Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-06-15


and even now is regarded with superstitious
reverence by the admirers of Marcus Aure-
Illus, whom it represents. Few lives in
ancient times were more noble than his
at least it is not too much to say that Mar
Gus Aurelius is the most superb product of
heathendom-the very efflorescencc of
Pagan philosophy. Descended thro' an
honored ancestry from Numa Pompilius,
he enjoyed at an early age the patronage
of the Emperor Hadrian. At an early age
he, in connection with Lucius Clionius
Commodus, was adopted by Antoninus.
From this time on his career was most
illustrious and glorious. Upon the death
of AntOninus, Marcus Aurelius assembled
the throne. A noble instance of the magni.
nimity of his disposition is shown in the
fact that he at once admitted his adopted
brother, Clionius, to full participation in
the imperial hOnors and dignitics
Marcus possessed a feeble constitution,
and cared little for the excitements of war
and politics, while Lucius rejoiced more in
warlike achicvments than in intellectual
requirements. Marcus was so successful
in the defeat of his opponents and his self.
establishment, that the Roman cause
achieved a permanent triumph.
However, remarkable the civil and mar
tial successes of Aurelius, his greatest fame
arises from quite different sources. The
leading characteristic of the man was his
love of philosophy. Associated from youth
with that stern, cold and austere sect, the
StOics, from the most noted of whom he
received instruction, he maintained
throughout his whole career the most pro-
found admiration for its teachers and teach
ings, cultivated the friendship of his tutors,
and at their death erected statues to their
memories, and even decorated their graves
with flowers. The study of philosophy
was the absorbing object of his DEVOTION
the fond idol of his heart. 1t may be
deemed a most fortunate occurrence that
this man, endowed with such q mind and
such a disposition. should receive his edu-
cation from the Stoical philosophers. He
was composed and self possessed, without
being harsh and arbitrary, firm to convic-
tions, yet not obstinate nor unyiclding.
In public and private life he portrayed the
principles he SO devoutly cherished. He
lived and died with the love of his consti-
tuents, and his memory is cherished to the
present day. Yet with all his noble and
manly qualities, and illustrious career,
there is one dark and painful spot on his
memory which completely eclipses all the
good qualities We have detailed. He lived
and died without Christian faith
even treating Christians with most cruel
severity. None has ventured to offer any
excuse for his unjust martyrdom of Justin
and POlycarp, and others. Probably he
allowed his own gentle feelings to be set
aside by tho stern demands of his Stole
colleagues-whose religion would allow
them to sanction no other creed, and who
regarded with jealous eye the new faith
which so speedily was to take the place of
theirs.
Oration-" Universal Republicanism -
&C. w. Crcmer, Chambersburg, Pa. The
surest test of government is found in its
effect upon the people. For them it is
formed. 1t is to be exercised in their be-
half, and in it's ability to hold their affec-
tions and secure their willing obedience
and corporation in its discharge we have
the truest proof Of its efficiency. Many
different theories of government have been
put into execution, but they have nearly
all resulted disastrously. The govern
ment, which should be lasting, only came
into existence when representation of the
people and religious toleratiOn were taken
as its basis. Whom the seed of Republi-
canism was planted in America it was de-
posted where there was no association of
empire, save as it existed in painful recol-
lection. Hero it grew was admired by
ali nations and its government is being
adopted by all people. Tho speaker
closed with picture Of the world rs it
would be when universal licpublicanism
should be, as it will be, the government
of all nations" q government by tho peO
pie and for the people,
Music-March, "Kaiserin Augusta
Carl.
Oration-"T Turning Points in Life
J. F. Linn Harbaugh. Every young man
in his endcavor to mark out for himself a
future course of life, or to choose work to
which he may best devete his energies, is
influenced largely by tho experiences of
tho past by tho incidents and circum-
stances which surrounded his childhood
and youth by reference to tho rocks and
shoals that have time and again turned
his frail bark of life into channels of un-
known, perhaps dangerous, waters. Each
bound and rebound has tried his strength
and measured his resources. Whatever
mans faith may be as to tho future, his
remembrance of the past, with the lessons
it has taught, arc to him 4 fixed and GER
tain reality. The spirit must have the
iu tho past by the recollection and assO-
citation as necessarily rs it lives in the pres
ent by consciousness, and in tho future by
hope. What each individual has endured
Or enjoyed, or at what particular times in
his life these now orders of existence
have been revealed to him, VIC may
not know, but wo Go know that
there arc certain periods in every
life when the world opens to it in 4 now
light, and things human and divine arc
revealed which tho most vivid imagina-
tions could not picture. Time in it's rapid
flight introduces and sweeps away many
things which VIC fain would keep with us.
But these epochs, these revolutions stand
out as clearly before the mind rs upon the
day of the happening. The loss by death
of fond parent has changed tho course of
many life, and has revealed the fact that
the battles of this life must be sought
without tho discipline, cs'unscl and
watchful caro- of him whose
place in this life no other one
can fill. This, our commencement day,
can truly be called turning point in our
lives, and now is the timo when VIC look
back into tho dim past to choose work
to which we may devote tho fast heeting
years that may yet be left to us. 1t re-
mains, thon, for us to labor earnestly from
dawn of day until the cur(ew tolls-always
looking upwards-that is the destiny Of
spirits. Let us grasp, with tirmness that
yields not unto death, tho banners upon
which is written our glorious purpose.
When difficulties strengthen or when tho
sirens of ease would allure US from our
path let us wave the banner in their faces,
nd in, OF nnovfh ne IN