The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-07-02
An Intellectual Day at Wittenburl
COLLEGE,.

A writer in the Springfield. Ohio, Demo-
crdt, of the 2Sth, having listened to the
Alumni Address before the faculty and stu
dents of that institution, delivered in the
Lutheran Church, by j. A. SHANK, Esq, n
graduate of the class of 1860, aud very
promising young lawyer now, was so high
ly interested with the discourse Of the
young orator that he felt impelled to eX-
press his admiration in print. We copy:
After few appropriate words by way OF
introduction, the speaker announced his
theme: IL was Government. Your cores
pondent does not propose to give a formal
outline of the train Of thought pursued. but
simply to advert to a few points IN the un-
folding of the speakers plan, which are
worthy of special note at this particular
period In our nations affairs. II was main
taned that In governments, and more cs-
pecially in Republics. the people are the
source of power. This fact implies solemn
responsibility on the part OF the individual
citizen. IL Is his duty to llt himself by
study, to canvas the acts of the men who
hold official relations, Ia approve what in
their conduct he belivcs 10 be right, and to
condemn what he believes 10 be wrong.
Any attempt, from whatever quarter, 10
restrain the citizen in the exercise of this
unquestionable right and duty, call il by
what milder name you please. Is tyranny (;
it Is oppression, and must be resisted. The
speaker said here, that the individ-
ual citizen, in the exercise of his
rights, would oftcn find himself In
the minority. The multitude, the populace,
are not always right. The acceptance Of "a
notion, or dogma by the crOt0d, does not
confer upon the notion or dogma the at
tribute of infallibility IL must not be per-
mtted 10 90 unquestioned because IL Is ad-
vOcated by the demagoguc and shouted by
the rabble. Error Is often popular. This
all history proves Truth Is often unpopu-
lar, but must be maintained nOtwithstand-
ing. The true man will not "follow null
titude 10 do evil" will not lose his indiyid-
uality in the crowd, will stand up for the
right against the world. The finest charae-
ters who have been transmitted TO MS In
the records of by gone ages are those who
have had the manhood TO stand up against
popular and triumphant wrong. In this
position the speaker fortified himself by an
array of illustriOus examples and In the
description which accompanied them be-
came truly eloquent. We felt like saying
Amen, more than dozen times.
In the progress OF his remarks the speak
er took occasion TO say that everyone must
earnestly endeayor to lill the sphere in
which Divine Providence has placed him
the lawyer, the jurist. the legislator the
diplomatist. nor was the clergy man forgot
ten. Let him. said the orator. be true 10
the specific mission which Is involved In
the commando do pfedch my Gospel" 1b
this also our heart said, Amen two ar three
times; but we saw some in the audience
who seemed to look hurt. There We're a
good many ministers present.
In fact, the address, throughout, was eN-
cellent, doing honor 10 the head and heart
Of the speaker, and rejecting credit upon
Wittenburg College, in which he was edu-
Gated. Your correspondent has no doubt
that had you been present, YOU would have
said that politically the address was emf
nently Deniocrdtic. IL was, too. IL was an
address for the times. Moreover, it seemed
providential. The Rev. MIR. Shafer, IN his
opening prayer, asked. ON behalfof the aiI-
dience, that the Divine Being might enable
the orator 70 utter the words OF truth and
sOberness. We think the PRAYER was an
swered. The Rev. who closed with an ap-
peal 10 the Throne of Grace prayed that
the wholesome truths which were uttered.
might, In the good providence Of l.od. he
embodied and aetualized VA our Govern
ment. We said Amen again. Finally.
President Sprecher took occasion, nj the
close of the exercises, IN connection with
other remarks, 10 characterize the address
as "eIceiieni." We said good for the Doc
tor; he Is Ia for Johnsofi's reconstruction
policy too. Az APrROVIkG lIEARKn.
QursrIoN.--Why n II Schwarz sells so
many goodsY Because he sells the incest
made up, keeps always ON hand large
stock Of custom made Clothing and more
especially sells with "A very small profit,
aud asks no two prices. at lis Main street,
sign Of the Golden Eagle.