Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-07-15
Science and Poetry.


to $50, the annual result Of an en-
dowment made by ex-Gov. Lewis,
several years ago, to be awarded to
the graduate of the State University
who presented the best Grafton, was
given to William +. Bainbridge, of
Mifflin. The Grafton was entitled
"Science and Poetry" 1t was well
delivered and created a strong i'm
preston. 1t was as follows:
GRAFTON.
During the past afty years of our national
history, the commanding cry in every depart
ment Of human activity has been for prac-
tical measures, methods and men. Fol-
lowing the notwithstanding star of empire,
engaged in earnest conflict with natures stub
born forces. men have made utility their sole
standard of excellence. Their interest has
conferred in the means of material progress;
they have burned their incense mainly upon
the affairs Of industrialism. Science has been
worshpped as a patron deity, aud stately tenn
pies, lavish in their appointments, have been
dedicated to her service. No fact Of the outer
world has escaped the closest scrutiny. The
secret of the universe hid in earth and sea and
sky have been diligently sought after and the
knowledge, when attained, directed into chan
nels of productive activity Nor can the hcne-
fits of these physical researches to the race bc
denied. Through them space and time have
been wcll-ngh aunihiated far-sundered peo-
pie brought into closer relationship ard the
49,. a. Il.
mastery over his environment. And yet not
without compensation have such advantages
been gained. he complete absorption la eN-
ternal things incident 20 this, our mat1rialistic
era, has left In comparative neglect a realm
whose unseen forms are luvclier stilL whose
energies are yet more vital than those OF the
visible world Mans spiritual nature is to-day
Like an unweeded garden
That grows 20 seed"
Its rarest flowers. its richest fruits are value
less besIdeth Sc things rank aud gross which.
BY the magic hand oil science can be converted
into gold J he mob est aspirations of the soul
are scorucd as weakness: Ks sweetest barmo-
mes are wholly drowned in the hair n noises of
the hour Aud as "a result what q spectacle
our yBuutud, progressive, utilitarian civilizt-
ton offers now! Everywhere dishonesty in
trade, corruption in politics, stupidity in e gis-
ton. hypocrisy in religion. Every where dis
content gr VS. apace. Arrogant wealth and
brtwling poverty stand. as they stood IN France
a century ago, ready to usher in a new era Of
boodshcd and anarchy. me amenities of life
are vanished. ne mild light OF human SYM
ptthy nowhere fails upon the deepening gloom,
ana the troubled waters, PASSIONS wept. threat
en- Hu universal dCluEe. There is needed IN
this crisis less culture of al and hand; more
culture OF the heart. 1he deepest interests Of
humanity are spiritual, not material. Human
ity true prophets are not the eager scientists,
searchiag the iuhnte-mU ur tracing the
courses of jhe stars, hut rather those choiae
spirits of AL tiuc who have ivon, In song aud
story, ua artistic uttorauce to the ycarnugS Il
the soul Let tue worlds reudiest homage bc
yielded to the pa. s. TO the dead kings of
melody" who uve immortal in tbcic verse.
For thes are
'Nut uNe the mcn 81 the crowd
VINO, All around us to-day.
Blustur or cl14e and make ufo
hldeous oi.u ard and ,ilc,
Bat suul tempered WIKI urc
tervuut. hrluic and good
Helpers and friends Of uduNind"
( I'm tue realms of truth and beauty they reign
supreme ,oiving the h,gu sentiments OF man $
dNinor nature. 70 tuem has been youch~atyd
/ TIM gift to see lite steadily aad SEE tt wnuie.'
/ The, sound the depths of human sutgri1g;
/ they touch the heights OF human joy. they
/ reHnmtte tue burr "a past, eXut the living
present and prophesy the g0l zen fuu.c.
/ HOMER sings IN clear 50 tOlrs tha glpres oil
\ the elder day A Daute ca plores the t0uIrs OF
shade where crrug spirits are confined 60
/ eserlasuus fires" Borne on mag ilatiou's
tlryless wing, a Milton suar4 To the emp, re- IA
ANA sees angelic hosts coltou ling IA tno fields
of heaven 4 Shakespeare, takiug Tor h~
province the eNhdusJIcss lie of msu. reflects
In his impartial mursr al IT'S love, its hate, lbs
careless mirth, u.s. awful tragedy Whist Il
tfTthcs luminous Eeutds generates thu dtr1-
est problems OF existence and MAKES them
hshJ forever
/ tu1hcelaluscd diG OF these busting times
the Tow, sweet voice % ple,, Is nusnel let
ii We ,yaull but listen, there are ringing uu
around rs the -cnae, of th,t Ampier dap when
the world ,sa, uued sth music Not till mcu
are freed from tic lhrdli5n IL mere material
interest wi. their nc,lts BE unre m me Open J5
toe ,uauuag ud scnea 81 song. rh.u $500
selfish anuit1u ANA a,ariaa, tne oitterle- la4
-ti..uf .HHt.s. .r.. l,ali slI~s s vanish ,<e
q SPECTRAL TROOP into tned trkn ss @usuce tar9
ctma. Instead 81 them win prevail Iase,
sympathy tuI Gaa-.t 81 charity.