Sarah E. Hines
1851
(Valedictory Speech)
(Presented by her son, Lott Warren)

1st

Respected Audience

When the polished multitudes of Greece gathered to behold the Olympic Games, no female form appeared among the competitors in those world renowned contests. Nor, was one of the gentler sex, to be found among the throng of eager bearers, who listened to the sublime thoughts, or drank in the divine wisdom of a Socrates or an Aristotle; a Plato or an Epicurus. Woman was undervalued and condemned was excluded from the acquisition of knowledge, and the competition for fame_ (sic) In modern years more enlightened nations entertain more exalted views of womans (sic) destiny, a loftier regard for her instruction yet even now, does the follower of Mahommed (sic) exclude the soulless sex, from the Paradise of the Prophet. Among the inhabitants of the "Celestial Empires," she who is now a pitied darling, - may become a rejected favorite, and even among the elegant nations of the Western Continent the frail daughters of humanity are but too often mere participants in drawing room frivolity. It is not even thus for we this day, behold much of the beauty talent (damage) chivalry of a noble state thronging (sic) to the ann(damage) {page 2}

2nd

fes(damage)an institution which has for its object the (damage)tion of our sex to a rank, equal to that of ou(damage)ted Fathers & Brothers. (sic)

If in the effort of individuals(damage) you have witnessed, many imperfections do not (damage)m them, make deductions unfavourable (sic) to the system(damage). In future, as now continue to assemble here, and to be the advocates for a sex which by the creator ordained the weaker most require your sympathy & charity. We offer you our warmest thanks for your presence, and attention today. We would now bespeak for our beloved Alma Mater, your kind consideration & care. With grateful acknowledgements for past kindness, and an honest wish for your future wellfare (sic) we bid you all a long, last fare well.

{page 3} Thus do the joyous hours of even a girlish existence of (damage)ing to the heart (sic) contentment and peace. The spirit unconscious of(damage) its present placid undisturbed felicity fastens the tendrils of its(damage) affection around the hopes to come and when there is (naught?)(damage) in the actual to disturb its tranquility pines for possession of the unreal and shadowy.*

3rd

Beloved Schoolmates

It is ever, (sic) the characteristic of erring self deluded human nations to look for happiness in the anticipated future. We hear schoolmates who after a training of preparatory years leave you today to step forth into the world before us and to commence amid other associations the Stern Struggle (sic) for victory in life's deep conflict, even we have experienced the delusive charm of hope- "We have felt the glow of sweet emotion with which the school girl lifts eye & heart from books and study to dream wild dreams of the future. Then there is no fear or doubt shadowing the dream, and sorrow lies like dregs in the bottom of a rich cup, all hidden, by the sparkling, ephemeral joy on the brim. We have longed, for this hour, have turned wearily away from the tame monotonous scenes of a school day existence, and thought with impatience of the hour, when the curtain should fall upon these scenes to rise again apon (sic) a Drama of new and thrilling interest. Is mere idle now, to discuss whether these anticipations are not as "baseless as the shadowy fabric of a dream." Soon will {page 5}

4th

the lessons of experience, determine for us a question which it is in vain to endeavour (sic) to decide by the disquisitions of reason. Whatever time has been wasted or opportunity neglected for gathering a golden harvest in by gone years has passed away forever; and now whether well equiped(sic), or but thirsty clad, we must go forth to the battle. But you are not yet summoned to the lists & if it befited (sic) my age, I could read you a lesson whose text would be the "lost and wasted past" Let me but say, be in your care to lighten the labours(sic) of your instructors by assiduity, and obedience. Cultivate your intellects, if you would be respected and esteemed, and your hearts if you would be loved - Do not forget that though the friendship & respect of your fellow men are worth a struggle, yet when compared to the vast fearful, interests of Eternity their value is light as the silver sand of some bright streamlets bed compared to the everlasting hills. Dear School mates in the world to which we hasten we shall often think of you in your cloistered seclusion perhaps with a shade of regret but always with the deepest interest & love. Farewell_ {page 6}

5th

Esteemed Trustees_

Is not today a proud era in your lives_ Ah yes_ It is the hour of victory, of triumph_ The victory & triumph of inestimable truth over prejudice & error. You now see the glorious result of an enterprise which at its origin was greeted with sneers and assailed with invective. It has survived these attacks and the weak child whose infancy you watched with paternal care now moves in grace & beauty. All owe to you a debt of gratitude, but its weight presses most heavily apon(sic) us who have been blessed by your efforts; who have rested beneath the branches of the tree which you have planted and from its fruit drawn sustenance and strength. Let us then in bidding you adieu return our thanks for those exertions without which we should not have enjoyed advantages now in the hour of departure feel to be inestimable. Accept honoured(sic) Sirs,_ our best wishes for your future well being and our sincere prayers that you may ever find more than a compensation, for your cares and labours(sic) in the proud consciousness of duty well preformed,_ and in the respect and and(sic) affection of the many young {page 7}

6th

and happy hearted maidens,_ who from time to time may leave this institution.

