Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-06-26
Address by Hon. henry 5. Walker, of West
Virginia.


Virginia.
On Tuesday night of last week, at the
annual celebration of the Mu Sigma Rho
and Philologian Societies of Richmond Col
lege, by invitation, Hon. Henry s. Walker,
of West Virginia, delivered the address of
the occasion. On being introduced by
Mayor Ellyson, he announced as his theme
"The Opportunities of the Scholar as Citi-
zen of the Republic" and proposed to
present various questions of general impor-
lance which are now prominent in public
thought, and in some of which are involved
in no small degree the order of society, the
happiness of the people, and the perma-
nence of good government
In discussing his subject the speaker said:
Serious consideration is being given by
thoughtful men everywhere to the dangers
arising from the degeneracy of modern poll
tics. But few weeks ago, upon the occa-
sion of the centennial of the American re-
public, distinguished prelate of one of our
most conservative religious denominations,
speaking in the presence of national digni-
taries and eminent representative men from
every State in the Union, boldly contrasted
the corrupt and debasing conditions of the
present with the chaste examples and H.
lustrious careers that adorned the early his.
tory of the Government. In the name of
pure religion and public virtue he denounc-
ed the foul and perilous methods prevailing
in the political movements of the day. The
hearty public response to Bishop Potter's
exposure of great national evils shows that
the masses of the American people have not
lost their appreciation of the duty and dig
nifty of exalted station nor their concern for
the decenoy and purity of political life.
FOR PURITY IN POLITICS.
The publication of our politics is essential
to the existence of free government. The
immense power and continued aggressions
of corporations are forcing themselves upon
popular attention and exciting serious ap-
prehension for the safety of public interest.
1t was never contemplated in the infancy of
our corporation policies that the day would
come when corporate agencies would aspire
to the control Of governmental and political
affairs. But the developments in these d.
rections have aroused the public mind, and
the conflict between corporate enoroaohment
and popular rights is inevitable in the fu-
ture.
THE SCHOLAR OF THE SOUTH.
In no partisan or sectional spirit | desire
to present to you the GROWING opportunity
of the scholar of the South as it arises in
connection with the maintenance of the ex-
allied character, the preservation of the good
name of the people who are his brothers in
blood and his kindred in destiny. A states
man of the North speaking in the United
States Senate declared that there were
cherished in the South as nowhere else the
distinguishing qualities of public honor and
personal integrity. Men were valued for
the clean lines of their lives, and the recti-
| tude of their motives, and the unsei6sh Ser
vice they gave to their States and to the
country.
| DUTY AND DEVOTION.
The best traits of southern character find
fitting illustration in the fidelity OF the
southern people to present duty and their
devotion to the illustious names of the past
| They have re established the foundations
of national prosperity upon the wrecks OF
their former greatness. They have given
their country beauty for ashes and the oil
of Joy for mourning and the garment OF
praise for the spirit of heaviness. In the
midst of their restored prosperity and rising
greatness they cherish with undying affec-
ton the virtues and sacrifices Of the loved
and the lost. 1t isimpressive thought,
gratifying in its bearing upon the coun-
try's future, that the people who are thus
faithful to the memory of the dead can new
or be false to their obligations to the living.
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC.
The republic stands to day without peer
on earth. In the grandeur of her material
resources, in the majesty of her physical
strength in the different intelligence of her
people, in the lustrous lexieons of honor
there is no term or title worthy to be CON-
pared with the proud synonym of American
manhood, the citizenship of the republic. 1t
represents the faith of the patriot, the hope
of the oppressed; it stands for the Declare.
ton of Independence implanted in human
hearts and bearing precious fruit 10 love Of
country and in love of fellow man. Its i'm.
pulses fill the breast of philanthropy with
sympathy for the down.tIodden, wherever
they may toll and suffer. In.the heart-sick
ness of exile, in the darkness of the dun
geon, it's inspiration rises like radiant au-
gel of deliverance, soothing the sorrows Of
mankind in bonds, coming in dreams to sci
the lonely prisoner FREQ.
| 1t gives to written constitutions all theil
worth.
| 1t takes free government out of the realm
of disputation and of doubt and gives il
form and substance, local habitation and g
| name.
The sublime citizenship of the republic
| To all who rest their faith in human
progress on mans ability to rule himself
to every starving human soul, yearning fol-
liberty with the unappeasable hungering o.
hope; to the lovers of the race everywhere
and to the innumerable multitude looking
onward and upward with eyes afiame, witt
| "The desire of something afar
| From the sphere of its SORROWS"
| it is the focus Of intenssst solicitude, the
central object of universal pride and con-
fdence and joy, and to it comes the greet
ing of cheering, loving, trusting world
| Our hearts. cur hopes, our prayers. our tears
| Our faith triumphant DER our fears.
| Are all with Thee-are all with Thee"