10
THE BATTALION.
arduous ones of citizenship. What we shall accomplish,will
remain to be seen, but we have an education and ever} 7 rea
son to hope for a bright future.
Education is that foundation, upon which the life struct
ure must be built in order to withstand the onslaughts of a
business world. This institution is advancing with a steady
tread, lo the foremost ranks of similar organizations of our
country. Its graduates are now filling important places in
the arena of life. Could the curtains which hide the future
from our view be drawn aside, one would see floating upon
the balmy southern breeze an ensign of our nation; among
its collection of glittering stars, one more brilliant than all
the rest, an emblem of Texas the empire state. Among the
leaders of this great common wealth, the worthy sons of this
institution would stand foremost.
We as a class have labored long and hard for the honor
we are about to receive. And during our stay here there are
some things which have become so dear to us as to live for
ever in our memories. This occasion is one to call forth joy
and yet we cannot refrain from a feeling of sadness, at the
thought that we must break all social ties which four years of
college life could not fail to bring.
Gentlemen of the board, you to whom this institution
looks for care and guidance, although we have not had an in
timate acquaintance with you, we realize the supreme wisdom
of your policy in governing and the motives which actuate
you when you assume control of our institution, and express
as a parting hope, that no graduate, shall ever tarnish the
fair name of this college which you are trying to upbuild.
Honored president, it is to you we have gone in our
darkest hours of trouble; when we might have given up in
discouragement had it not been for your encouraging advice.
We have not forgotten that only a few months ago you were
offered, and refused a position probably more pleasant. It
is not the nature of a Texas boy to forget an action of this
kind, and though you may never have a monument of marble