The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-19

but rather the termination OF q new
thought centuries alone could fully un-
fold. Itwas that vision out from which
came a history enriched by the names
Of Joseph. Moses. Joshua. Samuel, Da-
vid, Solomon, Elijah, Isaiah, Paul and
beyond them all. the Man Of Gallilee.
The Temple at Jerusalem, with its rich
architecture and splendid -adornments:
a people with the highest principles OF
ethics: the most equitable laws of so
ciety and rich literature, was dug
out of the valley of the Euphrates.
Athens, with its temples, its affairs, its
sublime sculpture, its philosophers, its
orators. its poets, and its immortal life
in the thoughts and feelings of all that
is best among us, was but point in hu-
man progress from degraded brutal
ism to a divine life.
And so the centuries have been one
grand march of progress. Truth Is
ger1ninal," and a thought or an inn
pulse born in a single soul has grown
into nations; the exploit of a daring
seaman has turned the whole trend OF
history; and the writing of a single
book has hurled to the ground the old
est institutions.
Living as we do in this vast country,
and amid the benedictions of all that
is+best in the past, we are likely to for
get that America has blotted out many
of the impediments to human advance
ment. New England burnt witches in
the name Of truth; whole race of peo-
pie were driven into the iungles Of the
wilderness, and we'll nigh exteTnfnat-
ed; and human flesh was a commodity
Of trade. But a better feeling has
grown up among us. Puritanism has
fallen before deeper sympathy and
larger faith, and philanthropy has
blessed the Indian. The naked wretch
es taken from the forces of Africa and
sold to Southern planters, have been
clothed and developed into preachers,
teachers, congressman, bishops and
doctors. We have come to an age in
which Caesar and Napoleon would be
out Of job; an age when castles are
curfosities and individualism a crime.
1t has been reached after slow and tedi-
Gus growth. Guizot counts the steps
OF Providence by centuries. Yet the
goal has not been reached. Politicians
may not know what to do, but other
men are not so helpless. and the world
will go forward even while Congress is
in session. The Southern fields are be-
ing torn by the pillow and the hopeful
whistle of the plowboy is sublime and
more prophetic than the eloquence Of
confused Senators. Let pessimists howl,
this is world of destiny, and the shout
Of triumph will yet greet the dawn Of
final peace and perfection. This is the
story that history tells US.
Here DIR, Kilgo noted the results of
medical progress as it has affected so
ciety, and society has affected it.
The growth of society has been de-
termined by the growth of the right
idea of the true value and Dig
nifty of man. No civilization has been
deeper and richer than its idea of man.
Laws and institutions have all had
their birth in it. War. slavery, inn
purity, tyranny and murder have been
swept before a growing value of hui
man life. The height of human yalua-
ton is apparent in the multitude of
institutions of learning and for the
preservation of men, The spirit of
Democracy is recognition Of human
dignity, and philanthropy is the an
swer TO a truer view of man. Every
item of the progress of your science
has been inspired by its growth. The
larger liberty accorded you lis
deeper love and reverence that all men
feel for each other. If it is true that
we are in the midst of revolution,
as some say we are, it is but the strug-
gle of humanity toward higher ex-
altation. The theme of the novelist,
the social philosopher, and the pulpit,
is the outcast of society. Vast organi-
cations are at work to redeem them
Society has received true vision of
humanity and the dawn of new life
is already breaking in the skies.
There is enough in man, considered
in himself, TO commend him to the
honor and reverence of all. Viewed
as a material fact he is differentiated
from other animals by individual fea-
lures, but resting on basis Of com
mon law. Yet in many respects his
physical nature indicates a superiority.
The body reaches its supreme value in
the voice; and the voice is grandest in
music. / have heard the plantation
songs Of the untaught Southern maid
as she returned from the spring at
evening tide, and as the notes foated
on the air Of the dying day she rose
in hallowed thought to an angels
place.
But man reaches his supreme dignity
and worth in consciousness. Here he
attains the acme of life expression.
In consciousness man transcends
the material. No mechanical instru-
ment has yet discovered it, yet it dis
covers all else; no philosophy has been
able to define it, yet it enters into the
definition of every thing; no physio
logy has been able to explain il, yet
it explains all things; no analysis has
yet marked out the line where
quivering nerve becomes a conscious
fact, yet they all reach that high realm.
In it abide the elements Of thought,
feeling and willing Tn these it as
serts great liberty. II is not passiyity,
for it reacts upon everything, and with
great freedom constructs new facts out
of old material
Take it in thought. Call man a
thinker, and what a new region opens.
With few well fixed principles as the
basis he baoiue n mighty aaaapt and