The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-30
GOV. TooLE's SPEECH.
A Happy Effort Which just Fitted the Oc-
caSlOn.

Taking his Itand on the musicians plat
form, as the others had done, he delivered
one of his characteristic speeches, which al
ways seem to Just fit in. He was received
with applause. which was literally distrib-
uted throughout his remarks. He said:
Every one is ready to admit in the pres
ence of this company that most all of the
wise things that have been said are to be
found in the STANDARD school books but
l will be pardoned, am sure, if the occa-
SIGN has suggested to me citation from an
older, if not more reliable authority:
"Wisdom hath builded her house: she
hath hewn out her seven pillars; she hath
killed her beasts; she hath mingled her
wine; she hath also furnished her table.
s'She hath sent forth her maidens; she
crieth upon the highest places of the city.
for him that wanteth understanding. she
saith to him, come cat my bread and drink
of the wine which have mingled
You have honored us by a generous re-
Spouse to our invitation, and while we are
proud of your presence, will not Cypress
you with the idle fenfaranade which such
an occasion sometimes invites.
The Queen City of Montana, nesting
upon the bosom of the majestic mountain
that bears her name. famous alike for her
Maidens fair and gallant men.
Golden sunsets and golden sands.
has given you cordial welcome. As cit
izen and servant of the state, gladly join
ure. Your mission is honorable and your
zeal ia inspiring. Your presence and your
purpose are pregnant with great import for
those who would be wise in their genera
tion."
They emphasize the maxim of the stu
dent, "labor est ipse voluptas,' and admon-
ish us that wisdom does not descend from
father to son like lands, tenements and her
editaments by inheritance. 1t il not gar
nered for gold, leased for love, or won at
wager. 1t does not spring forth spontane-
ously, but comes by accretion, growing, ex-
the genial influence of sunshine, air and
moisture. The physical conditions by
which these essentials are applied cannot
be disregarded.
In order to secure the best harvest the
seeds must be sown in the 'springtime Of
exposed to the lair of freedom" aud irri-
gated with that true 'Pactolian Water that
comes by tho 'sweat of patient labor
Your profession, like most of the others,
has kept pace with the mighty strides of
American progress.
ventive genius, stimulated ambition and
eminent learning there il no place for me-
diocre ability.
The highest order of talent ia everywhere
in demand. Veneering no longer passes
for solid wood.
place of wisdom, The indolent, the indif-
ferent and the sIuggatd drop out of the pro-
oession, or fall defenseless beneath it. You
stand here as sponsors for the state. her
tireless and vlgilant sentinels, the expo
nents Of her wisdom In committing US ire
vocably to the public school system.
By the concefsuH Of opinion based upon
close observation and long experience. our
system Of public schools, although IL has
not attained perfection. is the most COM
plete and capable OF exertinR the greatest
good to the greatest number of any similar
peculiarly an American system. Il is the
safe repose of the citizen, the indispensable
condition of our constitution, and the
beacon light of a nation whose power and
psrpetuity are made to rest upon the con-
sent Of the governed. The whole system
watched with the most jealous solicitude is
committed largely to your keeping.
II under your fostering care and influence
it shall grow and expand to the proportions
OF our just expectations, there will be
corresponding compensation in tho fact
that your name and fame will be COmmen-
surate with its achievements.
Aside from this you will have justified
the confidence reposed in you by the public.
! have no fear for the future with these
interests in your hands.
have been passive, but interested OBJ
server OF your proceedinRs from year to
year, and have noted the enthusiasm and
energy which have attended your delibera-
tions. What have seen preveriies the
prediction that you are destined to prove a
tower of strength in moulding the thought,
and shaping the policy of the state in the
years to come. Certain it is that your in
huence will be wide spread ana far reach
ing in that direction. We are accustomed
to boast of the richness of our mines of
gold, silver, lead. copper ana iron. We talk
giibly of our rank ranges, fat cattle, fast
horses. fine flocks, fertile fields. fabulous
forests, majestic mountains, sunny skies,
wonderful waters, and still more wonderful
ledsn from the tropics. and known to us
the blessed Chinook; but these alone do
not constitute state. National wealth is
not the only standard of greatness, nor the
"sunum bonum" of the citizen. l. aniel
was once called upon by mighty king to
repeat and interpret a forgotten dream.
The prophet declared that the vision which
the king had seen in the night, and which
he had vainly attempted to re-
call, bodied forth a colossal figure.
the head of which was of gold.
the arms and waist of silver, the rest Of the
body of brass, the legs of iron and clay. We
are told that stone cut from the noun
tain dashed down against it and ground il
to pieces, and the wind blew against il and
1t was seen no more.
This formidable figure mounted upon
pedestal of copper fringed with lead does
not inaptly represent the principal resources
that decorate our state, but these will not
satisfy the states demands. Something
else must be added or we shall not be I'M
like a certain Roman maiden who fell
victim to the weight of her own ornaments.
The true test of human greatness is found,
not in riches alone. but in the intellectual
ity, the morality and the patriotism of the
people. the boys and tho girls, the men and
the women of the state.
1t is yours to inculcate and maintain
these public virtues in a great measure in
your capacity "a teachers. To this end the
state will not only lend you it's sympathy
and encouragement, but will bring to your
support its mllnifoent fund of land and
money. With all these favorable condi-
tions shall be surprised il there does not
60 forth from this superb mountain land
citizenship peerless and priceless, whose
voice will be heard, and whose influence
will be felt Whenever the state needs q
champion, or the nation defender,
trust the time will not be long delayed
when our state university, agricultural col
lege and school of mines shall be part of
the permanent institutions of the state. I