Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-07-13

THE CENTENNIAL GRAFTON.
THE following is the concluding por-
ton OF the Grafton delivered by VIM.
NJ. Evarts at the celebration in Phila-
.delphia, on the 4th inst:
We turn now from the survey of
this vast territory, which the closing
century has consolidated and con-
firmed as the ample home for a Ma
ton, to exhibit the greatness in num-
bers, the spirit, the character, the port
and mien OF the people that dwell in
this secure habitation. That in these
years our population has steadily adj
Yanced, till it counts forty millions in
stead OF three, bears witness, not to be
dlSparaged or gainsaid, to the general
congruity of our social and civil insti-
tutions with the happiness and pros
perity of man. But if we consider
further the variety and magnitude of
foreign elements to which we have
been hoSpitable, and their ready fusion
with the earlier stocks, we have
new evidence of strength and vivid
force III our population which we may
not refuse to admire. The disposition
and the capacity thus shown give war
rant OF a powerful society. "Al
Nations" says Lord Bacon, that are
liberal of naturalization are fit for en-
pire.''
Wealth in it's mass, and still more
III It's tenure and diffusion, is meas
ure of the condition of people
which touches both its energy and mo-
rality. Life has given nothing val
liable to man without great labor
This IS as true now as when Horace
wrote it. The prodigiOus growth of
wealth in this country is not only,
therefore, signal mark of prosperity,
but proves industry, persistency,
thrift, as the habits of the people. Ac-
emulation of wealth, too, requires
and imparts security, as well as unfet-
tered activity; and thus it is fair
criterion of sobriety and justice in
people, certainly when the laws and
their execution rest wholly in their
hands. A careless observation of the
crimes and frauds which attack pros
perity, in the actual condition of our
society, and the imperfection of our
means for their prevention and re-
dress, leads sometimes to an unfavora-
bic comparison between the present
and the past, in this country, as re-
spects the prObity of the people. No
doubt covetouSnesS has not ceased in
the world and thieves still break
through and steal. But the better test
upon this point is the vast profusion
of our wealth and the infinite trust
shown by the manner in which it is in
vested. 1t is not too much to say that
III our times, and conSpicuously in our.
country, a large share of every mans
property is in other mems keeping and
management, unmatched and beyond
personal control. This confidence of
man III man is ever increasing, meas
ured by our practical conduct, and re-
flutes these disparagements of the gem
eral morality.
knowledge, intellectual activity, the
mastery OF nature, the discipline of
hfe-all that makes up the education
OF people-are developed and diffused
through the masses of our population
in SO ample and generous a distribu-
ton as to make this conspicuous
trait IN our national character, as the
faithful provision and extension of the
means and opportunities of this educa-
ton are the cherished institution of
the country. Learning, literature,
science, art are cultivated in their
widest range and highest reach, by a
larger and larger number of our poo
pie, not, to their praise be it said,
as a personal distinction or a
selfish possession, but, mainly as
a generous leaven, to quicken
and expand the healthy fermenta-
ton of the general mind, and lift the
level of popular instruction. So far
from breeding distempered spirit in
the people, this becomes the main prop
OF authority, the great instinct of ODE
dlence. 1T is by education, says
Aristotle, 4 have learned to do by
choice what other men do by constraint
of fear
The "breed and disposition of a
people, III regard of courage, public
spirit and patriotism, are, however,
the test of the working of their insti-
tutions which the world most values,
and upon which the public most de-