The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-30

stages of national growth--carving out an
existence for ourselves In the War of Indepen-
dence; proving our ability to maintain our
position at the 6reside of nations, in the War of
1872; and finally establishing our capacity to
protect ourselves from ourselves, as we did In
the great war for the Union. The speaker then
contrasted the New Republic thus born with the
Old, on the dividing line between which we now
stand. Our country is now one Of magnificent
proportions. The North is clad in perpetual ice,
while in the South the reaper is gathering his
grain II is midday in the East, while the West
is wrapped in darkness Thus is the dream
OF Columbus realized, and men still go west
ward to seek the Indies. The race moves steadily
onward. The destinies of humanity, of all time,
are centered in our progress. While the past is
secure, the future hangs on the present. Nations
live by the practice Of justice and perish through
injustice and wrong. Extent of territory or
vastness Of population was never the true cause
of nations downfall Rome died the day she
marched long trains OF captives into bondage,
and hurled men, women, and children into the
arena of the Coliseum, to be torn to pieces by
wild beasts. If our rulers and lawmakers fail
to profit by such teachings they must be taught
by redoubled woes. Our Fathers of the Revolu-
tion bought and paid the price of the nations
deliverance. But in erecting their temple of
liberty, while they crowned its pillars with
Corinthian leaves they placed chains and ffeters
at their base. To-day we are called upon to
settle the foundations of the New Republic so
substantially that national disaster shall fail
upon us in vain.
Mr. Grow then addressed himself more par
ticularly to the young men who were about to
enter the broad arena of the world. The speaker
said:-
"With the setting OF to-morrows sun many
OF you will have gone out into the manifold
the past during your long seclusion, to-day you
stand on the threshold OF life's stern realities.
It's mighty energies ffo for %'n Lie
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Venera-
ton for the past MS Is almost inseParabls from
linger around the Tiber. the Egean, and the
Nile. Cruel wars and abject slavery are forgot
Ing the kindlins wrath Of Achilles. II The @ CALLING
bondage OF labor and the servitude of woman
of the Senate or the thunders of the Forum.
But with this book OF the past open before you,
permit & not its wisdom and virtues to obscure
for the benefit Of the dominant orders
and favorite classes. Let us not overlook the
Coliseum, the most stupenduous of Rome's ex-
listing ruins, its crumbling walls still standing
living commentary upon the civilization OF
the times in which it was reared, more instruc-
tive than any written description OF society at
that period Built at the pubic expense, at the
height of Roman glory, for exhibitions Of bru-
tality more than sufficient to crafty the
terocity of savage natures, hither resored all
the dignitaries of religion and law, to behold
men, women, and children torn to pieces by
wild beasts, or to witness the scarcely less
brutal exhibition of the gladatorial combat,
claim by a hundred thousand spectators.
Graded amid such scenes, how could humanity
have home: or justice a mercy seat? Yet,
wherever antiquity reared It's temples of re-
fnement. 1t built likewise Its amphitheatre.
sin view of mans social political, aud reli-
gous relations the present age Is far in advance
of any fermer period, for its education begins
with the lnculcatiOn of the great maxim of
human life-'W hatsoever ye would that others
should do to you do ye even so to them;' and
is continued with those other kindred lessons of
the brotherhood Of man which were first taught
on the sea shore and along the hillsides of
Judea. AS you go forth from these halls to
meet the shadowy future go with no blind
cause of their grey age; but go with the stern
heart of the reformer, ever ready to receive the
| new and the untred. II IL be calculated to pro
Most of the evils which afiiict society have had
their origin in violence and wrong, enacted
retained by the prejudices of the present. BE
not hasty to denounce as a visionary and fanati
| the bold spirit who dares, Columbus-like, TO
stand out upon unknown seas; he may yet re-
turn, laden with new continents of knowledge.
Visionary and fanatic has been the alarm
has ever resisted all Innovations upon esta.
blished customs and opinions since Socrates
swallowed the hemlock, and Galileo quiyered
on the rack. - .
Let the dead past bury its dead;
Act act in the living present,
Heart Within and God oerhead
Mr.. Crows Grafton ELECTED the most profound
attention, and heartiest applause one of its
sterling merits being its brevty, an accom-.
plishment which not all our public speakers
have acquired.