The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-10-06

| the old Pine Tree State. Cary with you
| everywhere in the workshop, upon the
| farm, in the counting room, through the
| cares of professional life and in all business
| which brings you in contact with others high
and manly principles OF honor and truth.
| Let all your work be done most faithfully.
| If mechanic or laborer, let every thing ell
| trusted to you leave your hands as perfect as
| it is possible to make it, If you make shoes,
| put them together so that they will wear
| long and well. Let every link of the cable
| you forge be sound and strong, when tested
| by the storms OF future years. Ii you are
merchant, let your word be as good as your
bond and every article you deal in be pre-
cisely as represented. If you are a lawyer
or physician, let your best skill, your most
earnest study and careful attention be at the
service of those who need them BE true
men everywhere.
Whattroube and disappointments you may
have-and they will be many--remember
that others whom you meet from day to day
have the same and often are carrying a
heavier sorrow. Be generous and thought
full Don't add to their trouble, but when
ever an opportunity presents itself, lend
them helping hand. 1t is the duty of cv
cry man to be good-natured and cheerful.
In this country it is the duty of every man
to take an active part in making the laws
WHICH SONClIo us lively llttIl nltOQlu
vote-and vote according to his best wisdom,
judgment and conscience. You cannot take
an active part in government yet, but you
can begin to prepare yourselves for doing so.
/ advise you whenever you can do so with
out interfering with other duties, to COM
mence this preparation by reading political
papers. not on one side only, but on both
sides, to listen to addresses on both sides OF
the subject and to discuss the matters with
those from whom you can learn something.
Then when the time comes, attend the pri-
mary caucuses, where most matters are
practically decided, and be sure to vote at
every election for the men and the measures
which you believe to be best.
Read good books, such as will improve
mind and heart and if you turn at times to
lighter reading for rest and amusement, be
sure you have the best of that class. Never
let book be found in your room or desk
which you would hesitate toilet yourmothers
and sisters open and examine.
Read the newspapers. Every boy Of fiji
teen ought to subscribe for some paper him
self and read it carefully and preserve it in
files, marking those articles which interest
him most, so he can readily refer to them
afterwards.
If mechanic takes some paper which
explains inventions and the working of ma
chinery; if farmer, takes some good agri-
cultural paper. The amount of useful in
formation to be obtained within year from
any good paper will surprise you.
And now, my young friends, | wish to
thank you for the interest you have shown
in the offer made to you of prizes for raising
corn. 1 suppose that possibly twenty might
compete. L feared that interest in farming
was decreasing Judge then of my pleasure
at finding one hundred and seventy-eight
boys between ten and sixteen years of age,
ready to enter the manly contest Of this
number three withdrew for good reasons
few others met with some accident or dis
appointment, and so fell out of the line.
One bright boy of fifteen, Charles Conforth
of Biddeford, who had one of the best pieces
OF corn in the country, died suddenly last
month. He was good, pure-minded, true
hearted and earnest boy, and you will join
with me in mourning his loss.
The great majority of the contestants
went bravely through their undertaking.
In answer to postal sent them, one hun
bred and sixty-eight of those boys wrote me
letters last month, and for correct orthogra-
ply, clearness in style and brave hopeful
ness, L am sure they cannot be excelled
by the boys of any other country in the
world.
You have done well. am sorry you can
not all have prizes. Suppose you try once
more. 1 propose to offer to the boys of our
State next year, for raising corn under cir
cumstances similar to your competition this
year, 5000 as a first prize, $50 as a second
prize and five third prizes Of $40 each, and
if boy from York county shall win the
first prize, will add to it gold watch.
Boys of York county and of Maine-your
fathers, your friends at home and abroad
are looking at you anxiously and hopefully
The future of our State is in your hands
Be brave, be good, be earnest, be true.