The record-union., 1897-10-13
WORDS OF WISDOM.
SPEECH OF SECRETARY LYMAN
T. GAGE.
An Address Listened to with
BreathIess Attention by
Thousands.

The speech delivered by the Hon.
Tvnan T. Gage, Secretary of the Treas
,1rv. at Peoria, H., on the Sth inst,
a SYNOPSIS of which appeared the fol-
lowing morning in the Record Union,
was such a noteworthy effort that we
give il here in full:
Mr.. Chairman. Ladies and Gentle
men: The occasion which brings US to-
gethar here is one so lofty in its char
ter. so far reaching in its results, as
to marit the highest and mobiles quail
ties in those who participate in its ded-
icatory service. To have been invited
to take any part therein, however,
humble, is a most honorable distinction.
The launching Of a ship, the christen-
ing or a child, excite deep interest IN
all beholders. Visions of a life not yet
lived, with all its possibilities OF stress
and storm, Of triumph or disaster, rise
in the mind to lend joyous, if pathetic,
interest to the scene. The dedication
to pOsterity of a newly created inStltu-
tion of learning, charged with ln1uen-
tial possibilities upon the life and CHAR
acter of many now living and thous-
ands yet to be, cannot be void of an
emotional interest as deeply real as
completely absorbing. The noble Wo-
man whose name we are to honor,
whose work we are here to dedicate,
has planned and executed wisely.
Not permitted to raise up the chill
dren of her own body, she Will here
nourish into happy and harmonious life
multiplied children of her heart and
brain. Endowed by her beneficence
with opportunity to acquire knowledge
and power, these viii perpetuate her
name and make honorable the men,
ory of her life and deeds. Happy they,
who If they cannot sing, can yet be-
stow the divine gift upon others; who
if they cannot create memorable works
in iron, brass or marble, can yet trans
mute the power they do possess into
creative forces in other minds. They
who come here within these walls, chill
dren of her bounty, will sing glad
songs when her tongue is forever 81
fenced. For generations, the inspira-
tions gathered here, viii find express
sion in manifold forms of use and
beauty
'The period Of time in which this
endowment comes is especially fortu-
nate. We have reached a time in our
social development when all things are
challenged, and are apt to be put under
new examinations. The authoritative
voice of religion, the long received
maXims of politics, the theories of So
cial and political economies, the inher-
tied wisdom and experience of the ages,
the basis of ethics, the origin and des-
tiny Of man-each and all are called
upon to make new answers to the in
quiries Of an icOnoclastic age. Nay,
moret Affirmative doctrines radically
destructive of long established opinion,
are freely proclaimed. while a whole
brood Of pessimlstic philosophers pro-
claim the early collapse of the social
state. This affirmation is based upon
the real or the assumed fact that in
our material progress the just rights
OF the many are being sacrificed to
the unfair advantage of the few.
The rich they say, are growing
richer. The poor are growing poorer.
Wealth is tending to concentrate into
relatively fewer hands Invention is
displacing labor. The dependence of
the masses is increasing. Things can
not go on after this fashion. The cIi-
max is at hand
IF this were all true. if the facts
alleged were facts indeed, things ought
not to go on. The climax ought to be
reached and that speedily, even if it
were to cost the obliteration of the
solar system. But the allegations are
not true, they are contrary to the nat
ural order and are at variance with
the real facts of the case
Indeed, they are impossible in a. free
state of society. know they are tier
aTG0 in most foI TIL.
press and the pulpit frequently sound
the doleful note. and belief in their
truth is taking dangerous hold of the
public mind. That such a belief. if not
justified by truth, is most pernicious,
need not be affirmed. It affirrns itself.
The public mind should be sane. not
hysterical- can not take time to refute
by an array of statistics, nor by pro-
tracted argument, the calamitous pro-
ositions to which I have referred.
Permit me to indulge in some con-
siderations which, if not conclusive in
character, may help US to suspect the
validity of the pessimistic argument It
must, however, be admitted that many
things open to common observation
seem to justify the popular opinion, now
so prevalent. Never before We're for
tunes of such magnitude brought un-
der the control of limited groups OF
men. Never before were corporate
agencies created and endowed with
such enormous capital. Never before
were enterprises in commerce, in man.
ufacturing, in transportation, of such
magnitude put into operation to affect
for good or i'll, the happiness and vel
fare Of society. Realizing the enormous
power thus exercised, the imagination
becomes affected. We become afraid
We grow hystericaL We fail to take
just account of things.
Our fathers rode in stage coaches OF
made their slow and limited journey on
horseback. All the factors in the case
were easily comprehended. To-day a
thousand locomotives, weighing each a
hundred tons. are flying over the rails
with hundreds of helpless passengers
imprisoned in coaches trailing behind
Around curves they go, over bridges
through the forests, alongside mountain
ppecipices at the rate Of fifty, sixty and
seventy miles the hour Tireless. ir-
resistible, the iron monster at the head
of the flying column leads the way. Ac-
oustomed by use, comfortable and un-
concerned, the passengers chat with
each other in happy expectation oi
speedy and safe arrival home. Why sc
unconcerned, when the malice of one