The age-herald., 1899-05-31
EXERCISES AT
 OWENTON COLLEGE
Hon. John w. TomIinson to the
 Literary Societies.
TENDENCIES OF THE TIMES
The Speaker Forcibly Discussed the Habit of Some Who Unwisely Departed from Paths Our
 Fathers Trod

The closing exercises were continued at the North Alabama Methodist Conference college at owenton yesterday with large crowds attending.
 Hon. John w. Tonllinson delivered an ad dress to the literary societies yesterday morning. He was introduced by Professor E. M. Glenn who has so successfully man. aged the affairs of the college during Dr. Parker's recent illness. MT. Tomlinson re- ceived a hearty greeting from the pupils.
 The College Complimented
 Among other things, he said that the fu- ture of this great institution, backed as it was by the powerful organization of the Methodist church and by the people of Birmingham and the south, was an as sured fact. He congratulated Birmingham, so blessed in material wealth in the growth of her churches and colleges. Owenton and Howard colleges were the jewels of her crown. Denominational schools are the best. He commended the Methodists on their twentieth century educational fund, and suggested 1t was well to aim high, telling a story on the late Bishop McFrec, who died soon after he learned that Van derbilt would have donated three instead of one and half millions to the Wander bIil university ndu Il0 DSSu dShGQ lOI that amount.
 Tendencies of the Times
 1ne speaker then proceeded to discuss at some length the tendency in certain quar- terS to depart from the paths the fathers trod. He believed in progress, but, like David Crockett, you must be sure you are right, then go ahead. The tendency of some is to go ahead-right or wrong. You are called upon "to expand' and ito full fill manifest destiny" no matter where 1t leads.
 The effort to depart, without reason therefor, from the paths our fathers trod is abundantly in evidence in these latter times, in politics, in business in society, in religion. The farewell address of Wash ington, which has been read annually in the south since the foundation of the gov ernment, was not long ago ridiculed in banquet speech. The declaration of inde-l pendence Is no longer venerated by not few, and the constitution of the Unitedl States no longer protects those whom it was intended to protect.
 Principles of Government ' 1L 4s a good sign to sec that in our in-, stifntions of learning the principles of our government-the constitution that pre- serves republics within a republic, that makes local government possible, is taught. To those familiar with that pro-
 
 of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed," not surprised that the Cubans, to whom freedom Is promised are reluctant to give up their arms, hu- initiation that is wrong and useless. Who wonders that 8 people who have fought for freedom as they have would want to retain their arms?
 The education of the people is a greater
 1 to the nation than standing
 warshns that sweep the seas
 gels of death. Lincoln said that
 attest peril was that accumulated
 would work on ignorance and prej-
 the nations ruin. Is it not being
 The remedy is the church and the
 ouse In Rome the powerful and Unscrupulous used the weak and ignorant against the middle class, and Rome fell. The speaker then referred to the aban- donment of bimetallism, the formation of trusts, to the attempt to establish colo nial policy and a large standing army as the rocks on which this country was liable to be stranded, as was the great steamer City of Paris, a few days ago on the treacherous rocks of the Atlantic, which was out of the familiar route usually fol- lowed. It is dangerous to sail in unknown seas. There are hidden rocks of powerful magnetic influence to lure the ship to de- struction.
 Professor E. M. Glenn thanked MT. Tom IfnSon on haha1P of the rolleoa for his