The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-06-29


Mathis, G. w. Pierce, ]. T. Smith,
G. A. Endress.
MASTER OF ARTS.
H. Y. Benedict, B. s., l.. G. Bugbee,
b. Lit, r. A. Thompson, b. s.
When the university Address, )"
by the Hon. s. w. T. Lanham of
} Weatherford, was announced the au-
dience plainly showed they expected
treat, and their expectations were
fully realized. His stage presence is
commanding and very pleasing and
his voice melodious and clear. He be-
gan by stating that he had all during
his life felt the misfortune of having
been deprived of thorough collegiate
education, which he sacrificed on the
altar of his country. He could not re
main at school while all around him
men were fiocking to the front
of battle. He declared, how
ever, that he would not give
up the glorious memories of those
years on the tented field for all the
education in the world. This tribute
to chivalry was enthusiastically re-
ceived and having thus won his way
to the hearts of the audience, he an
nounced as the key note of his ad-
dress
MIND THE GAP"
He said when he was a boy and
long before the days of the convenient
barb wire fence, it was the customary
thing to set some one on guard when
| the hara wora Iot doun to oaa tbo +
stray cattle did not enter. He had
often performed that duty. 1t was a
very lonesome and monotonous job,
but it was necessary. So it is through
life-many things may be tedious and
irksome and unpleasant but they may
be very necessary.
From his subject he deduced two
conclusions-1. There is something
for every one to do, and 2. Every
thing should be we'll done. AS sin.
gle instance under the first head he
declared everyone could be a gentle
man. This was the highest title on
the American continent. To attain it
was lot dependent on royal birthright,
riches, education or honor; but true
gentleman could claim to be the peer
of any one in the land.
Under the second heading he de-
nounced half-hearted work and
declared the man who shirked
his work or neglected it
belittled himself. This part of
his speech was entirely suggestive
and he left it to the future considera-
tion of his audience to carry it out into
more complete detail.
SOME GAPS TO MIND.
He then declared that all up and
down life, individual and govern
mental, there were gaps to mind, and
he proceeded to call attention to a few
of them. He paid glowing tribute
to the university and then appealed
to Legislators, executives and the re-
gents to mind the gap lest anything
preiudicial to the university creep in
to mar its Symmetrical and perfect
growth into it's very greatest useful
ness. He plead for the greatest
liberality on the part of the state to-
ward the university.
He next pointed out the wrong of
teachers in schools, colleges and
universities attempting to mould
their classes according to any partic-
ular political creed, Give your stud
ents the broadcast education, one that
will enable them to think for them
selves and determine their own politi.
cal affilliations-but mind the gap
against politics having any influence
in our state university.
He then pointed out another gap in
education to he guarded against, and
that was the incubation of any par
ticular religious belief. But while
this was true he more earnestly con-
demned any the least teaching of
atheistical views. He then turned to
the graduates and touchingly urged
them to hold fast to the old and
we'll established religious views
that had been handed down to them.
But if they would turn an attentive
ear to the wiles of the insidious des-
ciples of anti-religion and anti-God--
oh, do not let it be known until the
souls of your father and mother, who
have so yearned for your success in
life and who fret taught you to lisp
your prayers, have flown from earth to
heaven.
INDIVIDUALITY.
There was one thing he said that
ran through all life and which it was
most important to watch-indivi-
duality; and in the relm of the indi-
vidual action there must be found
ample scope for the all prevailing
word duty. Mind we'll the gap
through which might come
any inducement or seduction
that would cause you to fail in any re-
spect to answer the full requirement
Of your dutc. AS individuals making
up the com poneut parts of the world,
it is incumbent upon every man TO
stand alone, and in the line of duty
was this alone possible.
He declared that there were gaps on
sea and shore. There were gaps our
national and state government should
mind. Our national government
should guard against the encroach-
ment of anarchistic and communistic
ideas as they come across from the old
world. Our state government should
watch their state lines and mind that
no gaps are left for federal encroach-
ments. Here was cause for grave