The age-herald., 1898-05-20

sohspire 10 make you droneS and dead-
 weights. Alabama needs the assistance of
 eacn one of you, to place her in line with Ene othter commonwealths that constitute the union
 And Birmingham calls for your help, you who have been educated in the public schools of the city, to aid in crystallzing public opinion in favor of any measure which has forits object the improvement of
 the financial condition of these schools
 Birmingham public schools must be main-
 tained in accord with Birmingham's claims
 before the world, and whatever measure
 shall bring about this result must receive your earnest, immediate, enthusiastic sup port. We have, all of us, fallen into the
 unfortunate habit of batting each other on
 the back, talking by the hour and writing Dy the columns, of Alabama's marvellous mineral resources, and agricultural develop ment. We cite to our satisfaction that this state Is third, according to statistics, in mineral deposits, whereupon we immediate
 " bend all our energies towards trying to convince the rich men of the world that
 the road to greater wealth lies through
 pur iron and coal mines and in our large cotton mills. This is all right, as far as 1t
 goes. But, who can deny that while are making appeals for investments, while we are telling of the great blessings bestowed upon us, by the Creator the chill dren of Alabama are pitifully crying out for Tight, more light" begging for school houses, and are beginning to im- peratively fccand an education at hands Alabama Is third to the top, in min
 eral resources, but be it said to our eter- nal shame, she is also third to the bottom 1 in illiteracy and ignorancel Alabama needs | more flashlights on her weaknesses, in- | stead of such a constant reiteration of her resources. Not one of us is in any wise | responsible for a single ton of coal or iron
 in the state, but each one is in a
 measure to blame for the widespread, de- | plorable illiteracy which exists in Ala
 bama. very few years ago, a gentleman
 of this city had occasion to go into one of
 the adjoining counties to attend to the
 settlement of a small legal matter, in
 which there were nine witnesses involved. l or these nine men, all white, seven were 1 compelled to make their mark, being una
 ble to write their names. The very mo- l tary public in the case could not sign his 1 name, so in lieu, also, he made his mark! Is not such situation a burning re- I proach to every man and woman of Ala
 bama? Shall the people sit quietly by and | permit this dear old state of ours to be
 made the laughing stock of the nation, be- | cause the majority of the politicians are | afraid to touch the fundamental question, 1 which will insure better condition for us? Will you, young ladies and gentlemen who | are just beginning life, consent to with | hold your influence from this matter of the | education of the masses, and from this | growing demand for broader constitution, which shall permanently insure better 1 schools to the children of our state? l do | not believe that any of you young gradu- | ates who hear me tonight, and who at this 1 moment realize the unSpeakable advan- | tages of practical study, will remain quies- | cent when these great educational questions are arousng the people. The women of | Alabama, through the federation of clubs, have taken their stand for the education | of the children of the state; the Alabama | Women's Press association is committed | to the same position, and they will continue | to knock insistently at the doors of the | old capitol at Montgomery, until their pur- | ambitions to gratify, no official positions to gain or lose Alabama women shall from this time forward, un- hesitatingy demand what is essen- | tial for the well-being of their chi- | dren and of their homes. even to the taking 1 of the ballot from the hands of every illit- | crate voter in the state. The women will | agitate the educational interests of Ala bama until illiteracy shall become bar | to political franchise. Feminine moral courage will force this issue, while the ma | jorty of the politicians hesitating be- cause fearful of personal consequences. Just st this time the civilized world has remarkable example of national de- generacy brought to the bar of public opin- ion.
 Spain has lost her prestige among the nations of the earth; has become a by word and reproach in Christendom, be- cause of the ignorance and iiteracy of her people. The present war is but the struggle of the educational manhood of this century against the barbarity, ignor- ance and bigotry of long gone ages. There can be but one end to such an unequal fight, and that an overwhelming American victory. Towards this ultimate victory your class has contributed two noble young fellows who marched away that bright Sabbath morning in all the bravery of the uniform of the Alabama National Guard, and with their young hearts beat ing high with hope and courage. They had virtually completed their course of study and tonight, although they are tent ing way down on the beautiful gulf coast, ready to go forward when the command comes, their diplomas will be furnished. Every one of you have warm, tender spot in your hearts tonight for these two young soldiers who were your companions at school and who step by step mounted with you to this goal of your ambition. You feel a personal interest in the war, because your class has contributed two of it's brightest members to the army of the republic.
 Divine discontent is the surest road to progress; young ladies and gentlemen there can be no permanent advancement in any line of endeavor without a corre- spending agitation and unrest.
 Ambition, if misdirected, of course, will bring demoralizing consequences. Learn your capacity, ana then IedcH OulWdlu ana upward to the extreme extent of your men tai, physical and moral development. Ambition to be permanently successful
 must be intelligenally directed. Each one of us can recall pathetic instances of fail- ure and disappointment because the aspra- tions of man or woman were out of pro-
 portion with their mental and moral endow- ments
 Whatever duties within your sphere of
 life, meet with glad. honest, open arms
 and bear them safely to complete fulfill-
 ment, whether they cluster tenderly around
 the home fireside, or belong to a wider,
 broader experience. Whatever your Creator
 has given you to do go forward fear.essly
 and accomplish with the sign of your mis-
 sion beaming from your courageous eyes.
 The man and woman who are without as-
 pirations to make the world brighter and
 better for their living are unworthy of life,
 and do not merit the soul which God has
 given them to mark the difference between
 them, and the beasts, Who eat, sleep and
 die.
 T fr