Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-29
Daily ytaaebsf aoarnaL.
PRESENTATION DAY
Continued from page ~

IVA questions have produced, What Ii
this apparently simple but really intense
iv complex manifestation of energy which
we call life? What are its beginnings.
where Is its source. what and where is
its end? and what Is death. II death there
he il death Is death and not some yet
10 be explained higher form OF life Iii
seems the end of all, but seems may nor
be is and SO the way is open to doubt
nu,stion. and mystery.
This is the problem of universal interest
from the time when the first mind was
developed to the point Of the comprehen-
sion of mystery, to the present day. The
nrominent part which 1T must ever PLAY
IN earthly affairs effectually prevents il
eyer being for long forgotten.
II is she omnipresent possibility, the
sometime necessity which all men recog-
nize and dread. Dread because 1t seems
TO set an impossible boundary to ambi-
ton: TO be end OF all human endeavor.
whether right or wrong. there exists in
the mind of man the instructive feeling
that he exists for something more thar
The little he can accomplish here; that
he has claim upon more than these few
hr.ief years of life. that time past and to
come are his by right. II net eternity it.
which seems 10 oefraud him of his own.
strong are the efforts. countless the
methods which have been exerted in the
mower For man ever long to press their
way down through the echong halls OF
RS future ard set their names, far in
advance, a beacon light for ages yet TO
come. Kings and princes in the past
have taxed their subjects 10 the verge of
noyerty have brought tributary nations
INTO forced servitude. in order that they
might build for themselves lofty and EN-
during monuments, by which their name
and fame might be preserved IRONS de
struction. Their names are gone. Hlhe
story OF their deeds is but an idle tale,
and only the ruins of their stupendOus
monuments remain, mournful token OF
up Painters and sculptors have given their
lives to ceasless toll; have produced mas
ter-pieces of transcendent beauty of ma
jesty and said 10. here my name shall!
be preserved. The marble has crumbled
to dust. the colors are faded. the canvas
torn and the name is-where?
Men like Napoleon have risen in the
world filled with the power of restless
ambition have blazed their names upon
have run their course and passed away.
A fading memory remains; year by year
as time passes it grows more dim and in
Not often by such means as these is
lasting fame TO be bought. More fire.
qnently it comes to the enc who walks
quietly day by day the path of duty. 1t
f,,ue5 to men like George Washington.
who gave himself. body and soul, to the
attempt 10 deliver an oppressed people.
As long as the United States of America
remains an independent nation. so long
shall his name be held in love, respect,
and grateful remembrance II comes g
men like Abraham Lincoln. who dared
do The thing he believed though at the
expense of his own life. and so long as
the spirit of freedom remains IN tns
4 world the names OF Lincoln ana Hperty 81
hand in hand.
Frequently ii comes to men who live
their daily life quietly and unassunlns'
ly little known by the world. but VINO
like Gardner Colby. TO whom we all oNs
50 much, devote the results of 4 HIS )
labofs to purpose,at theiesilits q wllict
call him blessed.
wonder hall ard read in letters OF gold
fqI, Ia nf 1t the OF those
who fell lighting for justice. liberty ans
eauality Shall their names be forgotten,
An MOI Even now in countless homes
throughout this fair land they are neto
in loving memory. The rusty sword upof
the wall is pointed 10 with pride, and now
and then the faded coat of blue. pefhal'
with the bloodstained rent at che breast
is taken rcverently from its resting place
and bedewed with sacred tears.
These men have lived and their memory
rests like a benediction upon us VINO re-
main II may be that they have &c
feated death. but after an it matters Ut
tie Duties come to us only IN the pres
ont Leave the future until it comes, foi
then it will bring with il its own work
These men have lived. done their wort
and passed away. Their vacant place.
must be filled by us who remain. NeVel
in the history of the world mas diler &, p ~,
greater call for true men me 80. ~.
less tiercely contested, and the man o.
courage and of strength of purpose Is th'
one who wins the day. CO.,
the world opers TO us and The confilc
must begin. Live your life iheh eainS :
" faithfully for all that life contains
The present Is the only thing that shoult
concern US If at the last we can COL
front the problems of life and deatn VII
n calm sense of duty done, 1t VIII matiei
Httla to rs whether our names stdnu II
the future or not. The future mas ~
fears for the one who rests, coailIIen -; -
his own power TO meet and gFapplG "i'i
whatever problems It may present hif'i'
For death is rest. if it be notnirle more more
Less il can never be. and life's strang'
guest, ..,. ~ hreas.
Forever troubling, peeping at 0he u lisi,,o
of her frail prison. musing on the snoie
OF some fair realm, in which sae Hiish
be biest ,,, :,
Must find. at least, dreamiess houf v
If not some conscious calm. unknown be
fore.
IF then the change be more than it ap
And if indeed the land we do nc; see -.
Outshines our hope, no cause nave
Amidst the drifting of the phantom, years
Sweet is the dream OF imnofiai's'
Miss Alice Lena Cole was the Gas
poetess and she presented a gem
verse that won for her the quick MANI
of the crowd and an appreciative smhe
Miss Cole has made a reputation u
Colby by her verses and the audience
today, expected something rare ali'
they were not disappointed PERHAPS
in future years at other con'neiice
ments. while the graduates are sinsiiie
the praises of Colby's sons theS hla'
have opportunity to sing OF the Ialiie
the poetess of '9S. The poem ioiiofs7
A Siren Voice.
Long long ago. when nodding, nllik
white daisies , los,
Were peeping shyly from the dew levy, raa
And buds were telling young Auioi"
praises, - ~.
A child was born to Summer ana IN
Sea.
The sailor. outward bound, has ne er es
pied her, ,,a,,.
Nor yet the fisher in his vagrant "a IN n
But oftentimes men think they nave ies
cried her ao,l
\ Just as the dusk is deepening 70 aa' ~