The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-07-22
SYNOPSIS OF AN ADDRESS
BY Rev. ThOs. L. POulSOn

SYNOPSIS OF AN ADDRESS
BY Rev. ThOs. L. POulsOn;
AT DELAWARE COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.
Merit and worth are determinable by
contrasts. Grain is valued as it approx
mates the standard. The oak is magnifi-
cent or insignificant as it may be larger or
smaller than the forest which surrounds it..
The trotting horse formerly attained an
inflated value as he neared the traditional
fleetness of "two-forty on plank road, y
till, at more recent dates, his nobleness
commands fabulous prices as he bravely
challenges the figures of time as success
sively established by those lightning rivals
of the turf-Flora Temple, Dexter and
Pembrino. Taking che from this axio-
matte principle the artist brings out the
finest points of his chefd' 9urre, by contrast
with the sombre and less brilliant aspects
of his painting and the composer intro
duces into his choicest gems an occasional
discordant note to better display the sweet
concord of sounds that comes from the
more symphonious portions of his harmony.
The less meritorious and worthy may thus
have an essential Office to perform in fur
nishing the indispensable shades that make
the lights of life appreciable and lovely
The wise gentlemen composing the Faculty
of Delaware College are not a wit in arrears
. .,
ing the programme for the interesting occa-
sion that calls us together to-day. The
princely array of talent summoned to dish
up the annual literary feast to which you
are here invited, without money and with
out price, is set off to splendid advantage
by the striking contrast your present
speaker affords to the honorable and schol-
arly gentlemen between whom he is SO
gracefully sandwched. However, we con-
sent to occupy this important, though
unenviable position, for the privilege Of
the good company in which it places us !;
specially inasmuch as it is the nearest
approach we can hope to make, at this late
day, to the coveted distinction of scholastic
honors. Otherwise, why should we be here :?
Certainly not to disgust your literary
stomach with vain attempts at indigestible
fancy-soarings, or soporific bubble-burst-
ings, amid ETHEREAL and empty nothings !;
nor with profound explosions in the exca-
vations of meaningless metaphysics. If,
for a brief time, we may but succeed in
vaulting into practical sprightliness that
may keep the audience awake, so that the
other speakers can thereupon mine into
their hearts with few sharp truths, our
ambition will be gratified, and doubtless
the purpose of the Faculty will be accom-
| plished.
The plural possibilities of humanity
demand trained qualification for duty
| Throughout the triple activities of human
responsibility there is no barred door to
| systematical education. We are unwelcome
only when we knock for admission, with
the password of single degree. If we
would enter to the very Inner Glory of a
Masters dignity, we must advance with
the qualifying fitness of the three sublime
degrees of physical, mental and spiritual
culture. This alone constitutes the rich
and royal accomplishment that opens all
mundane arcana to the mortal toier, and
| finally covers him with a blaze of glory as
| the Divine Lord of the harvest proclaims
| the applaudit, in the presence of an assem- :
bled world, "Well done, good and and
faithful servant"
Physical training alone makes the beastly
ruf1ian and prize-fghter, who ply their
bloody trade not far from your own door.
Only an educated mind forms the shrewd
but unprincipled demagogue, ever aspiring
for position and power, the foul stuff from
which have grown the rank crops of tyrany
the world has ever and anon been reaping.
Unreasoning religious zeal creates the intol-
Grant bigot and prosecutor, who crystal
Lies everything into the phylactery devo-
tons and ritualistic mummeries of blind
superstitution and fanaticism These three
grim Dwarfs, in their dance of death, have
gone forth, armed cap-a-pie, with diplomas
and titles, to curse the world with the
| DHBlC Vi PARTIAL anu ueleCUlVe cuuCa1lOn
| The unhonored as well as the crowned
heroes of the world, have been throned on
this enduring Tripod educated body, edu-
Gated mind and educated soul, and the
gates of hell have not prevailed against
them.
Strength of muscle easily breaks the flinty
stones of our turn pixies; lays the iron
arteries of commerce (; adjusts the ponder
Gus ribs Of our commercial leviathans OF
the deep, with even more ease and celebrity
than railroad is constructed from Avon
dale to Delaware City; graduates the pro-
fessional baseball player, whose only
Heaven is where the standard of piety is
made to consist in adroitly taking the ball
"on the fly" or in sending ''daisy-cutters'
and " sky-scrapers' from the bat. Breadth
of intellect bears its favored subject on
unclipped wing through all the picturesque
and shining vistas of science. 1t disem
bowels the pregnant earth Of countless
treasures of mineral wealth concealed ir
her motherly bosom, and transmrtes then
into multifold utility that would astonisl
old Vulcan himself. Borne Oh forces OF
10 1;,rht, a.. 49,,