The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-23

invisible hand which conducts the affairs
of man more than the people OF the
United States.
EVERY step by which they have adj
vanced to the character of an independent
nation seems to have been distinguished
by some token of providential agency and
in the important revolution just accom-
plished in the system of their united gov
eminent their tranquil deliberations ana
voluntary consents of SO many distinct
communities from which the events re-
suited cannot be compared Win the
means by which most governments nave
been established without some reburh ol
pious gratitude along with an humane
anticipation of the future blessings Wnloh
the same seems to presage. Inc renee
lions arising out of the present Crisis
| have forced themselves strongly upon my
mind. You will join with me, trus5,
! in thinking that there are none under the
| influence of which the proceedings OF q
new and free government are more aus
piciously commenced.
The Senate of the United States made
fitting resnonse Of it's appreciation OF this
| nortion of the Presidents inaugural when
| its mem bers declared that "a review of
the many signal instances of Divine in
teryention in favor of the country claims
our most pious gratitude and that they
were inevitably led to acknowledge and
adore the great arbiter Of the universe by
whom empires rise ann fall. -
Congress added its sanction by prnvid-
ing that ''after the oath shall have been
administered to the President, he, at
tended by the Vice President and mem
bers of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives proceed to st. Pauls church to
hear Divine services performed by the
chaplain of Congress already appointed. J"
Not alone upon days of Thanksgiving
or times of trial should we as people re
member and follow the example thus set
by the, Fathers, but never in our future
| as nation should we forget the great
moral and religious principles which they
annunoiated and defended as their most
precious heritage. In ar age of great &C
tivity of industrial and commercial strife,
and of perplexing problems we should
never abandon the simple faith in Al
mighty God as recognized in tho name OF
the American people by Washington and
the first Congress. ~
| But If q timely lesson is to be drawn
from the opinions of Washington on his
assuming the office of President, SO also
is much practical benefit to be derived
from the present application of portions
of his farewell address, a document liz
which Washington laid down principles
which appeared to him "all-important to
the performance Of your felicity as
people, In that address Washington con
tends in part: ~ For the promotion Of
institutions of learning; co for cherish
, ing the public credit; 81 for the observ-
ance of good faith and justice toward al
nations.
One hundred years ago free schools
were little known in the United States
there were excellent schools 1or the well 81
to-do and charitable institutions for the
instructions of boys and girls without
means: but the free public schools, open
alike to the children of the rich and poor
n and. snpportedE by the state awaited
4 creation and @deyelopment. The seed
Il planted by the fathers soon bore fruit
4 Free schools were the necessary supple:
provisions for public instruction by the
. lfathers second only in effect to theil
tstruggle for independence and creation OF
the union were destined at no distant
date to produce the most wonderful re-
tsults.
4 AS the country has grown education
fostered by the state has kept pace with
it. Rich as are the collegiate endowments
OF the old world, none of them excel In
,puniticence the gifts made-to educational
institutions by the educational institu-
tions by the people of the United States
and by their governments In conformity
| with tsthe influence which sound learn
ing has on religion and manners, on gov
eminent, liberty and laws. "
Adams and Madison, Jefferson and
Hamilton, Sherman and Trumbull, Han
cock, Jay, Marshall, the Clintons AND
many others of our early statesman We're
scarcely less earnest and eloquent than
Washington himself in pleading the cause
of sound and liberal education for the
people.
Nor does this seem surprising when We
reflect that the truest aim and worthless
ambition of education is not finished
scholarship for the favored few but the
elevation of high standard of citizenship
among the many. l have had much
satisfaction in the fact thatWashington II
those early days when engrossed witt
mighty governmental problems did MOI
forget his contributions for the education
of the poor and leftin his will bequest
to be dedicated to free public Instructions
Nothing better tells the value be placed
4 upon knowledge afs an essential to tn
j higher and best citizenship. AZ
i How, priceless is liberal education
II Initself rich endowment; tits not i'm
n paired by agebut It's value Increases
u with use. No one can employ it but IT.
I rightful owner No one can illustrate 1T
worth and enjoy it's rewards. Lit canno
be inherited or purchased. 1t must b.
acquired by individual efforts. 1t can p'
secured only by perseverance, and sell de
NAL. But it is free as the ar we preatn
Neither race, nor nationality. nor SCI
can debar the earnest seeker from IT
possession. 1t is not exclusive, but in
clusive!in its broadcast sense. 1t is with
in the reach of all who really want it ant
are brave enough to struggle for it. Tn
earnest, rich and the worthy poor ar
equal and friendly rivals in it's pursuit
and neither is exempted from any o
the sacrifice necessary for it's acquisition
. The key to its titles is not the brigh
allurement of title and station, but
simple watohword of work and study,
A liberal education is the prize Of indi
vidual industry. 1t is the great BLESSING
! that man or woman can enjoy whel
supported by virtue, morality and nobl
aims. But tho requirement. OF learning II
our schools and colleges seem so easy thu
we are apt to underestimate its yalu
and let the opportunity to win it slip by
: until we find that the chance is gone
The rudiments must be migrated il
youth, or with rare exceptions they ar
: forever lost,
Life to most is q struggle. and there
little time for the contemplation of tn
theoretical when the practical is pressing
at every hand. A stern duty monopo
Lies our time The command of Others
: controls our preferences and often defeat
our intentions. Bat steadily adherin
! to firm purpose amid the activities G
= life we may keep in touch with litera
ture of the day. but to go back to tn