The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-06-19

telligence which alice him to the Great
Maker OF worlds and frsmer Of systems.
He is himself an architect, working
consciously, mastery, a. he dreams, on
other buildings, but really all the while,
unconsciously perhaps, building his
own house wherein he must dwell, not
only for time. but for eternity. He
takes the Seat OF the Fates, and with
his own hands holds the distaff, spins
the thread OF life, and finally cuts it.
This is the mystery of freedom, that it
not only possesses the power Of being
self-moved but also self-guided. 1t
scars on wings of its own making
through realms Of its own choosing
The ideal within, which is the fountain
of hope. becomes the reality without.
which is the iruition OF work.
l take it. gentlemen, that this
is the conception you hold Of des'
tiny and yourselves, and that
you are ready TO lift up your
hands and smite the quarries in which
lie the unhewu materials of your ideal
temples. l assume, not without some
intimstlou from you, that already you
have projected not an eclipse only, but
q shining course for yourselves, where
in you hope honorably 10 walk and
work. Some Of you are TO be farmers,
| learn some, lawyers; some, doctors
some, merchants; some, teachers
some, preschers-well, there ia nothing
original in THE. In choosing a PROBES.
sion our whole vocation. like thst Of
children, seems bu: endless imitation.
In pursuing it when chose
there is indeed some variety, and ample
room, if not Tor originality, at least for
improvement. And OF the many themes
for my last words, which present them.
selves, beg to dwell for few moments
on this. | trust you will not consider
what | am about TO say a. advice. II
has been said by some grim moralist
that no man was ever benefited by ad-
vice. This is, perhap', al exsggeration.
Yet. hold it true, that unless there be
q strong assimilative affiAity in the
heart upon which it ialIs-alI advice 10
powerless for good. At an hour, like
this, however, when you aud ! are
shaking hands for long parting. when
our fellowship OF travel is about TO end,
aud am giving over to each OF you
the helm OF his own vessel, it may be
that q few words OF observation from
one who has loog studied the
chart Of your several s.af, will not fall
all unheeded II, 10 your atter voyage
when storms arise, and the night is
dark, and the way uncertain, and the
judgment is puzzled, aud the will vascil-
lates, you shall fud, spriDging up from
the "palimplis tablet OF memory" any
long covered syllable OF these last
words Of mine, to inspire or to guide or
to comfort, that shall be my sweet
recompense for their uttersnce.
1t is noble thing to be good far
mer, to keep the earth and dress ii,
and to draw forth its teeming wealth for
the qualification Of our desires, ls
service that all can see and value.
But it belongs to the political econo-
mist to discuss these results OF agricul-
tural life. l speak Of you the farmer
and 10 you the person, not the pur-
suit: Let it be yours to elevate your
class. The farmer is the fulcrum OF
progress, commerce and manufactures
are the two arms OF the lever. il the
fulcrum be not strong and solid moth
ing can be permanent. The stability
OF the nation depends upon you. A
New Yorker, speaking OF the fearful
corruption OF bis city, once said TO me,
that nothing but the virtue OF the
country could save her from the fate
OF Sodom. Forget not this conserva-
tive power that Providence has
put into your keeping. and
use it with prudence and
fidelity. Not in the spirit OF
antagou;sm, but OF mutual responslbill-
ty and patriotism. No class is more
nearly dependent upon the blessing OF
Heaven than yours. Without the early
and latter rain you will SOW and respin
vain, and these are blessings that come
to honesty and piety, as Heavens high
est zeal OF approval. Follow your CALI
ing, tn en-, as stewards OF the great Pro-
prietor to whom you must give account,
and gather your sheaves and garner
your grain, with due acknowledgment
OF the tith,ng OF Him under whom you
occupy as tenants, ard He will give you
increase.
Since some OF You are TO be lawyers |
am happy to cay that old reproac;n OF
Scribe and Pharisee is not In these
modern days associated with tie pro-
fessou which you propose to enter.
Names great and good have lifted Vt
high among the pursuits in which the
most gifted minds may seek usefulness
and distinction. But there are pettliog-
gers and shtsters in the ranks, AMI L
charge you avoid them-liit your robe:
out OF the dust in which they grovel
and walk en- the other side. The Kings
highway cannot be shut up against rob-
bers who despoil widows and orphans;
no vigilance OF police can be msrsballed
against the fomenters OF strife who en-
courage litigation for fees, but bs II
yours to show q better way. n my
youth iul days 1 was taught 10 venerste
the bar. knew Marshsll, the
Bsrbours. johnson. Leigh, Stansrd OF
nv own State. l heard and read OF
Story and Kent, and the names oil
Blackstone and Coke fell upon my
youthful veneration as the shadow OF .
great rock, under which all high sm.
6ition might take diviuest shelter. A
Philadelphia lawyer was the synonym
of all ths a noble emulation could as
pire to initiate. 1t may be
that the GALAXY of to-day is not
40 bright, but il the brightest stars
have dropped out, be it yonrs to take
| their place, restore the lost Pleiad, bur
pish anew the lustre Of the law. rene"