Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-09-15

the banner of the
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 If the stepping Of a heIal-
sphere into the worlds life: four COM
pleted centuries of a new social order;
the celebration Of liberty and enighten-
ment organized into a civilization.
And while during these hours the
federal government Of these United
States strikes the keynote Of this great
American day that gives honor 10 the
common American institution which
mites rs 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
the Pinta's gun broke the silence and
announced the discovery Of this henri
sphere.
II was a virgin world. Human life
hitherto upon il had been without sig
nifcance. Ia 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 a new experiment in civilian
ton. All things were ready. New
forces had come to light full Of over
turning power IN the Old World. Ia
the New World they were to work to-
gether with a 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 10 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 stalwari
men and brave women one moment on
the shore, then disappearing in dim for.
ests. We hear the ak We see the
flame 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 Il
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 Away
triumphing. We see settlements knit
ting together into a nation with single
ness of purpose. We note the birth o
the modern system of industry and com
merce and its striking forth into I'M
dreamed Of wealth, making the million
members one Of another as sentimen
could never bind. And under it all, ans
through it 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 a period of transition. Idea
IN education. in political economy, Il
social science are undergoing reyisions
/ There is large uncertainty about tn
outcome. But faith IN the underlying
principles Of Americanism and in God
destiny for the republic makes a tirn
ground Of hope The coming centur.
/ promises to be more than ever the az
Of the people-an age that shall develo
a greater care for the rights of tn
weak and make a more solid provisio
| for the development of each indivldua
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. 80 nc man can this day reac
out ard grasp the 100 years upon whic
the nation Is now entering. On the vi
torious results Of accomplished centuris
the principles Of Americanism viii bull
our fifth century Its material progress
IS beyond orr conception. but we ma
be sure that in the social relations Z
men with men the most triumphaI
gains are 70 be expected America
fourth century has been glorious Anei
ica's fifth century must be made hAppl
One institution more than another Ia
wrought out the achievement of ii
past. and Is today most trusted for Il
future. Our fathers in their wisdoi
knew that the foundations Of hbert,
fraternity and equality must be unive
sal education. The free school Their
fore was conceived the cornerstone
the repsblic. Washington and Jeffe
son recognized that the education ,
citizens IS not the prerogative Of churc
OF Of other private interest; that whi
religious training belongs 10 the churcl
and whiie technical and higher cultui
may he given by private institution
the training Of citizens IN the commC
I u ,