Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-12
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-TorHE E.
Daily Ksaushee Suuraal.
BOWDOIN COLLEGE.
The Address before the Alumni.


John Cotton Smith, d. D., of New York.
Subject-The American Republic, the divine
preparation in the development of modern history
and the circumstances of American colonization !;
the problems of political corruption and party
strife the conflict Of races and psuperism.
In order to do this ntellgently we must carry
our review far back to the merging in civilization
of those influences which have moulded our mod
ern life. We shall pass rapidly on to the time
when these varied influences reach their consum-
nation in the colonization of this portion of the
Western World; combination of the influences
taking place after the conversion of the old Ro-
man empire to Christianity, came to exist.
The Romans had been conquered by the north
ern barbarians. They accepted the Roman laws
and religion. They were like the Romans and
Greeks from whom were the family of mankind
which had its cradle in Central Asia, and went
forth to conquer the world. These races with all
their natural power became, nth the addition of
Christianity. the stock from which sprung the ele-
ments Of the Anglo Saxon race Of this continent
All these changes were carried silently on, and
became enlarged and built up until like the coral
reefs, from the depths of the ocean, it emerged
from the seas which had engulfed it, and spread
out its wealth of nature, its free institutions and
boundless prospects Of the future.
The historian Motley makes familiar to use the
indomtable perseverance in the face of difficulty
and peril which the Dutch race possess. These
peculiarities of Dutch life have great influence
in the New England element of our colonization
The entrance Of these peculiarties comes through
the New York colony of Dutch. But other col
onies also played their part.
All these and many other important matters
help to make up the divine preparation. In pass
ing from this divine preparation to the great
problems now presented to the American people
for solutions we are confronted first of all by the
perils with which political corruption and party
strife threaten the welfare of the nation, and the
different aspects government assumes under its
different forms.
In all absolute monarchies corruption pervades
the whole civil service. There is no party strife,
because there political parties. All is CEN
sered in one man.
In constitutional monarches and republics po-
litcal corruption is subjected to greater restraint
in consequence Of the people in public affairs
While there is universal tendency at all times
these evils are greatly aggravated.
Special causes for the time give intensity to dis.
turbng influences. Public virtue rapidly declines
and the present evils may follow. There is pre-
vailing conviction that political corruption most
demoralzing in its effects has recently existed
and still exists. Many men are downcast and
even fear dissolution Of the republic, and every
where the prevailing disquietude seriously en-
barasses the interests and relations of individuals
and society.
Now it is because regard the State as a sacred
thing, an institution ordained by God, that wish
to counsel in this crisis higher and more tender
feeling.
Our constitutional government is Gods ordin-
ance in the state for us. Among other things the
present state Of Generalization is due to the ex-
tension of suffrage.
The effects Of psuperism present problem of
unsurpassed Importance to the statesman. II has
just begun to show itself in formidable aspect
1t will soon become much more threatening. The
application of the laws of political economy must
regulate the matter.
The science Of literature also plays an impor-
tant part since science is primarily merely the
knowledge of phenomena and of the order of
their succession.
1t is not easy at first to see how any dIscIimina-
ton can be made between the form of science in
our country and that in another. The phenomena
and laws in astronomy, geology, chemistry, are
the same in Europe as here, but when we spoke
Of such q connection as the present, we mean
something more than this. There are peculiar
tiles belonging to different nations, in the spirit
by which scientific men are animated. One Pc
cuiarity of science in this country is that it is
rayed against religion and truth. In this respect
it differs from that in Germany, France and even
England.
The poetry of our country is subject of con.
sideraton, since it is the highest and most char
acteristc form which literature can assume.
shall confne myself to two poets, both of whom
still live .and who would by universal consent be
admitted to the highest representatives of Ameri-
can poetry.
Mr.. Bryant in the rich maturity of his golden
old age, is q man whom any country might re-
joice to make her son. Without creative genius,
Mr.. Bryant has the true poetic insight in nature,
interprets meaning to the soul, catches the mys-
FERROUS correspondence between the natural and
the spiritual and clothes it all in most graceful
drapery.
MIR. Longfellow, while no, superior to Mr.. Bry-
ant in the varied sweetness and melody, is su-
perior in the breadth and range of his poetic
faculties.
The concluding remarks were made on the fu-
ture of the republic, and the speaker closed with
Tennyson's "Ring Out Wild Bells" &C.
The exerci ses of the day closed with one of the
most elegant and decidedly successful concerts
ever given in the First Parish church. The audi
ence was in the best humor, and the singers in
excellent voice. The programme numbering
thirteen selections, was swelled to twenty-one by
the impetuous acclamations OF delight which
seemed to pervade the entire audience. The
gross receipts were about nine hundred dollars.
Tomorrow will close the festivities of the week
with the usual exercises common to commence
ment day,