The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-30
AN ADDRESS
Delivered Before the Literary Societies
OF Western Maryland College, June
20, 1883, by Col. Henry Page,
of Princess Anne, Md.

[ had occasion some two years since, to
traverse Carroll county with pleasant COM
pany, in an open carriage, 1t was just at
the best season Of the year, when nature Is
clothed in her richest livery. We had
come from the level plains of the Eastern
Shore, where prolonged drouth had for
weeks, parched the earth, until vegetation
was brown and sere, and all along the
highways the impalpable dust would rise
into clouds with every gush of wind or
passing vehicle, and permeate the heated air,
so that respiration was an unmitigated
burden. These sloping hills with their
varying lights and shades, were therefore
very pleasing to us. Noparched earth was
here, for warm showers had recently fallen
and every where the golden sunlight rest
ed on fresh leaves and delicate blossoms.
Never did the newly mown grass seem
more green; never spake the piled up
shocks of wheat more eloquently of harvest.
All that afternoon, we drove along the
turnpike drinking in the pure air, that
came to us from the mountains beyond.
Brooded over by the great barns, so
opulent in suggestions of prosperity, and
perched on the hill top from whence the
eve could mtch delightful views of hill and
dale, or nestled with low-lands, the trim
farm houses seemed fitting accompanl-
ments of the well titled fields, that sur
rounded them. By easy grades, our road
climbed the long ascents and down again,
now and then leading us away from the
open lands, into the cool woods, or down
through the shady valley where the drowsy
silence of the summer day was stirred only
by the babblings of the brook, as it wound
its way with mild persistency, among the
smooth stones that obstructed it. When
we passed the last toll gate, the day was
far spent-the west was all ablaze with the
gorgeous colors of the setting sun, and
golden beams of light glistened from every
object that lifted itself into prominence.
Westminster was before us and spire and
steeple, house-top and window caught the
BRIGHT hues and reflected them with added
splendor.
Beyond, and high above, lowered the
college building, with all its outlines sharp
and clear in the food of light that bathed
it. As we drew nearer, the town hitherto
silent as picture, wakened into life, and
as we entered its thoroughfares and wit
messed the earnest busy aspect of its
neople. we exclaimed, "this is truly a
typical American Town." in which the
school house and college stand side by
side with the church, and industry and
labor are the employments of the people.
When | had the honor to receive the
invitation to address your societies, L in
voluntarily recalled the incidents of that
ride, and by certain association of ideas,
not at all curious, it seemed that | could
devote this portion Of your commencement
exercises to no better purpose than to brief
study of that people, whose village life
seemed here to be so fully represented.
Who are the people? They are those of
the United States, but l shall designate
them as the American people, for by that
name they are best known, and, as the most
powerful of the Western Continent, are en-
titled to claim it. Unquestionably they
are proud people. They point with pride
to their vast territory and numbers, their
fine schools and colleges, their wonderful
experimental self government. They
claim, and probably justly, that America
in the accumulation of wealth is fully