The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-10

these Commencements that every graduated class
of five years standing, whose members are entitled
to the degree of Master OF Arts, should be repre-
ser ted by one OF its own members Few more enec-
tive methods could be devised ior the purpose OF
exist between the graduate and his Alma Mater,
for Their mutual benefit The great Universities OF
America and Europe owe much OF their power and
influence to the fact that their graduates forever
continue their children Every exertion is made TO
and powerful body is thus enlisted to supply
their wants or oppose their enemies. This should
be the aim OF all who have at heart the welfare of
our beloved institution. Its stability must depend
not only In its recognized usefulness TO the commu
nifty but on the conduct In after life and the gene
rous support OF It's graduates May It always find its
warmest defenders In those whose youth 1t has
tured May they ever be eager to protect their Alma
Mater from assault and desrous TO increase her
efficiency. The High School, however, has hitherto
placed its great reliance on the public confidence in
It's educational ability and that confidence has been
freely extended, the public interest manifested In
its successive comnencements conclusively prove;
and the large and brilliant audience here to-day
shows that confidence has not been diminished
under the present management
Ladies and Gentlemen i propose TO offer few
brief and general remarks on the spirit OF the age.
We hear great deal nowadays on the spirit Of the
OF eloquence and wisdom. Every one is conscious OF
a vague something OF that name, but few have in
quired into its real character IL Is certainly difficult
to define, but close study Will enable us to COM
prehend its origin and meaning You will observe
the very name "sprt OF the age implies that It is
general and not confined to particular country
people. 1t is active in Europe and America and is
Ielt In the Oldest as well as in the newest commun-
ties The recognition and consciousness OF this
general spirit by the present generation is the great
distinguishing characteristic Of modern times.
All history reveals no trace OF anything similar in
any previous age. Rome and Greece, OF course, had
certain periods of their existence which distu-
guished from preceding ones by the prevalence OF a
timent was confined TO its own country and unfet
beyond It's borders Mans life in ancient times was
so severely national that all foreigners were cons-
dered; enemies whvse lives might be sacrificed for
that cause alone There was then no intercourse
between nations and peoples by which it was possi-
to them ALL The growth of commerce, however, in
modern times, the invention Of the printing press,
the use Of steam and the telegraph, and
the various appliances OF science, by the
general diffusion of knowledge has brought
the most remote people together and promoted
habit OF national Intercourse in which artificial and
and even natural distinctions have been almost
oblterated. The study OF the modern languages,
too has made the whole world acquainted with the
thoughts and feelings OF each particular people, and
has brought their leading minds into communion.
The slender cable across the ocean has completed
the connection, and now the whole civilized world
thinks, feels, and speaks in unison This general
communion OF thought and feeling makes our ad-
vantage over the ancients, and gives us the great
fact which we call the spirit OF the age The link
ing ing togeSntet e IA sn way Oi vS human nind, WIN
vast universal mind that belongs to no country or
people, but only TO the whole race
Nothing can occur OF importance to any particular
people or country without its cognizance The
public press always first to recognize coming
truth, has acknowledged its demands, and now we
read every morning IN the columns of the newspa-
pers the events OF the previous day in every quarter
Derused by us with no more aydty than the stirrnS
kilograms from Paris. The debates Of the French
Legislative Body or the British Parliament are read
with the same interest," or rather perhaps, want OF
interest, as the debates OF our own Congress The
various tendencies, expressions and manifestations
OF this universal mind call "the spirit of the age
The manner in which 1t acts, and the new elements
it has introduced into our present lfe form inte-
resting and instructive study 1t Is the great con-
trolling spirit in the grand movements OF modern
progress and reforms. And he who would under
harmony harm and sympathy with it. TT This fs vast Intellect
has just become conscious OF its unity and power;
and, although composed pSSDnS Of numerous indi-
Of c!i single mind Unions and Councils are called to-
Continually the representatives Of the most distant
and diverse nations assembled In deliberation. The
General Council Of the Roman Church, now sitting
in Rome, is one manifestation in limited direction
OF branch OF the universal thought on the subject
81 Gegon Ine tSe Frane az
the various worlds fairs were another expression Of
the same general mind in reference to human in
dustry And signs do portend that the time may not
be far distant when politics and government will be
similarly treated and all mankind brought under the
one universal ruling power OF human opinion.
The Honorary Address,
by Dewey Bates, was read by Robert E. Patti
son, the valedictorian, the author being pre-
sent, but too much indisposed to speak. We
make the following ABSTRACT
Directed by stern integrity, rigid impartiaty, and
sound Judgment, the historians pen has prepared a
chart is to the mariner. Not merely then, that the
past might be remembered not merely that posterity
might be melted by the records Of glorious ances-
try to the performance of similar deeds OF martial
heroism, does the historian pen his truthful pages
| but that nations might read, and reading learn the
rocks ana shoals the qucksands and whirpools the
| safe and dangerous harbors the broad and narrow
| channels of national navigation Here then, lies
the true office OF the historan-to furnish fiaWless
charts, by which the national bearings Way be accu-
ratey determined and the ''ship OF state" directed
into the true course towards national prosperity.
| While some historical records shine with splen-
| dor which the passage OF ages has failed to dim,
existence, disappear ike lost stars TO be seen again
| no more. Again, since the work OF ages has been
necessary to generate that force which In a short
interval has manifested itself in the production of
| those grand and imposing landmarks OF nature 30
in history-while to some one event the grand de-
| yeopments may be traced the causes, the inhu-
| ences which have been constantly at work and
which have been continually accumulating till the
addition Of one more event has forever destroyed
the equilibrium-these influences will often be found
to extend through cycles Of time, and to have been
developed when the original agttators had long since
disappeared, unnotced even on histOry's page.
Martin Luther was not the cause Of the Reforma-
ton. He was the feather beyond the qudntum Su6-
cit which bore down the scale The declaration o.
the work of few men, in a few months, but it was
the result OF the accumulated murmurings from
| thousands OF oppressed colonlsts through years Of
British tyranny. Thus may we trace back the con
vusions and sudden eruptions which mark the his
| torie page. Thus must the causes which have innu
enced the courses Of nations be sought for not in tn,
present, nor in adjacent Influences, but far dowI
the avenues OF time, and among sources widely dis
| tant- .-r --. ~. '.
The ValedictOry Address, ty +'-.-.-
| which was too length, for publication In thi
connection, will be found in full on our sixth
page. ~'-N
Testimonial to the First Honor Man.
Previous toothe awarding of testimonials I,
the graduates, Mr.. Abbott member of the Boart
of School Control, presented, on behalf of Mr.
= | Halliwell, Secretary of the Board, handsom