Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1894-07-12
PROFESSOR ]. 7. coAD's ADDRESS
At
CHARLOTTE HALL JULY 4th, 1894.

CHARLOTTE HALL JULY 4th, 1894.
/ have u lively sense of the honor con-
ferred on me in being invited to address
you this evening. 1t is q compliment u.s.
ualiy bestowed on one not a member Of
our Society, nor connected with the school,
and hence must, as have done, acknowl-
edge the privilege Of being invited TO ad
dress the Washington and Stonewall Socie-
ty and its friends assembled here this even
ing. In looking around for topic upon
which 10 submit a few remarks, / found
this one as well suited 10 the occasion -
The influence of the Debating Society upon
the lives of its members, having especial
reference 10 the good work of this time
honored Association that now have the
honor of addressing.
In setting out, l beg leave to say that
each and every one of us, is pr0Ed Of his
membership in the Washington and Stone
wall Society; he feels pride in her past. a
glory in her present, and an abiding hope
in her future The attachment felt Tor her
by both members and ex members is pro-
verbal. The old man, who has travelled
far down the vale of years, who has touched
the great srhere Of experience at almost
every point, who has seen the roseate hues
Of youth pass into the blazing noontide of
manhood, and finally melt into the glori-
Gus setting Of happy old age, surrounded
by honor, love, obedience, troops offriends,
hearing young men speak Of their connec-
ton with the W. and S. s., old memories
begin to throng in his brain, fancy wings
her flight back through the years, fond re-
collections seek expression, and hear him
with a touch of pathetic pride in his voice
say: Il too, boys, was once a member OF
that old association" l see the man of
middle age who has began to realize that
life Is not altogether comedy, fighting the
good fight, endeavoring 10 keep his course,
smiling q welcome TO the incoming guest,
while driving poverty out through the az
ter door, with heart for any fate, still pur-
suing, still acknowledgements it all his
memory still clinging 90 the ennobling as
sociatioLs of his early days,-and among
them all none are dearer than the hours
well spent in this old Society; and at the
thought he doifs his Ia. and cries: "AH
honor to tie W. and 8. Society"
The young man who has left these hal
lowed precincts for broader fields, revisits
the scene, and finds among many new faces,
few perhaps OF those who trod these grassy
slopes with him. He talks of his days at
school, his pranks, his labt RS, his sorrows,
his joys; he sees familiar haunts and recalls
old scenes. catch him finally vending
his way towards the old white house where
The w. and S. S. holds its meeting; enter
ing, he looks long and fondly around him,
and as he is drinking in the sweet nectar
of pleasant memories. hear him say !:
"God bless the w. and 6. Society"
My friends, l trust you will believe me
when say that do not exaggerate; this
feeling does exist; what is more, it does
honor to kim in whose breast ita finds
biding place. The man who has no corner
in his heart for fond memories such as we
have just recalled, Is no less than he who
has no music in his soul, fit fer treasons,
stratagems and spoils, and ill venture
to complete the comparison and say, "let
no such man be trusted"
There are, my fr;enGs, obscure social
forces daily at work around us, shaping
the destinies Of individuals, communities,
nations. The effect of these minor influen-
ces sometimes clearly discernable, but in
most instances il Is overlooked or not duly
recognized. 1T was seemingly trifiing
fact that the ancient Greeks believed them
selves 20 lie of divine origin, but that be-
lief had no little TO do in creating and
moulding and directing the irresistible spirit
that broke the Mode at Marathon and smote
the Persian in the pass of Thermopylae.
In the true sense of the word, no circum-
stance, no influence. no cause that helps TO
produce given effect is small. Even bad
influences of the Obscure kind sometimes
produce good results. Here Is en- instance.
A youth who though born of a good fami-
ly and having the most refined home in
finences. yet persisted in associating with
the roughs of New York City. His fond
parents resorted to every device to turn his
pugnacious tastes In Other directions, but
in vain; he was about 10 be given up az in
corrigible, when he was sent 10 West Point
This change was the making Of him; he
came out of that institution a changed be.
ing, and during the late war rendered bril-.
liant and valuable service TO his country.
The good influences are, Of course, the
ones that more generally guide young
mans thoughts and actions down the lines
that lead TO prominence and success 1
rsld sometime ego a striking account ofthe
reunion of an old time literary society, such
as ours, who had been separated Cor thirty
years. All had become prominent men Of
affairs, leaders in thought aud business,
public spirited citizens, men Of force in