The record-union., 1898-02-23

seeker from it's possession. 1t is not ex-
elusive, but inclusive in the broadest
and best sense. 1t is within the reach
of all who really want it. and are brave
enough to struggle for it, The earnest
rich and the worthy poor are equal and
friendly rivals in it's pursuit, and neither
is exempted from any of the sacrifices
necessary for its acquisition. The key
to it's title is not the bright allurements
of rank and station, but the simple
watchword of work and study. A lib
eral education is the prize of individual
industry. 1t is the greatest blessing
that a man or woman can enjoy when
supported by virtue, morality and noble
aims.
But the requirement of learning in
our schools and colleges seems SO easy
that we are apt to underestimate its
value, and let the opportunity to win 1t
slip by until regretfully we find that
the chance is gone. The rudimentS must
be ingrafted in youth. or with rare ex-
ceptions they are forever lost.
Life to most is a struggle, and there
is little time for the contemplation of
the theoretical, when the practical is
pressing at every hand. Stern duty mo-
ropolizes our time. The command of
others controls our preferences, and
often defeats our intentions. By stead
lily adhering to firm purpose amid the
activities of life, We may keep in touch
with literature of the day, but to go
back to the classics or to grapple with
the foundations of the sciences is be-
yond the power of most men when they
have entered upon their chosen business
OF profession.
"Ones mental fighting. often hand to
hand conflict with obstacles and temp
tations is a battle of his own a cam
paign whose motive force is individu-
ality rather than circumstances or luck.
Work in the mental world is as real as
that in the physical world. Nor has any
prescription yet been found to take the
place of applica ton and self denial and
personal struggles which have given TO
the world its greatest leaders and
nobest achievements.
Cherish the public credit.
How much both of reflection and
instruction is contained in this simple
admonition of the father of his eoun
try. The United States emerged from
the bitter and prolonged struggle of the
ii
and with a hundred existing perpleXi-
ties and difficulties which remained 10
be solved before the financial credit of
the new nation could be established at
home and demonstrated abroad.
But Washington knew how to gather
around him and place in positions Of
the greatest trust the able financiers
and economists whose names the couu
try still venerates and whose great
work it still enjoys. Hamilton and
Morris and Gallatin and others were
successful in establishing the treasury
and inaugurating the financial opera
tions of this Government upon pfin
cipIes which recognized that the most
enduring basis of national credit was
nationl honor, and that whatever
other assets we might have or acquire,
that was indispensable. first. last ano
all the time. if we would cherish the
public credit.
I'VE have been fully rewarded all
along our history by adhering to the
principles of Washington. and keeping
the public faith. Before half a century
had passed we had paid off our ma
tional debt and had balance in the
treas sury Another debt, the greatest
in our history was incurred in the civil
war for the preservation of the union.
But this did not exceed the resources
or discourage the Intentions of the
American people. There We're those
who suggested reputation, but the peo-
pie repudiated them. and went on un-
checked, discharging the obligations OF
the Government in the coin of honor.