Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-09-23

nation, and with
them the people are gathering around
the school house.
Men are recognizing today the most
impressive anniversary since Rome cele-
brated her thousandth year-the 400th
anniversary of the stepping of hemi-
sphere into the worlds life; four COM
pleted centuries of a new social order;
the celebration of liberty and enlighten-
ment organized into civilization.
And while during these hours the
federal government Of these United
States strikes the keynote Of this great
American day that gives honor to the
common American institution which
unites us all, we assemble here that we,
too, may exalt the free school that en-
bodies the American principle Of uni
versal enlightenment and equality, the
most characteristic product of the four
centuries of American life.
Four hundred years ago this morning
announced the discovery of this hemi-
sphere
1t was a virgin world. Human life
hitherto upon it had been without sig
nificance. In the Old World for thou
sands of years civilized men had been
trying experiments in social order
They had been found wanting. But
here was an untouched soil that lay
ready for new experiment in civiliza-
ton. All things were ready. New
forces had come to light full of over
turning power in the Old World. In
the New World they were to work to-
gether with mighty harmony.
1t was for Columbus, propelled by this
fresh life. to reveal the land where these
new forces were to be given space for de-
velopment, and where the awaited trial
of the new civilization was to be made.
Today we reach our most memorable
milestone We look backward and we
look forward.
Backward we see the first mastering
of modern ideas; their long conflict with
Old World theories, which were also
transported hither. We see stalwart
men and brave women one moment on
the shore, then disappearing in dim for
ests. We hear the ak. We see the
fame of burning cabins and hear the cry
of the savage. We see the never ceasing
wagon trains always toiling westward
We behold log cabins becoming villages
then cities. We watch the growth Of
institutions out Of little beginnings
schools becoming an educational system
meeting houses leading into organic
Christianity; town meetings growing t.
political movements; county discussion!
developing federal governments.
We see hardy men with intense con
victions graphing, struggling, Otter
amid battle smoke, and some idea char
acteristic of the New World always
triumphing. We see settlements knit
ting together into nation with single
ness of purpose. We note the birth O.
the modern system of industry and com
merce and its striking forth into un
dreamed of wealth, making the millions
mem bers one of another as sentimen
could never bind. And under it all, an(
through 1t all, we fasten on certain
principles ever operating and regnant-
the leadership of manhood; equal right
for every soul; universal enlightenment
as the source of progress. These las
are the principles that have shape'
America; these principles are the tru
Americanism
We look forward. We are consciou
we are in period of transition. Idea
in education, in political economy, il
social science are undergoing revisions
There is large uncertainty about tn
outcome But faith in the underlying
principles of Americanism and in God
destiny for the republic makes a fri
ground of hope. The coming centur
promises to be more than ever the ag
of the people-an age that shall develo
greater care for the rights of tn
weak and make more solid provisio
for the development of each individua
by the education that meets his need.
AS no prophet among our fathers O
the 300th anniversary of America coul
have pictured what the new centur
would do, so no man can this day reac
out and grasp the 100 years upon whic
the nation is now entering. On the VII
torious results of the completed centuri'
the principles of Americanism will bull
our fifth century. Its material progrel
is beyond our conception, but we ma
be sure that in the social relations
men with men the most triumphai
gains are to be expected. America
fourth century has been glorious; Anne
ica's fifth century must be made happ
One institution more than another h
wrought out the achievement of ii
past. and is today most trusted for tt
future. Our fathers in their wisdo
knew that the foundations of libert
fraternity and equality must be unive
sal education. The free school Their
fore was conceived the cornerstone
the republic. Washington and Jeffe
son recognized that tho education
citizens is not the prerogative of chur'
. or Of other private interest; that viii
religious training belongs to the churc