Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-06-19


sonifies the life of each individual"
In his Grafton, "Egoism and Altruism
not Antagonistic,' Joseph T. Northon
said: "The altruist seeks the public |
good through self-sacrifice. He ac- |
knowledges no duty to self, unless il be |
10 forget, to Oblitcratc self rs Il motive. I
To act from any consideration of per !
sonal benefit or advantage, however /
desirable in itself, is TO forfeit thereby |
all possibility of attaining it. Nirtuous |
conduct is wholly at variance with amy |
action that looks To personal success. !
The egOist seeks primarily self compile
ton. He boldly maintains that the
struggle for self is Il moral struggle, for
unless one makes the most Of himself ne
is incompetent for the greatest good 10
others. To acquire wealth is TO add TO
social well-being, as well as TO personal
efficiency. Personal acquisition of
| knowledge increases the area and raises
the average of social intelligence. The
welfare of the whole is fostercd best 10y
each individual seeking the purcst and
noblest self-advancement. Whatever
improves society increases individual
opportunity"
Richard H. SidcbOtham, valcdictorian
Of the class, spoke Of Peace Through
! Conflict" He said: "There have al
ways been wars and rumors Of wars.
Nation has arisen against nation. king
dom against kingdom, for the securing
of territory, plumber and fame, or for|
the preserving of justice, liberty and
life. Although we cannot think
of cruel warfare us the ideal condition
of humanity; and although we may
feel sure that harmony and peace should
rule and hold full sway, yet 1t would be
folly TO forget that without strife and
conflict, no lasting peace can be
obtained. Our fathers loved peace
much but they loved liberty more
They labored, suffered, fought, and died
that they might secure the blessings Of
liberty for themselves and their poster
ity. And liberty having been obtained,
domestic tranquility was assured, and
Il time of peace and quiet such as they
had never known before, was ushered
in, We know that for national
peace, war must sometimes be rcSOrtcd
60. but in the moral realm there can bc
no peace except after severe and restless
conflict, X Notwithstanding
that sweet angel song, Peace on earth,
good will To men, He who was the
Prince of Peace knew that this rest
would not come to weary souls until fire
had been scattered abroad. and had been
allowed Co humble the stubborn nature
of man. And such was our blessed
Saviors' desire for the speedy coming of
His kingdom, knowing rs lie did the
| struggles which were To take place, bat
ties To be fought, the carnage TO bc
endured, that He could give uttcrance
to that cry, Il came TO cast fire upon the
earth and what will if il were already
kindlcd: And it was kiudled. Ever
ii, Inn frs
has gone ii has k.lu4cd IT, iireS %.
disscusion and hatred, and has lifted The
flames Meath many martyrs feet.
Mr.. Sidcbotham spoke OF the wars which
have been Waged for the purpose OF
mghtiug wrong and sand The con-
flicts yet to be Wagcd are many. We
have still the MOrnonS in our land:
there are yet the mighty forces Of in
temperance within Our borders; politics
have not become pure, legislation has
not lost all its corruptncSS. and corpora
tion> are still graSping and greedy. Let
the battle wage. let the banners Of
truth and righteousness he unfurlcd
in every breeze; let all the powers OF
mind and heart and muscle be eXertcd
TO bring the deadly conflict to tri-
umphant close that mercy and truth
, may meet together, and righteousness
and peace may kiss each other.
In his valedictOry address Mr.. Side
botham said: You the trustees of Alma
College, have seen much of discourage
ment and perploXity, and trial, but by
your vigorous efforts and mupiticent
gifts our college lives ana thriveS.
Except for your zeal and sacrifices and
prayers we could not Ice where We are
today But over the hill on self-denial,
q, Of, nv, la
, and the class of 80 is confident that our
college will increase its facilities and
power. and that it has but entered ON a
career OF usefulness which stretches on
before il without limit. IL is 10 the fac
ulty of Alma College that the class of
90 is especially indebted. We have
- listened to your words of instruction for
+ four years past, and some of Us have
81 been vet longer under your care. BY
YOU we have not only been taught
5 lessons OF science, philosophy, mathc-
+ MATES, languages and literature, but
we have also received from You the
t stimulus for yet further application and
: study. On us there has been left indcl-
IDLY the impress of the true and noble
t characters who have strivcn TO arouse
e within us desire for that knowledge
l. higher than the classics or philosophy,
5 that knowledge which comes from the
' never-failing fountain OF wisdom-God.
; And 10 our honored president, hearty
thanks are due. Your untiriug efforts
; ON our behalf, your solicitude for our
. general welfare, and your many lahorS
< for our Nina HUcr Will never bee forgot
g ten by us. Your instruction i'm the class
. room has been pleasant, your admoni-
= ton and council have been helpful. and
D your endeavors to direct us into higher
: and nobler paths of usefulness has left a
4 lasting impression on our characters and
+ lives We reluctantly bid YOU farwCl.
; To the members of his class, Mr. Side
: botham said members of the class OF
a 49, we wish each other true success III
. the labors TO which we are called, and
o we now 90 forth TO do our best to make
5 the world happier, brighter, and better
2 Farewell! Farewell!
Il After the valedictory, William Alex
}, ander Smith, a graduate of the Music
J., department, played Andaute OPP. III