Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

Page 12 text:

QHE NASSA U IIERA LD. 7 'Glass Oratinn. GEORGE LORD DAY, NEW YORK. CLASSMATES 1-There is a deep significance in the word class, if one could but grasp it. It appears in the words class-feeling, classfwork, class-associations. These words are founded upon a deep principle in our nature, that principle which causes man to look to fellow-man for help in time of difficulty, and for counsel in time of perplexity. To us young students, who are simply waiting for the final ceremonies before bidding a last farewell to the place which has known us so long, the word Class-Day is full of meaning. It speaks of class-memories, of four years which have glided by very happily, of friendships which have grown very dear. It tells us that we are a class, a band of men who have labored together, have had common aspirations, and have feared common evils. It tells us that to-day is our day, a day sacred in our memories' to the class of which we have been members. To-day, feelings of friendship and fellowship should be unrestrainedg to-day all animosities should be laid aside. Let us, before we part, realize, for one short day, how much is implied in the relation of classmates. It is my hope that the Class Oration may accomplish two things: that it may revive a few thoughts of the past, and may suggest a few thoughts of the future. I should be false to my convictions, if I should attempt to pursuade you or myself that to all of us the thought of leav- ing our Alma Mater is -a painful one. I should be equally 5.

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6 TIIE NASSAU HERALD. To you, dear friends, Without Whose ,presence our Class Day would be incomplete, we extend a hearty Welcome. To you We look for sympathy and encouragement in these the last scenes of our College course, and for you We hope the day will be one of uninterrupted pleasure. Our occupation here has been essentially one of prepara- tion, and the time has novv come for this preparation to be put to the test. We all have sins of omission to repent, and many feel that they might have reaped greater profit from their op- portunities, but noneof us will ever regret the training We have here received. Faithful perseverance and earnest work are factors which help largely to form the basis of all success. These qualities We have been trying to acquire, and Whatever they can accomplish, this the Class of '82 hopes to achieve, and 'where they are needed, there to per- form their work. i ' Again, in the name of the graduating class, I Welcome you to the exercises of our Glass Day.

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8 THE NASSAU IIERALD. false if I should hint that our love for one another and for the institution of which we are soolii to be graduates, is so strong as to blind us to all defects. I should be but a poor exponent of the sentiments which crowd into our hearts to- day, if I should connne your thoughts to thepast, with all its painful and pleasant memories. Iiet us acknowledge that We are glad that the preparatory steps in our lives have been taken. Let us admit that neither Old Nassau, our class- mates, nor ourselves, are what we might wish them. Let us realize that the future is vastly more important than the past. We shall thus be saved from maudlin sentimentalism, While We open our hearts to all manly emotions. And liow varied 'are these emotions which crowd upon us! what a strange mixture of pleasure and regret do they occasion. It is pleasant to remember long spring evenings spent beneath the elms of the campus, to tune our ears once more to the old college songs, to live over in memory, those bursts of wild enthusiasm with Which we have welcomed college victories. What can be a source of truer pleasure than the memory of our friendships? Yet, as we look over the past, many of us are filled with regret that We did not realize, until the time of departure and of parting was at hand, how much nobility, how large capacities for true friendship, existed in the breasts of our classmates. Many of us, in the early years of our course, formed acquaintances, pleasant acquaintances, but wanting the marks of friendship. It was not until near the end that We discovered the real sympathy, the com- munity of tastes and aims which binds us together. And this We have realized only in time to make it all the harder to say farewell. Four years is a short time in which to find all the good that there is in a friend. Yet, short as some of our friendships have been, how very pleasant have they proved? A college friendship is one of the closest ties which can bind men together. What can draw men into closer sympathy than to lay in common their plans for the future, in common to build their air-castles, in common to pass through those gray mists of despondency which settle