The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1879-07-02

Ihe whole production showed the
fine effect of the discipline through
which this young lady has passed il
obtaining an education. Although
at times the way may have seemed
rough and the difficulties great, YET
she now knows that it is only trials
that bring every string of the harI
of character into perfect tune, and W.
congratulate her on the success o
her endeavors.
A finely executed Duet was rem
dered by Miss Phillips and Mrs
Beckwith and the
SILVER KEY
was brought forward by Miss Mar,
Clarke. In every heart is a sacred
room locked and guarded by silver
key. This alone will give admit
lance to the sacred shrine, A chanct
wind may bear us strain of sacred
song. Alb! the key is turning in tht
lock. The strain grows stronger
the door swings ajar, again we hear
Lead us not into temptation" agail
we see the beautiful pictuIe of moth
err hanging on memory's wall. Thus
is evil driven out and the room oc
cupied by the good and pure.
There are beautiful characters that
seem near the Divine. Florence
Nightingale, Wilberiorce, Lincoln
these are the ones that have applied
the silver key to thousands of human
hearts with power no human viii
could resist.
Never heart but what has this
silver key. Never a soul out O
which all good has died, search fol-
the key and treasures never dreamp,
of will reward your efforts.
The theory advanced by this young
lady is one eminently worthy ofprac
tice and study, and none can doub,
their truth. The production showed
study and care and was read in g
pleasing manner.
MILTON
was then introduced to the audience
by Miss Nellie Stebbins. What s
beautiful sight a brilliant meteor
presents as it CLEANS across the sky
Yet this to the physical eye is nc
more beautiful and wonderful thar
the genius of Milton to the Intellect
ual and spiritual sense. His wonder
full powers at an early age gave proof
of his almost divine genius. Nolove
ease, none of the establishments
of wealth or position could wean him
from his seli-imposed task. To him
life was no holiday, no butterfly ex
istence, but real and earnest. He be
lieved that man should be as pure
as the beautiful ideal woman of oul
fancy, and poet should be a MAI
whose whole life is pure and beau
tiful poem. In the wonderful sight.
he beheld it seems as if his vision
eclipsed that of mortal and wandered
away to other realms.
The production showed research
and conception of the great poet'l
abilities, and was of sufficient merit
to have raised the young lady above
the embarrassment under which sht
evidently labored. 1t is but fair te
COMMUNICATIONS -XxlAa-heE-secanG
essay, the first being too much after
the same order of thought as one al
ready submitted by another.
GENIUS AND GENIUSES
W as the subject chosen by Mr.. E
D. Snyder. Genius is flame tina,
burns with a heat and radiance al
its own. AS an example glance a
Edgar A. Poe. His mind seemed
most brilliant after some wild de
bauch, like nature after a Storm
Each age owes it progress TO the
great minds that have formed and
moulded public opinion. The Ones
who could see the truth, speak ant
live it, yet they have been and eveI
will be largely unconscious of their
mission. They see their duty and dc
it. Did Shakespeare have any ides
of the immortal fame awaiting hin
when composing his productions
Or Luther when he declared hi'
thoughts with magic eloquence!
Their duty is to rouse men to thought
and the action which follows. Homer
Virgil, Cicero, indeed it has been the
plain duty of them all, and nobly
have they performed their mission
Among the great arts discovered BY
genius and which has rendered gen
ius itself immortal, is the art of writ
ing. BY this means the work OF
genius has been embalmed and hand
ed down to succeeding generations
The great empires OF the past crum
bled and fell, yet their history is still
present with US, and however high
a nation may rise, however enligh,en
ed her people may become, yet still
genius is ever ruler over all.
Mr.. Snyder's style Of speaking il
much improved, and with attention
be will entirely overcome the "jerky'
manner of speech to which he is
addicted. His production showed care
thought and studious attention. -
SOMETHING NEW
was the title of Miss Dora Blatoh
ley's production. OH mighty ocean
ever restless in thy solitude, dos
thou know of aught that is new
Starry hosts that have looked dowl
on the rising and falling generations
of men for untold ages, have "
joys that are new, sorrows unknown
to human kind? Or do you never
tire of the old and sigh vainly fol
something new? The river murmurl
back the answer, II am as old a,
time," and the grand voice of the uni
verse declares the same truths. Thu!
is man thrown back to earth, aud by