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IH'ERARY.
Valedictory Address.
W. A. HARRISON, ’98.
UNE, with its accompaniment of flowers and sunshine, is
the graduating time of spring into summer; the ripening
of the youth of the year into more perfect maturity. During
this month, on such platforms as this, there will stand thous
ands of people to receive diplomas which will he symbols of past
work well done and a stimulus to future efforts. And so we,
today, not unlike our compeers in other parts of the land, have
gathered here for the purpose of receiving our diplomas and
celebrating an occasion which, to some of us, may be the most
auspicious in our lives; and I feel deeply honored in having
been delegated to express the sentiments of my class on this
momentous occasion.
We feel the inspiration of the hour, and no wonder, when
surrounded by such an assemblage of beauty and chivalry as I
see gathered before me. I behold those who have pursued
life’s rugged path to such an extent that they can now look
down from their superior height of wisdom and experience and
lend advice to us, young and untried, as will guide our steps in
honorable paths during our future lives. It is with pleasure
that I see so many of those present who, not so many years ago
stood upon this same rostrum and received their diplomas just
as we do today and who now give their presence and encour-
ment and celebrate with us, this, our commencement. But the
day and occasion would be far from complete were it not for
the ladies whos gracious presence and inspiring smiles have
ever been man’s best incentive to success.