The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-09-22

Men are recognizing today the most
Impressive anniversary since Rome cele-
brated her thousandth year-the 4OOth
anniversary OF the stepping of hemi-
sphere into the worlds life; four COM
pleted centuries of new social order;
the celebration of liberty and enlighten-
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 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
she Pinta's gun broke the silence and
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 Law
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 Il 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-
velopnent, 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
ssts. 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 to
political movements; county discussions
developing federal governments.
We see hardy men with intense con-
'lctlons graphing. struggling, often
amid battle smoke, and some idea char
lcteristic of the New World always
triumphing. We see settlements knit
ing together into Il nation with single
ness of purpose. We note the birth of
the modern system of industry and COM
merce and its striking forth into I'M
dreamed of wealth, making the millions
members one of another as sentiment
could never bind. And under it all, and
through it all, we fasten on certain
principles ever operating and regnant-
The leadership of manhood; equal rights
for every soul; universal enlightenment
IS the source of progress. These last
are the principles that have shaped
America; these principles are the true
AmerlcaniSm.
We look forward. We are conscious
we are i'll a period of transition. Ideas
III education, in political economy, in
social science are undergoing revisions.
There is large uncertainty about the
outcome. But faith in the underlying
principles of Americanism and in Gods
testlny for the republic makes a firm
gpund of hope. The coming century
p4pmises to be more than ever the age
Of the people-an age that shall develop
Il greater care for the rights of the
weak and make a more solid provision
Cor the development Of each individual
by the education that meets his need.
As no prophet among our fathers on
the 3OOth anniversary of America could
have pictured what the new century
would do, so no man can this day reach |
out and grasp the 100 years upon which |
the nation is now entering. On the VIC |
sorious results Of the completed centuries
the principles of Anericanism will build !
our fifth century. Its material progress |
is beyond our conception, but we may
De sure that i'll the social relations of |
men with men the most triumphant
gains are to be expected. Americas !
'surth century has been glorious; Amer
ea's fifth century must be made happy |
One institution more than another has
wrought out the achievement of the
'ast, and is today most trusted for the
'uture. Our fathers in their wisdom
new that the foundations of liberty,
fraternity and equality must be univer-
al education. The free school there
ore was conceived the cornerstone of
be republic. Washington and Jeffer-
Oh recognized that the education of
itizens is not the prerogative of church
r of other private interest; that while
eligious training belongs to the church,
nd while technical and higher culture
nay be given by private institutions,
Ne training of citizens in the common
:nowledge and the common duties of
citizenship belongs irrevocably to the
tate.
We therefore on this anniversary Of
lmerica present the public school as
ne proudest expression of the principle
f enlightenment which Columbus
rasped by faith We uplift the system
t free and universal education as the
laster force which under God has been !
forming each of our generations with
'e peculiar truths of Americanism
-inerica therefore gathers her sous:
round the school house today as the in