The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-12
At EARLHAM COLLEGE.
Class Exercises and Address by Judge
ID. II. Baldwin.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
RICHMOND, Ind, June 1.-THE exercises
of the class OF 80 of Earlham were held
this morning, and were novel, interesting
and witty. The opening number was
poem by W. c. Peirce. The class history
was rehearsed by Miss Floy Rhode, and
told all the mishaps and vicissitudes of the
four years. After a song by the class re-
counting the praises OF SO the class will was
read by Mr.. F. B. Stanley, in which some
severe hits were INDUCED in against the
juniors Here a duet, entitled Ten
O'Clock" giving various dormitory expert
ences. was rendered by Messrs. Ferries and
Woodward. Just at the close of this an
4. event not on the programme occurred. in
the return OF the class banner, stolen some
months ago. A figure draped In white
hastily appeared on the stage through a
rear entrance and dropped the class emblem
on the stage and then disappeared An ex-
ceedingly well rendered address, entitled
"Auf Wiedersehen." was presented by Miss
Ida Mendenhal1. THE Seer gave forth the
future fates of the individual members of
the class.
The annual address before the literary So
OF Logansport. His theme was the Science
OF Silence" He referred to the safety of
silence in the legal profession, n CONNER
fact. In all lines Of business actiyjtv nth dfe
keeping silence about everybody's business
II. L "A IU
among other points:
THE first requisite of a good politician is
a great and. growing capacity for silence.
One great secret of politics is a sagacious,
educated, vigorous and decorated silence
livery party carries more or less of error
and trusts to its great truths and popular
ity to float Its untruths. The Democratic
party has always been weak on the subject
OF slavery, and the Republicans weak in
their subserviency to organized wealth.
When man joins a party as well as a
church he agrees to carry and condone his
share OF its errors. He can't say, will be
a Republican. but 1 cannot go high tariff :
any more than he can say, Il will be a
Baptist. but L cannot go close communion
II Is all or none. Your particular dissent
must Ia,l, be merged In the party maxim
the leaders lead and the followers follow.
OF course. 1t Is the privilege of an American
citizen to bolt his party or TO leave his
church. but this is risky business except in
extreme cases Better be silent and be safe
than chronic Joiner as they call 1t out
In Kansas. Still better, join neither party
nor church till you have learned the great
art of silence. and to fight error within
party and church and not be a guerrilla
Every master of the conversational art
knows the extreme value of brilliant flashes
OF silence; Are you talking on a subject be-
yond your depth? Be silent and be safe.
But you cannot be silent II you are the
leader. Well. you can adroitly stir up some
% %tnsT 1bn Ssy man to 90 the talking while
hrst opportunity start a discussion and d.
gression which will lead you to those safe
places where you can display your knowl-
don't soil the occasion with yourself, or
your aspirations or achievements. A silence
your pessmism and unfaith. Don't test ao iife
by your lowest, but always by your highest
water mark OF belief. Don't test humanity
have met Don't soil your neighbor's roof
by your smoky chimney. IL you can't speak
cheerfully. hopefully. buoyantly. say MOTH
Judge not. that ye be not judged, said
our Savior. We all disobey this great COM
msnd; and Gs then seek 70 for that point where
Hon. Mr.. Puff bag OF wind. and Mr.. ",
the great church leader. a humbug- Have
tribute to a healthy public opinion? That
depends II should all say what we
think and publish what We know about
Silence is the cement that holds the social
fabric together, and il we should pub
lish our real thought about each
The silent man enjoys an immense. tactical
advantage over the talker-i He judges with
out being Judged. 1t Is the easiest thing in
hours OF talk with him. Talk is the Their
mometer which measures the atmosphere in
which a man dwells. Another advantage
back what he has never said. l want now
and here 10 take of my hat and kiss the
Wisdom we never fully appreciate until no oSd
age. IL you can't speak we'll of a person,
thing or enterprise, say nothing.
Cleveland Is no public speaker, nor was
Gresham. Yet these two welded for the
last five years more influence over public,
opinion than any two men in the
United States. The secret Of good public
speech Is always To say something and
never to appear without something to say,
and then say IL the best you know how.
the end OF which the speaker had a dry
collar. James c. Blaine once told me
that he always had 10 change his clothing
after public speech AS between speaker
and hearer. let me be the hearer all the
time. While we speakers are aspiring and
perspiring. you hearers calmly seated
and saying TO yourselves. What Is that
fool making all that fuss about%
~ friend should tell friend friends In
enemies IN would learn our faults IN
Is this silence OF friendship which leads
the human family TO be distrustful OF
Its friends and friendship. Both critic and
criticised would be all the better for the
lunar caustic Of friendly and severe criti-
ctsm applied by the hands OF friends hut
alas such Is human perversity, we leave
the caustic 10 be applied by our enemies
Enemies rightly handled are friends in dis
guise. Ought the truth all times 70 he
spoken? Most emphatically no. Your COM
panion and the occasion often have no
right TO your facts or opinions sneak
nothing but the truth SO far as you go.
but there thousands OF occasions when
the whole truth Is not TO be blurted out
kYou have convictions on religious subjects
INHERENT from your neighbors. You nave
Pc supreme right to refrain from express