Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-06-02
WHITTIER?

Tenn, read at commencement eXercis-
es of G. F. College, Wednesday eve-
ming, May 3Oth, 1888:
There is an irresistible force in
nature that impels forward all OBJ
jects of creation, from the tiniest ami
malcule to the countless worlds and
suns revolving in space. Weendeav-
or through the agency Of our senses
to discover Whittier, and are only
answered by the hooking echo,
"Whither?" We direct our vision
into the Future through the magnify
ing power of Reasons telescope, but
fail to make the discovery, and as we
behold this never-ceasing panorama
of Nature drifting by us, on and on,
and falling in constant stream into
eternal obscurity, our minds become
dazed. In q delirium of frenzy we
cry out, "Whither, oh whittier are
We bound?" Often at that happy
period when / was being transformed
from innocent childhood into ro-
mantle maiden, have 1 wandered
along the grassy haunts of bab-
bling brook that rippled past the
old homestead and watched the
wavelets leap in joyful glee from
rock to rock, and the never ending
ripples as they snatched kiss from
a glistening sunbeam that peeped
through an open window in the dense
foliage, and then another scamper on
in hot pursuit of those that had gone
on before, l would stand and muse,
"Whither are We bound in such hot
haste" Then ever and anon my at
tention would be arrested by sprin-
kle of leaves from an over-hanging
sycamore, floating on the wings of a
passing zephyr and gently lighting
on the bosom of the stream, and as
they would take up their line of
march my fancy would picture
some couple drifting together as
boon companions and peacefully
floating down the stream of Time.
At thattime my thoughts extended
no further than the fantastic repre-
sensations of romantic miss, and my
senses were delighted or panied as
the creations of my imagination re-
called my hopes or fears. And now
as l recall the scenes from the hallow-
ed precincts of Memory's vaults, see
racing wavelets and drifting leaves,
a symbolic representation of all Crea-
ton. 1t matters not what channel
of thought the mind may traverse, or
upon what object it may alight, it is
ever confronted by the puzzling
question, "Whither drifting?"
Unanswered Interrogation points
tremble on every sprig of grass,
CLEAN in every gem, ride upon the
white-crested waves in their race for
the shore, sigh upon the hayward
winds, simmer in the mighty stars,
enthrone themselves upon the clouds,
entomb themselves in the solemn
memories of the past. They mount
the chariot of Hope, they rush into
the serpentine paths of the lightning,
they plant themselves as foot-stones
to every grave. Standing upon the
great thoroughfare of Thought, Ac.
ton, Feeling, we ask each and all OF
creations activities, "Whither, old
Nature, with your rolling worlds?
Whittier, Time, with your manifold
record? Whittier, we ships, We rolling
engines? Whittier, We ardent, youthful
lovers? Whittier, Dye souls, with i'm
mortality cleaning in your head
lights ? Whittier, o emighty armies
of the dead with your countless mil
lions?" knowledge, the key thai
unlocks the doors of the bidder
treasures of the earth, sea and sky
that can make unseen agencies sub
servient to its will, when interroga
ted, gives no response. With a feel
ing of desperation we call to our aid
Imagination. With a speed NOR
swift than lightning she penetrate
and explores the secret chambers o
.. the future and returns wearied, eX
' hausted, speeches..
Omy dear comrades, We who ar
now passing Mt. Curriculum wit
!, pride swelling high in your bosoms
e ladened with bright hopes and antici
, pations, with your blood fevered ant
| your brows flushed with the frs
blush of victory, Whittier are y
' bound? Are you travelling tn
highway that leads to Honor, Fame
Distinction, to Health and Power
Y