The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-08-29
9ansing State Republican.

M-cHIIAN FEEALg C0LLEGE-Th follow
.ag j. portion OF the Baccalaureate Ad-
dress Of Mss 4. C. Rogers. delivered - the
+ Commenceuent Exercises Of the Michigan
Female College on the 18th OF June last.
and published By request OF many friends Of
education, and os the College il Lansing.
aad elsewhere.
II Tie earliest stages O. human progress.
men. Ike children. feel keenly and contend
.ierceiY about trihes, but usually about
triies which concern only their materia.
/ possessions As they advance 10 ciyiliza-
ton, 'SeQS begin 10 assume q greater de-
gree OF relative Importance, bat il is only
when mind, through long ages Of progress
and development, has fully asserted is su-
premacy over matter in many different
ways tha tmen icGr about IDEAS. even with
words.
Thus ,ar in the history OF our race. iqrer-
es. y the grand touch-st0ne which. ike
lthurievs spear, betrays the real quality Of
whatever II approaches-the lever which
fnds its 1uicrum in head. heart or pocket.
and from thence moves the world History
and human experience both demonstrate
that men will endure without revolt. tYrAn-
nical Interference with either their ideas or
their affections, TO far greater extent than
they VIII with their material Interests.
Like the Dutchman who listened COOlv
while his wife and children were reyiled. but
who few into furious rage when his horses
were abused, too many men, ever in this
age OF advancement. feel keenly only what
concerns the pecuniary value ot their pos
sessions.
4 Wit has said that the amount of SOAP
used by any people would be an easy and
accurate guage for the depth OF their Civili-
zati0n, and. doubtless. external purity Is
closely allied 70 the internal for st. Paul
informs Us that cleanliness is nelt To
gOdIIness;' but the habits OF some halt
civilized nations would seem 10 indicate
that the test OF soap was not altogether re-
liable, while missionaries after an expert
ence Of many years, tell Us they have
learned that truly converted men who are
unquestionably very good. NAV also be, IN
deniably, very dirty.
A surer test OF CIVILIZATION than soap.
would be an ordeal which should show Us
= how far men recognized the great truth. that
! the interest Of each Individual is one and
indylslOle with the interest OF the cOmmu-
nifty in which he lives, and the country
which claims his allegiance. And what in
grander and more overwhelming than The
general welfare and correct education O
the children and young people, who vii
soon become is citizens and control il,
destnles2 We laugh at the ignOramu,
who wanted TO know what pOsterty had
ever done for US, that we were so cOntinu
ally called upon 10 be doing for pOsterity
. yet philosopher OF far-reaching intellect
and intelligence, might have asked thl,
v question iu order that lie might answer IT,
by pointing out how pOSterlty has laid u;
under the weightieSt obligations, by sup
nlying Us with motives for acton, founded
upon one Of the purest and most ennOblinc
: interests oy which man IS capable Of beine
actuated
But though We have indeed reached
/. period in tie worlds history where idea'
exert q potent influence. We cannot ye
, fatteT ourselves that appeals made to tn,
head and heart only. are rs generally sue
cesstul as those which include also tn,
- pocket, and educational enterprises learn
ing Tie wisdom Of the serpent are he
ginning t. avail themselves Of that powe
. which. as Of Old, still holds the minds o
men with giant grasp.
It is beginning 10 be well understood tha
the prosperity OF place is greatly depen
> dent upor its educational advantages. Tn
legislature of New York has lately provide,
for the establishment OF four new school
for the training of teachers. and the public
;. Journals tell Us that the various towns an
cities are getting ready 10 bid, as the
would at Gn auction. for the privilege OF re
! ceiyinr ITEM while one editor remark
that the readiness with which large pla
ces are W ling TO give one and tlrO hUn
IL.
refreshing. And that the material an
financial advantages which they expect {
secure. are mainly the inspiring motives
is apparent from his also expressing . wis
= that :" this popular interest was NOR
st largely shared by thinking men. scholar
% and statesmen
"A Ypsilalti erected the building to secur
q, 10 herself the location OF the state Norm.
+ school. ald found herself go much richie
= and wiser from this speculation. that sh
-. raised S40. 900 for her new Union SchO,
- Building. when the Old one fortunatel
burned down. far more easily than she ha
preyiOusls secured Sl3. 900 for the Norma
I.ansllg = bestrr.ng herself In every d
i. reCtlon Having joined hands with MasO
= aud Jackson hcr citizens p thei- vision
or future ufoel Gritty. ,ee Saginaw. Po
Huron. In.. Battle Crreh. aut even Oh
1a-o lel-eN tAe Queea City ui the We
with lutee.-s Llael te Ler- by rlu fan.
r.--t.u- V.i.A electric currents
~La-. uo longer .e-r t-at t.r --a'
v.ii.sv what aa, made ler w1- -
s.-p D...f"- vs. spec follow g.
r.T to. a.l st4t.'s blocks ot -to-g-
.- .-- Lci -.,e.-t i. si.t l-t--- lt r.'
r..r- rs t.- I.... .Ir.a.--. g.. d.. ...n