Dearest Classmates_

Since the thunder voice of Deborah pealed through Eden in the cruse which expelled from the bowers of paradise our erring ancestors our race has ever been subject to change. Every heart harks it-self in associations which the revolving cycle snaps asunder leaving only the fragments of spirits broken and bleeding. Such must be our fate. The apple of discord was thrown into the assembly even of the Gods and her voice is potential in almost every human connexion(sic) producing sorrow and woe._ But never has her hateful frown cowered apon(sic) our charmed circle In the world which we pass we shall form other & dear ties,_ but never dear classmates, shall we cherish feelings more pure, less selfish than those which now bind us to each other. It is not mine to offer you advcse by which to guide your steps through the wilderness of life. Well do I know that though Earths (sic) darkest tempest rage ever so fiercely its anger will never by (sic) spent apon(sic) your guileless heads. In the close communication of our good school girl life I have{page8}

7th

learned to know each heart within our narrow circle and I feel assured that they are all sheathed in the panoply of truth guarded by charity and love. And do you not now feel with me that you would gladly shrink back from the world and in martial & happy communion find innocence & peace. But it may not be. We have roamed through youths (sic) flower garden and today we must pass the boundary that divides it from the waste beyond,_ and go forth apon(sic) our pilgrimage of toil & care. Whatever may be our destiny we know it is in the hands of him who we know is all wise & all powerful_ Perchance the wans(sic) of time may bear us to varied & far distant shores. Some to where the orange and the citron perennially bloom. Some to where the bleak ice berge(sic) frowns in dreary coldness. Our lots may be cast beneath the the (sic) cerulian(sic?) blue sky of Italy or it may be where the rays of the sun shine like the beams from the North Star, ever bright and ever cheerless. But whatever be our fate let us receive it as the dispensation of Omniscient Mercy & secure in his guardianship bow to his unerring will_ But classmates let us not forget one another when the tones of my voice shall have died away & the last {page 9}

8th

fond farewell been spoken, and we go hence separate and lonely_ Yet sisters in affection, oh say will we not keep the treasured moments of past years embalmed in our memories, and the fire of early love burning ever brightly on the alter of our hearts continually feeding the flame with the fragrant incense of past remembrances_ Let the sound of the bitter mood we must now utter linger in our ears and hearts forever _ as the token of an affection eternal & undying. Classmates, Friends, Sisters With a heart crushed beneath the anguish of our separation, I entreat you that you will not forget me_ and if we may not meet again I bid you a long fond farewell. In that land of celestial beauty where no adieus are ever spoken may we all be reunited a happy purified band of sisters to mingle in the unfading glories of an heavenly clime.

"May Gods angels guard you may Gods angels guide
Gods smile light your future, whatever may betide" {page 10}

9th

Honoured(sic) Teachers

The parting hour which in the bitter drop in todays (sic) otherwise joyous cup- has come- With feelings such as "press the life from out young heart(s),"** and painful sighs that may not be repressed - we must subdue our grief & speak that mournful word_ Farewell_ Beloved instructors how can we give you up? it may be for months, for years, it may be forever_ Have you not ever been to us all we could wish? Instructors, friends, & Fathers with tenderness & love you have watched over us for years_ With trembling anxiety, you have seen our minds expand, from the first germ of infant thought_ daily unfolding leaf after leaf, petal after petal to receive the genial ray of intelligence or the refreshing dew of instruction Nor while careful to minister proper food to the growing appetite of our minds, have you failed to offer that purer noble sustenance to the soul which would facilitate the expansion of its God like powers here_ & bring them to a rich maturity ripe for the equipment of immortality_ For oh how earnestly, how persuasively have you invited us,_ while yet we were young & happy while yet the song of the Syren(sic) Hope fell apon(sic) {page 11}

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our hearts in notes of ineffable sweetness, while yet to us life was pictured in all the rosate(sic) hues of youthful imagery, to prepare for the dark storm cloud that will hover over us_ for the angry surges that will dash & roar, around our barques(sic). Forgive us_ Dearest Teachers_ that we have ever turned away from you with the flush of discontent apon(sic) our brow_ or the cold smile of indifference apon(sic) our lips. Although in our passionate wayward moments we have listened with heedless ear to your words of wisdom_ or rejected with sullen pride your mild rebuke. Yet now in this sad hour of departure and separation we implore you for forgiveness for these follies_ and entreat that you will think of us only as those who have long been the objects of your tenderest love_ and who now go forth from the protection of your love encircling arms_ to enter on the arena of the untried world_ And now with hearts over flowing with love we invoke the choiset(sic) benisons of heaven apon(sic) you. May Providence smile apon(sic) your future lifes(sic) and may God in his mercy answer the many gushing prayers That will be offered before his shrine for you & yours. May you be spared to resume & continue for many {page 12}

11th

years your delightful labours(sic) here in training minds for the world & souls for eternity. Alas that the world should be spoken farewell_ But beloved President when these your colleagues reassemble to their united tasks they will find your place the duties of which you have long, so well so skillfully performed filled by another Oh that you may spend the evening of your life in calm retirement, happy in the approbation of a conscience void of offence toward God & man blest with the respect esteem & love of all. We will not say remember us for though you may withdraw from the scene of your active labours(sic) we know that you will think of us in love & prayer. And you will never be forgotten_ By the many whose hearts & hands you have united at the marriage alter, by the bereaved and stricken mourner to whome(sic) you have whispered words of sweet consolation, by the anxious enquirer for salvation to whome(sic) you have revealed the rich promises of gospel_ by the many young & happy heart who have shared your counsel and love, by this sorrowing band the last whose pliant minds your practiced hand shall help, to mould for Earth & Heaven, by each & all of these will you be ever truly loved_ {page 13}

(damage) ere we part we breath(sic) a prayer that (damage) light of Heaven we may behold thy face (damage)ove. May we all meet again in the mansions (damage)est & there may every voice blend in celes-(damage)ar many as in heavens own ministrilsy(sic) (damage)te in singing anthems before the throne (damage) eternal God_ Our friend_ our Father (damage) thee well_ Classmates, Sisters friends (damage)tructors_ my task is finished, my errand done_ To one & all of you_ farewell_ my acheing (sic) heart can do no more than to wish to each of you the best blessings Heaven can confer & my lips breath (sic) to each of you_a last_ lingering fond farewell_

Notes:
*This paragraph written in different hand.
**From Waterloo by Lord Byron

8: Communication Artifact

1851

1851

COMP5