St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-31

DaVtUSon, Judge Hickman. Hon. Moses
E. Clapp and Judge Willis all made re-
marks appropriate to the occasion. and
complimentary to the principal, the
work Of the school and the pupils.
The address by the principal of the
college, c. c. Curtiss. here given, was
much enjoyed. Mr.. Curtiss said;
My Friends-You have been invited
to celebrate with us the fifteenth ami
verSary of the establishment in your
midst of the Curtiss Commercial col
lege. AS one having prominent con-
nectIon with this Institution since its
inception; as having been, in fact, it's
prof, ctOr and originator, it would prob.
ably be best that [ should have the
least possible TO say about its work,
about its struggles, its laborS, its fall
ureS and lis triunphS. But We all know
how garrulouS one is prone to be over
the virtues of his or her own offspring.
1t seems to all of you who have reached
middle life, aud have reared families.
tiIat i'll the very nature of things there
must be something little more than
excellent in your particular children
You have watched with fondness and
affection the first early attempts
of each infant to walk. to express his
x
life. You have guarded each one from
the dangers that lie concealed from its
inexperience. You have wept when
one has stumbled; you have triumphed
In their successes; you have fought the
battles OF each until each was armored
IN his own mature strength to fight his
own battles with the world.
There Is similarity in the develop
ment of an institution of this character
with the evolution of family. This
college is at one and the same time a
private enterprise pushed for gain and
public institution hiding within its
receSses the largest prospective helpful
ness for its pupils and patrons. 1t re-
celveS no aid from the state, from the
city. nor from private generosity.
Hence 1t must be a creator of wealth or
it must cease to exist: because teachers
must be paid and all the iunumerabie
little army of expenses promptly and
honorably met.
But, if it is conducted solely With a
view to the money it will make, and
regardless of other aud higher consider
atlOns. it will fail, and it should fail. In
all educational influences there is a
spiritual element, which must build its
temple toward the stars or sink back
ward into oblivion. Tue commercial
college is one of the chief educators of
this country and this generation. This
is an age of trade, of enterprise, of
material creation. We are constructing
the temple of new and heretofore
untrled civilization The curriculum
of this school is larger than bookkeep-
Ing or penmanShip, or commercial law,
or StenOgraphy, or business methods -
larger than all of these combined--or
else, my friends, it Is not worthy of
your patronage. 1t is our task to i'm
press, gradually, perpetually, persist
emily, lnsiStently, increasingly, lessons
OF business morality, business prompt
ness, commercial righteousness, finan-
ciai rectitude. 1t is ours to demonstrate
algeDraicaily to the maturing minds we
are striving to guide that faiseness to a
trust, while misdemeanor against
society, is high treason against the soul
OF the perpetrator himself. 1t is ours
70 show by precept and example that
there is no capital so imperishable in
any kind of business as the divine re-
serve fund of high character, of incor-
ruptible recuitude, of answering hon
eSty.
My friends, must not make speech,
others whose profession it is to talk
have been Invited to do that. Our work
for fitteen years is before you. Ii that
will not speak for us, then we stand
before the bar of public opinion without
an adyocate-defenSeleS Your pres.
epce here, and the presence of these
honored citizens upon the platform, ell
courages all connected with the schvol
to think that the Curtiss Commercial
has not been an entire faiiure-prumpts
us also to hope tina. we shall continue to
receive your encouragement so long as
our methods and our labors meet your
approval.
And now. my friends, will not de-
tain you longer with any remarks of my
own, as there are many well-known
speakers present who have kindly con.
sented to honor the college by address
ing you Oh this our anniversary.
But, i'll introducing the gentleman
who will preside, cannot refrain from
calling your notice to the fact that he is
one of the historical characters of onr
great commonwealth. Filled with the
courage and vitality of youth, ne be.
came identified with Minnesota when
st. Paul was struggling village, and
before Minneapolis was christened. He
has ably assisted in making and inter.
preting the laws of our state; and when
our frontier was ablaZe with the
fires of barbarous warfare, and
innocent women and children were be-
ing ruthlessly murdered. it was upon him
that the responsibilities of leadership
fell-to him all turned as their natural
and inevitable leader, because of his in
telligence and his courage.
Did | speak of all his admirable quail
tiles as a citizen and man, L might be
accused of desire to f1atter, hence |
refrain. 1t now becomes my pleasurable
office to Introduce Hon Charles E. Flan-
| drau, who will preside over this meet
| ing.
Mr.. Cnrtiss also read several congrat-
ulatory letters from the following gen
| tlemen: Hon. George p. Wilson, DR..
| Wayland Hoyt, Irwin Sheppard, Supt,
w. w. PeDdergast and ii. L. Hall.