Show valedictory address by shorland evans I 1 this original address was delivered by shorland evans son of mr and mrs lack jack evans of this city at the commencement exercises held for the eighth grade graduates friday evening the heroic example of other days is in part the source of the courage of each generation men walk composedly to perilous situations beckoned on by the shadows of the courageous that have gone before the world owes much to its men and women of courage not necessarily physical courage that is also possessed by the lower animals ani cals but courage that displays itself in silent effort and endeavor that dares to endure all and suffer all for truth and duty this kind of hardihood is much more desirable si able than ihan physical valor which receives its rewards by honors and titles thit that ate are many times dyed in blood it is moral bravery that characterizes the highest order of manhood and womanhood the boldness to seek and speak the truth the courage to be honest to be just to do ones duty is a qua quality lity that is difficult it to ait attain ain butis but is well worth the striving unless e sa men and women possess this virtue they have no security in the preservation of any othir other every step of progress in the history of our world has been made in the face of opposition and difficulties this progress has been made by men and women of valor by leaders in the vain of thought by great discoverers by patriots and workers in all walks of life there is scarcely a great truth or doctrine but has to right its way to public recognition in the face of opposition and persecution socrates was condemned to death because his lofty teachings ran counter to the party spirit and purpose of his day he had the moral courage to brave not only the tyranny of the judges who condemned him but of the ignorant mob who could not understand him yet he be drank the fatal hemlock still maintaining his doctrine of life to be true think of the great men that have been persecuted in the name of religion bruno was burned to death at rome because he maintained the world moved galileo was hi his S suc cessor this great astronomer was pursued even after death and the pope refused a tomb for his body this has been the lot of many great philosophers they have been martyrs to the things they believed to be true every step forward in human knowledge has been established by the sacrifice of the great spirit of past times to whom the enlightened of the race now honor the intolerance that the common man has shown toward men of science in the past has taught us to be somewhat more tolerant than were our forefathers while such has been the courage of the martyrs of science not less courageous have been the martyrs of religion certainly the fortitude shown by him who will leave his home and friends and journey to a new and strange land in order that he be may worship god according to the dictates of his own conscience is equally admirable the crowning example of this type of courage is the lowly one of nazareth men alen of this type have exhibited habited character in its most heroic aspects and are certainly to be classed among the great of all times although success is the goal for which all men toil they must labor on without a glimmer of results for years this takes courage the great causes that have won have had to fight their way to recognition and their exponents have died long before the victory was won it requires much courage to be oneself and not the shadow of another it is the strong courageous man that leads the world while the weak and undisciplined man leaves no path to follow the heroic example of courage and the spirit of a strong man is an inspiration to succeeding generations courage coupled with energy and perseverance will overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable the courage that is needed in the world today is not the heroic kind it may be displayed in every day life as well as on the field of battle it takes courage just common courage to resist temptation to be honest to bespeak the truth to be what we really are to live within our means and not try to live on the means of others much of the sin and vice in the world today is due to the lack of courage men alen know what is right yet lack the bravery to do it the weak and undisciplined man is at the mercy of every temptation lie he does not know how to say NO he is thrown into bad company he sinks to its level because of tile the lack of resolution cn there is nothing attractive in timidity nothing lovable in fear courage is graceful and dignified there is but one vay may to look at fate whatever it be whether blessings or afflictions face them and behave with dignity renew the struggle again and again this is true courage |