The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-09-07
True Nortberner.
Paw Paw, MICHIGAN, SEPT . 1877.
r.on, re .rsrlcnnrrai Colles.e.

vary unfavorable and besides there were TWO
nlcnics TO Grand Ledge, but the grounds were
alive with strangers all day and the chapel was
crowded 10 its utmost capacity. The music by
the Franz Schubert clup OF Jackson was excel
lieut.. Although there wac some hesitancy
about hiring so young an orchestra after pat
roul2ing Bishops Grand Opera House Orchestra
of Detroit, all we're we'll pleased to think We
employed them. The ladies, Miss Robinson
aud Mrs. Beebe. were especially admired for
their sweet solo singing The boys know what
good music Is, and 1t is enough OF a comph:
msnt to them to say that they " ere immediately
engaged for the commencement exercises in
November. The speakers were chosen by lot
from those who had class standing above
eight in a scale OF ten, and was no more than
chosen. Modesty forbids my saying anything
about the speaking, but all seemed well salts
fed and bouquets we're very numerous some
speakers getting ak or more elegant green
house bouquets. The usual reception was CIV
en- in the evening, to which many fine young
ladies added to the enjoyment OF the "un-
sophisticated college lads" tiue tribute was
stewardess
Tho first Grafton, entitled " Gentlemen OF
Leisure, was by Geo. E. RrecS. OF Paw Paw.
He began By calling attention to the gradual
increase in that class OF men who have no reg
ular employment. This, In part, arises from
the ease with which many Americans have be-
come rich through the rise Of property, the in
speculation IN unemployed fields. The trouble
arises from the manner IN which they use it.
" With all their natural desires met, they soon
mud artificial ones. few Americans ape too
much after the arisJocracy OF Europe. This Is
dangerous TO the welfare Of the nation. Our
prosperity demands that we use all our capital
for the production OF wealth. 1t is from the
change OF employment to wealth that we de-
rive our greatest pleasures 1t is noble to ac-
quro wealth. Ii is laudable to use il well.
The stimulus which the faculty of money
Iug gives Is the one that keeps the world run
ming Our busiest men have always done the
most for themselves and others. Those that
start ahead should come out ahead. The world
demands the careful and vigilant attention oil
that If our resources were utilized we as a ma
ton could give employment and fair compen-
satiou 10 every man disposed to work? Our
resources are abundant and our men OF wealth
may yet rain the riches OF nature into the laps
OF The Industrious millions. The careful use
OF tio,e aud money cannot but furnish solu
ton TO our labor question. Every one should
engage their time aud money Ia some one of
those vast and magnificent operations OF peace
full industry, on which the prosperity and true
greatness Of every individual and community
depends"
Tho next speaker, Horace V Clark, OF Ran
som, had ioc subject = Our Patent SYSTEM
Mi Clark Is very young and showed that he
was somewhat embarrassed, but Is a good av-
erase speaker. lie said: Among the ways of
tightening toll in America are the invention of
new and the Improvement of old machines. AS
a means OF reward those who so tighten toll are
gwen patent. Is our system the best that
could be devised? Patents are now granted
both for the invention Of new and the improve
ment of old ones. There is need of them for
new inventions but for improvements there is
always incentive enough. Manufacturers are
always alive to their own interests and inn
provepents will be amply paid for in the in
creased sales. improvements are often so
eaelly made that no patent is deserved. Many
patent right sWindles come from illegal patents
obtained as Improvements. Thus monopoles
are often sustained by getting the exclusive
right of small improvements. Sewing machines
furnish good example. Our patents hold too
long for the best results. 1t makes the sue |
cessrul inventor rich, the unsuccessful poor, so
neither try again. In Germany patents hold
for only from three TO ten years. and only one
is granted for about ten applications. Patents
should be forfeited il the invention is not put |
into use within a certain time. The evils aris-
ing from putting politicians into the patent |
Offices may be remedied by substituting exam
nations for appointment fer party services,
and then paying fair salaries for competent
men. Then for laws giving fewer patents and |
for genuine inventions only. we may be as
justly proud OF our patent system as we are Of
our other institutions.
Eugene Davenport, Of Woodland, on the
subject "Our Education" said The nlne-
tue worlds history. All is hurry and bustle.-
Our philosophers explain all phenomena by
motion. Light, heat and electricity are but the
results OF motion. No wonder when motion
has come to be recognized to be such an under
living principle, that we are fast people, Our
activity is but the outgrowth of our education,
and no man Is educated who has not so trained
hls faculties as to make the world better for
hs having lived in il. The fame OF the worlds
heroes IS but the result OF their education
They live in our hearts by virtue of their
discoveries, Investigations and re-
forms The popular idea that to be educated
, man must be self-made or that any one wins
{ unaided Is untrue. Where one would.be
self-made maR succeeds a thousand fail, and
vet out industrial schools go unsupported and
The Sons OF ogrfarmers and business men re-
'eve bat httle or no education. Our industrial
colleges are young Shall they ba allowed to
i've or annimlated' The decision remains
With those VINO hold the ballot.