Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-11-26
NO. 1877 MARKET STREET.

society; to discriminate the spirit OF liber-
ty from that Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the
first, avoid the last. and unite in speedy,
but temperate vigilance against encroach-
ments. with an inviolable respect for the
laws
His words have wrought their work not
only in the establishment of schools an
colleges, but in building and maintaining
institutions which are at once the means
of carrying on this government now and
of educating those who shall carry it on,
let US trust. for ages to come. Courts. as
well as schools. are educational. Do not
smile when tell you that after the high
school, the ward caucus, the political
meeting is a higher school. for one wiser
than I said it before me. The city council,
to which every good citizsn should belong
once is an academy. The Legislature. to
which every lawyer should go once and
no more. is q, college Congress is a uni
versity.An these institutions are educa-
tional, for tie men who enter them take
upon themselves responsibility, and re-
sponsibitfty educates fast, as Mr.. Elmer
son says.
Let me conclude in the words of another:
Since prehistoric times populations
have moved steadily westward, as De Toe
queviIe said, as if driven by the mighty
hand of God And following their migra-
tions, the course of empire, which Bishop
Berkeley sang, has westward taken it's
way. The worlds scepter passed from
Persia to Greece, from Greece to Italy.
from Italy to Great Britain, and from
Great Britain the scepter is to-day depart
ing. 1t is passing on to Greater Britain
to our mighty west, there 10 remain, for
there is no further west; beyond is the
Orient. Like the star in the east which
guided the three kings with their treas
ures westward until at length it stood
still over the cradle of the young Christ,
so the star OF empire, rising in the east,
has beckoned the wealth and power of
the nations westward, until to-day it
stands still over the cradle of the young
empire of the west, to which the nations
are bringing their offerings
Their tales of wrong and dearth-
Our fathers held by purchase,
But We by the right of birth;
Our hearts where they rocked our cradle
Our love where we spent our toll.
And our faith and our hope and our
We pledge to our country's SOIL"
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Hubbard's
address there was more music, and
then Mr.. Coniff was introduced. He
spoke as follows
Mr.. CONIFF'S GRAFTON.
I noticed in the papers a few days ago
that l was expected to say something on
this occasion about the American Flag.
A theme so fertile, an occasion so tempt
ing, task so pleasant amidst the patriot
ism that fills the air about us, I must
withal, refrain from infringing upon the
coveted lot of those who have in charge
the presentation and acceptation of this
beautiful flag, that is to occupy perma-
nent pace at the topmost pinnacle of this
monument to the zeal, self-sacrifice and
devotion of the generous souls who would
prepare young hearts, through the refin-
ing and ennobling influence Of religion,
morality and patriotism, to aspire to the
highest prizes 20 which the "last infirmi-
ties of noble minds can aspire" Much
more pleasure comes to all of us from lis
tening to these stout, brave, young hearts
here in unison chanting of the Star Span
gled Banner and from these youthful lips
the impressive words that accompany the
giving and receiving of this banner than
volumes that might be written or spoken
concerning it.
Let these young minds just now passing
through the formative period, when last
ing impressions are made upon them,
teach us to-day, and mark it as one of the
most memorable of their school days, that
one of the first and most solemn lessons
instilled into their young hearts in this
school room was respect, veneration and
love for the flag of their country, which
bears in it's folds the inspiration of a ma
ton s. birth, a nations progress and a ma
TONS destiny; which embodies in the
events which lead up to its adoption and
preservation the principles which will
guide the youth seeking correct knowl-
edge and education to every principle
which would actuate him in his relations
with his God, his country. his nefghbor
and himself. But apart from these con-
siderations, the American Flag and the
school room suggest other reflections.
One of the greatest lessons of the Rev
olution was that upon the combined vir-
tue and intelligence of the people depend
ed altogether the liberty. so dearly bought.
If peace were to claim victories no less
renowned that war; il the pen were to
prove mightier than the sword; If the
Star Spangled Banner were to fulfill the
prophecy of the times and were forever to
wave over a Tree, united anu INDEPENDENT
people then the education of our people,
and particularly the youth of our coufl-
try. upon the high plane suggested by
the struggle for freedom, had to be begun
and begun at once. 1t is to this thought
that / desire especially 10 invite your at
tention for a few moments.
1t will not be doubted that the more en-
lightened the American becomes, the more
American he becomes; the more American
one becomes the better Christian he must
necessarily be: and the better Christian
one becomes the closer he becomes welded
to tn meaning and inspiration of the
American Flag.
In our country more than in any other.
reasons of special importance urge upon
US the necessity of encoura ging and diff
fusing the advantages of higher educa-
ton. and of making it as complete and
sound as possible Human society is pass
ing through a period of deep and wide
reconstruction. Social conditions are be-
ing leveled upward. Privileged classes
are passing away, and lingering vestiges
Of caste. feudal arrogance. and autocratic
Caesarism evoke only protest and indig-
nation. Natural Inequalities cannot longer
exist In this condition OF things grave
dangers must be guarded against; but
there are also welghtly principles Of right