Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

Page 8 text:

6 THE N.4ss.4 U HERALD. man has acted in his independent capacity. Qualities such as these are ever in demand. May they be' used to perpetuate the free institutions of this continental country. For this, not only are Virtue, intelligence and economy essential, as the base of indi- vidual and national independence, but there must be in addition an innate love for self'-government, the blessings it confers, and a courage coolly to meet the extremists who from time to time assail the nation's integrity or the people's rights. Elevate poli- tics from a business to. the highest duty of -American citizenship. Sustain your country. with a generous, patriotism, and, ever main- taining right vigorously, as has been your wont, whatyou believe to be the truth, do your part- in the glorious progress of repub- lican government towards its ultimate perfection. This is our parting scene. To share its pleasures and solace its sorrow once again, you are welcomed here. And when towards the end you 'note the 'grasping hand, the kindling eye, know that there is beneath more than on the surface. shows. 1 .

Page 7 text:

SALUTATORY ADDRESS. S BY BLAIR LEE, MD. . --o-- LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :-It-is a pleasant duty to welcome you to Princeton, and to these exercises. One phase of our stu- 'dent-life-the study side, the real object of our being here-is celebrated on Commencement Day. On Class Day another, the social, human side, has its occasion. , As our feeling for one another, which intensifies as separation comes, has all along been a Spontaneous growth, rising from sympathy and increased by merit, so has this day, without, restriction and from time past memory, been placed by an indulgent Faculty at the disposal of -each class. At last our day has come, in which the pleasantries -of college life must have their climax. May you enjoy them too. Right glad are we to see you here, right sad are we to part. For four years college has been our world 3 a mere rehear- .sal of life, perhaps, but in the Spring-time of it, when the heart is tender and feels witha more generous impulse than it may thereafter have. This separation is to many the first of the marked changes all .are subject to in real life. Its sadness is only lessened by the hope, that from its beginning here our interest in one another may continue always, and by mutual acts of kindness every man -of us may learn to know, that in each classmate he has a true, enduring friend. ' Where resolution, honesty and intelligence are needed, the Class of '80 hopes to do its life-work. May their power be as -efficient there as it has been simple and unostentatious here. Uncontrolled through all this time by any set or clique, each 1

Page 9 text:

QITIE NASSA U HERALD. 7 Cnass QRATION. , BY IRVING P. WITHINGTON OF NEW JERSEY. ' LADIES AND GENTLEMENA:-Concerning our class, to Whom I am about to say a ffew parting words, there has been as much said as would suffice for a long course of lectures, and as much written as would almostfurnish a library. .Where is thetongue and ,Where the pen which has not been swift to' discuss her future ? iWe are 'too near to read her destiny' clearly and impartially--to praise 'or criticise. A class, to be accurately judged, must be looked at through the haze of years, when college life is a thing of the past 3 when the excitement of a Class Dayhas subsided, and when the world has tried uswith its fire., To-day another class comes together as a, class for the last time, and 'from a full heart bids farewell to her college daysedays so free from all re- sponsibility , so pleasantly, and, perchance, profitably passed. The last recitation-room has been left, the last examiner has gone his Way. Yet what need to look behind, and to sigh ? f We have yet a few songs to singatogether, and a little jollity. CLASSMATES :-In bidding you farewell, your classmate appre- ciates the responsibility you have so kindly imposed upon him. He has not selected any grand theme as has at times been custom- ary, neither has he prepared la polished and learned oration. But if, by anything that may be found' here, there may be awakened in the hearts of any one an impulse that maynot be a transient one, but a lasting and useful guide when we have left these scenes of pleasantness, and through us may direct others, he shall feel doubly repaid. ' i . We need not say farewell to-day, and yet the hour of parting is so near wefeel the straining of the chain that soon must break. x