Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-09-04

religion bears its beat fruit and achieves
the grandest results under the reign OF
intelligence. This work IL related to the
strength and stability of our Government
The psrpetuity of this nation does not de-
pend upon the extent of our public Co
main, the fertility of our soil, upon our
national resources, standing army or navy,
nor upon the amount of surplus IN the
national treasury, but upon the Christian
intelligence of our people.
''The first danger is illiteracy. Ii intel
ligenee is the surest foundation upon which
a free government can be built,
then the degree of illiterscy in our land Is
truly alarming. Of the SO, 761 ,607 parsons
over 10 years Of age in the United States,
4, 923, 451 are reported "a unable to read,
and G, 239, 95s as unable to write. Among
the registered voters Of this land, there are
{, 900, OOO who can neither read nor write.
As long as this state of things exist We can
not hope for pure politics and good gov
eminent" The next danger presented by
the speaker was political prejudice. THE
third" aaid he, lis the great overshadow-
ing evil, Ultramontanism. This is the
enemy of free government and popu.
lar education. 1t stands to-day arrayed
against our public schools, seeking in ev-
cry possible way to cartail their efficiency
and accomplish their ultimate overthrow.
In the Northwestern States, in many To-
cslities, persons are employed as teachers
who are not in sympathy with the spirit
and purpose of our institutions, and IN not
few instances teach the
PRINCIPLES OF THEIR RELIGION
TO the youth Of these schools in open def
snce of law. You ara all familiar with the
revolution in Boston; how, under the in
fiuence of Jesuits, Swinton's history was
thrown from the curriculum Of the schools
and the Superintendent suspended from his
position. But the liberty glowing people OF
that city, with spirit that animated their
fathers, rose up en- mdsse aud demanded
that the book be restored to the curricu-
lum and the worthy Superintendent to bis
position. The fret gun has been tired; the
attack has been openly made and the con-
tiict begun that is to be carried on in every
State and city of this Republic. And
while I am neither q prophet nor the son
OF prophet, predict, as the final result,
that either our free school system will be
overthrown or its enemies brought In sub
isctiou to the government under which
they live. And as the struggle is upon Us,
every one who loves the institutions be-
queathed to us by our fathers and which
are to-day the joy and pride of every truly
American citizen. should be ready to rise
up if need be aud protect our schools from
the interference and control of those who
seek their overthrow"
Mr.. Dryden was applauded at numerous
points In his address. After he had An
ished short addresses we're made by Rev.
S. E, Jones. Rev. E II. Dornblaser, Rev.
King, DR.. Ulrich, DR.. J. H. Pipes and DR..
BIaisdell
The choir then sang 1.-THE Swallows
Welcome" after which the audience was
dismissed Those who had not previously
made tour of the building, then did so,
and il was the admiration Of all, the
verdict being that is is undoubtedly the
most perfect and finest structure of the
kind in the city.