The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-02
were destined at no distant date to pro

y NAN Al---tCf AA1o ACRA pau
with it. Rich as are the collegiate en-
dowments of the Old World, none O
them excel in munificence the gift:
made to educational institutions by ths
people of the United States and by
their governments in conformity with
"the influence which sound learning
has on religion and manners, on gov
ernment, liberty and laws"
Adams and Madison, jefferson and
Hamilton, Sherman and Trumbull,
Hancock, Jay, Marshall, the Clintons,
and many others of our early statesmen
were scarcely less earnest and eloquent
than Washington himself in pleading
the cause Of sound and liberal educa-
tion for the people.
Nor does this seem surprising when
we reflect that the truest aims and wor-
thiest ambition of education is not fin
ished scholarship for the favored few,
but the elevation of high standard of
citizenship among the many. 1 have
AAAa lINnAldA ctAtAc4aLNlOAA III Tic ldCl
that Washington in those early days,
when engrossed with mighty govern
mental problems, did not forget his
contributions for the education of the
poor, and left in his will bequest to be
dedicated to free public instruction.
Nothing better tells the value he placed
upon knowledge as an essential to the
highest and best citizenship.
How priceless is liberal education
In itself what a rich endowment 1t
is not impaired by age, but its value in
creases with use. No one can employ
it but its rightful owner. He alone can
illustrate its worth and enjoy its re-
wards. 1t can not be Inherited or pur-
chased; it must be acquired by individ-
ual effort. 1t can be secured only by
perseverance and selfdenial. But it is
free as the air we breathe. Neither race
nor nationality, nor sex can debar the
earnest seeker for its possession. 1t is
not exclusive, but inclusive in the broad
est 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 its pursuit,
and neither is exempted from any of
the sacrifices necessary for its acquisi-
ton. The key to its title is not the
bright allurements Of rank and station,
but the simple watchwcrd Of work and
study.
A liberal education is the prize of in
dividual industry. II is the greatest
blessing that man or woman can en-
joy when supported by virtue, moral
ity, and noble aims. But the acquire
Inent of learning In our schools and
colleges seems 50 easy that we are apt
10 underestimate its value and let the
opportunity to win it slip by until, re-
gretfuily, we 6nd that the chance Is
gone. The rudiments must be ingraft-
ed in youth, or, with rare exceptions,
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
monopolizes 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 the literature of the day, but to
90 back to the classics or to grapple
with the foundations Of the sciences
is beyond the powerof most men when
they have entered upon their chosen
business or profession.
Ones mental fighting, often a hand
to-hand conflict with obstacles and
temptations, is battle of his own, a
campaign whose motive force is indi-
viduality, 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 application and self
denial and personal struggles which
have given to the world its greatest
leaders and noblest achievements.
"Cherish the public credit How
much, both of reflection and instruc-
ton, is combined in this simple admo-
milton Of the Father of his Country.
The United States emerged from the
bitter and prolonged struggle of the
Revolutionary War exhausted finan-
cially, and with a hundred existing
perplexities rnd difficulties which re-
mained to be solved before the tinan-
eial credit of the new Nation cou d 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
snd economists, whose names the coun-
try still venerates and whose great
work it still enjoys. Hamilton and
Morris and Galiatin and others were
successful in establishing the Treasury
aud inaugurating the financial opera
tions Of this Government upon princi-
pies which recognized that the most
enduring basis of National credit was
National honor, and that whatever
other assets we might have or acquire,
that was Indispensable, first, last, and
all the time, if we would cherish the
public credit. We have been fully re-
warded all along our history by adher-
ing to the principles Of Washington in
keeping the public faith. Before half
a century had passed we had paid off
our National debt and had balance IN
the Treasury. Another debt, the great
est 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 were
those who suggested repudiation, but
the people repudiated them and went
on unchecked, discharging the obliga-
tons of the Government in the coin Of
honor.
From the day our fisg was unfurled
to the present hour, no stain Of just
obligation violated has yet tarnished
the American name. This must and
will be as true in the future as 1t has
been in the past There will be prSph-