24
THE BATTALION
the sentiments of their hearts and mine. Some happy spirit
seems to linger so near us on such occasions as this. The
very sound of Commencement Day falls upon our ears like a
beautiful song itself. To the little child of public school and
the thoughtful young man in his college career, alike, it
means a time when joy and gladness, advancement and op
portunities come to all.
As we look into each other’s faces here this morning, our
thoughts run out even beyond our home college and its class.
From the hrst to the fifteenth of June, 1896, in the South
alone there will be a thousand happy Commencement Days! !
A whole host of Seniors will leave their name and place, their
duties aud blessing to junior brothers, and with a fond fare
well enter the world and its possibilities. Does not this mean
something for our country? Seniors—you cannot be too
grateful and proud for this day.
Four years ago some two hundred boys entered the
Freshman class of this college, we might say with equal hopes
and opportunities. Where are they now? Test after test has
fallen them out. Sieve after sieve has sifted them down
’till when at last the race draws to a close 011I3’' you—twenty-
four heroes—are left to receive in triumph the good things of
your Graduating Day.
Your presence here speaks more of credit perhaps than
3 t ou think. You have won a great battle. A successful pas
sage through college life is a feat not done by fool or coward-
That young man who passes it clear and unsinged has already
written the preface to a hopeful life, and left a telling prophe
cy of future usefulness.
We trust that as you end your long sojourn in these
temples of learning, no hated ghost of mispent time, undis
charged duties or unapplied talents comes up to mar the
peace of your consciences. Four years of your life has been
used for honor or for shame.
Prepared or unprepared, efficient or inefficient, you have
by attending for so long a period, a great industrial school,
p aeed yourself in a pt sition where much will be expected.