The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-03-07
A. T. BUTTONS GRAFTON.
Prospects of a Brighter Flu
ture" Discussed by Him at
the Oratorical Contest.

Austin I. Buxton at the intercollegiate ora
torical contest, held at Forest Grove, Febru
ary 22nd, in which he was awarded secon
into consideration In determining the result
The originality of the essay, the manner il
which it was written, and the style in whic
it was delivered. Mr.. Buxton received tn
his Grafton shows more originality than tina
of his successful opponent, Miss Veazle, it
construction must have been considered it
weak point. Both compositions are replet
with lofty thought and shine with rhetori
cal brilliancy Mr.. Buxton rehearses tn
condition of a, nation tottering upon tn
verge of social and financial disru ption
Miss Veszie, in grand burst Of eloquenee
portrays the man who is the embodiment o
all that is necessary to cope with such ;
condition, and completes the recital which
Mr.. Buxton has so ably begun.
By the grandest, the bravest, and the
profoundest political document ever signed
| by the representatives. of a people, the
colonial patriots, nearly one hundred and
twenty years ago. brought into existence a
new nation. new constellation, embody-
ing principles which, while not entirely new,
were now more bravely and fully declared
than ever before, was given to the political,
heavens. Experimental though it was, and
contrary to all the then existing ideas OF
government. the attempt was grand sue.
cess, and history h,s proved the wisdom and
immortal courage of its origin.tors. Its devel-
opment has not been without struggles;
| for grave questions have arisen and obstacles
have presented themselves, threatening at
times to block all the wheels of progress,
and uproot the foundations that had been
established at so great cost. But through
it ali the little nation struggled on, and has
at last arisen to place of pre-eminence
among the nations of the earth. Aud now,
after passing successfully through so many
trying ordeals, shall this, the grandest
achievement of the ages, end in failure? No.
The pessimists would have us behevs that
every cloud that drifts across the horizon of
SOCiAi Or pouSlcdI WeilaTo Is Gue PRECURSOR VI
impending dissolution, but it is not true,
There are, indeed, grave and perplexing
questions confronting the nation; social vices
which must be Graduated; political corrup-
tions, deep,ssated and pernlcious, which
must be stamped out; and commercial evils
which demand immediate and judicious
treatment. But despite all gloomy fore
bodings, behind the dark clouds of today is
hidden the bright bow of promise for bet
ter tomorrow.
To believe that patriotism and interest in
the public welfare are declining, and make
no effort to prevent it, is to be traitor to
an age of personal interests; the contest for
wealth and lf-aggrandizement has per-
meated every branch of industry and saint
ed all social relations. But scorn to be-
lieve that the spirit of loyalty TO our coun-
try is dead; that the principles for which
our fathers fought will be soon forgotten.
During oil the period of the nations exis. ),
tence there always have been brave spirits
ready to fight and die for the perpetuation
of the principles of civil and religious lib
erty. These principles are still dear to
every liberty loving heart; they are as
bread as humanity, and appeal to all man
kind; therefore, when they are endangered,
patriotism rises above self, and the roll, call
of the nations defenders is answered from
every valley and mountain side, from the
storm. beaten coast of Maine to the golden
gates of the west. Every true citizen should
feel that the countrys interests are his own;
for when the country as a whole is pros
porous, prosperity finds its way to the door,
yard of every household in the land. Not
withstanding the fact that in late years
adversely has laid its lenden hand upon all
classes; that social disorder and commercial
ruin have stalked abroad; that the country
has been brought face to face with conditions
more critical than anything it has exper-
fenced since the close of the civil war; and
has seemed, indeed, to be driven almost to
the verge of anarchy, yet the nation has
emerged triumphant from the struggle, and
only stronger for the trials through which it
passed. While the great financial crash of
1893, the continued commercial depression,
and the spirit of cialland.industrial unrest
which moved all classes, and finally culmi-
mated in the great railroad strike, like angry
clouds for time darkened the heavens, and
seemed almost to shut out the life-giving
rays of the sun, prosperity" yet in the
hour of supreme peril, the patriotism and
wisdom of the American people proved
equal to the emergency, and in COM
paratively short time peace and quiet, JUS
tice and equity, were restored throughout
the length and breadth of the land. Great
as was the panic, and universal as has been
the depression, still they not without
their benefits. Such reverses only serve to
mark the points where mistakes have been
made, and teach healthful lessons for the
future. They tell of dangers that are with
in, and thus make 1t possible to guard against
them.