: The pleasant duty devolves upon me, in behalf of the Directors, in behalf of your teachers, and in behalf of your relatives and friends, to congratulate you upon your very successful completion of the course of study of our public schools. The close application. the industry, the energy, the perseverance and thoroughness, which you have manifested, are indeed commendable.

It is to be lamented that so many of your fellow students, who began the course of study when you did, should fail to complete the course. This lack of thoroughness is the bane of the American people. We are too unstable, too superficial, in our undertakings. This criticism is applicable to men and women in all the avocations of life; to the farmer, the mechanic, the professional man, the school-teacher and others. They are unwilling to give the time and make the application necessary to acquire that thorough knowledge of their business which shall command success.

When the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth, the first business that engaged their attention was the founding of schools and churches; a provision for the moral, religious and mental training of the young being considered of paramount importance. When oppression came from the mother country a spirit of revolution was engendered, and those revolutionary fathers planted with their hands and watered with their blood that tree of liberty beneath whose blissful shades we can bask at the present day.

But in those early days a colony of a different

character was located at Jamestown. Many of its members were dissolute young men from the city of London; high-born, proud, imperious, haughty, and domineering. Scorning labor, and fondly believing that they were born to rule, they eagerly purchased the first cargo of slaves that were landed upon their shores. Churches and schools with them were of secondary consideration.

Mason & Dixon's line separated these two civilzations, and

"Westward the course of empire took its way."

For more than two hundred years the peculiar influences of these two colonies were seen and felt as they progressed in their onward march toward the setting sun. Finally they came in collision on the plains of Kansas, and, as we all know, the power of the schools and churches, and free labor, triumphed over slavery and its barbarisms.

Thus will it ever be. An educated, intelligent, industrious, moral and religious people cannot be enslaved nor will they tolerate slavery in their midst.

The perpetuity of our free institutions depends upon the intelligence and virtue of the people. The citizens of Iowa, knowing this, cheerfully tax themselves for the support of free schools. If they do not do this, they know that they will be doubly taxed for the punishment of crime; the payment of courts, attorneys, witnesses and juries; the support of paupers and almshouses, criminals and prisons. With proper education the citizen. is self-sustaining, useful and valuable. With ignorance and idleness he is liable to become a vagabond and a criminal.

My young friends you are about to go out into the world. Its beauties, its attractions, its enjoyments and pleasures are all before you. Your mental, moral and religious culture will enable you to partake of them in wisdom and moderation. Should adversity come, as it may come upon us

all, you will be prepared to meet it with fortitude and resignation.

I can add in behalf of the Board of Directors, your teachers, friends and acquaintances, that our best wishes will attend you. In proof of this I present you these diplomas. Take them, cherish them, as the evidence of what you have achieved, and on suitable occasions exhibit them for the gratification of your friends.

The exercises closed with Stars of Descending Night," sung by the quartette first named.

CHAPTER XL.

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COMMENCEMENT, AGAIN.

N June 17th, 1881, the graduating class of the Charles City High School consisted of fifteen students, ten young ladies and five young gentlemen, the largest number ever graduated from the school at any one time. The exercises were held in the Baptist church, which was beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens. Long before the hour set for the opening the house was crowded with an intelligent and interested audience, and hundreds were unable to gain admission. The orations and essays, by the graduates, were far above the average on such occasions. All acquitted themselves creditably, and their friends had good reason to be proud of them. The music on the occasion was appropriate aud excellent. The proceedings were fully reported for the Intelligencer by Col. E. B. Dyke, the editor, and from that paper is quoted the following:

The student always looks forward to commencement day with mingled feelings of pleasure and pain; pleasure, that he is about to put the golden clasp on another volume of life's history; pain, that dear ties are soon to be sundered and joyous associations become things of the past. He is