The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-12-23
Mems Club Banquet.

OH Pleasantly, Professor n. A. harvey
was the postmaster OF the evening and
presided with all the dignity due that
important position. Rev. James Rob-
ert Smith was the first speaker called
upon and spoke briefly with reference
to the harmony and unity OF the devel-
oplng enterprises of the world, and
believed that the outcome of all the
forces projected by specialists for their
own benefit and gain tends toward tie
unity and betterment of the universe.
President Mcneil, of the Normal,
followed Mr.. Smith with an address OH
the subject The Twentieth Century,
He said in part:
"A new century with it opposing
forces is upon us. The closing hours of
the nineteenth century are at hand.
We face the fact that growth ever
contends with decay. We know that
tue forces of evolution strive with those
with those of atavism. We believe that
the survival of the fittest in things
spiritual as well as in things material
will continue to mark advancing years.
The light Of past experience rs revealed
in both sacred and human history will
continue TO shed its efulgencies to guide
us IN our journey through the unknown
and uneXplored fields of the twentieth
century whose confines we are Just en-
terlng.
"Man's progress, from the lowest con-
dltlons of sayagerv to the highest at
tainments OF civilization, has ever been
properly, measured by the clearness
and force of his ideas. From the vagu-
est notions which lie in the margins of
consciousness to the clearest ideas that
possesses mans soul and characterize a
truistic action, we find positive move
ment from the lower animal self to the
higher spiritual being, from present
selfish qualification to the highest in
stitutional good.
"A Jew days ago, with uncovered
heads and reverent hearts, we bowed
IN respect az the century mark pointed
to the passing of that early American
patriot who was first in peace, first in
war, and first in the hearts of his coun-
trvmen.' With just pride We recall
the ideas for which Washington stood.
Tie preamble to our constitution recites
the notions that haye been growing
ever since that most wonderful docu-
ment ever conceived by the mind of
man or struck off by his hand came in
existence. In passing note the words
of that preamble: We. the people of
the United States, in order to form
more perfect union, establish Justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for
the common defense, promote the gen
eral welfare, and secure the blessings
of liberty to ourselves and our prosper
ity, do establish and ordain this consti-
tuition tor the United States of America
The ideas set forth in that preamble
now bind in altruistic bonds over sew
enty million of the bravest, the most
patriotic, the happiest, the richest and
most prosperous people on earth. Each
separate phrase means much more to
who set us free from English oppression
in the critical period of our national life.
To provide for the common de-
Tense represents a growing idea which
during the period of your lives and
mine is taking on much more meaning.
Instead of defending the people against
f,r IN,
labor organizations for the protection
and betterment of labor, which have
come into existence and have come to
stay Organizations of capital too have
stay. Today those two classes of or
carnations are often mutually opposed
to each other. National strife on the
issues raised by labor and capital can
be avoided by merging the will of each
into national Will. This result can
come only through ethical ms 'ght, de-
yeloped by the educational agencies of
the home, the school, and Christianity.
When labor and capital both grasp the
higher meaning of common defense
each will find its highest good in the
general welfare. AS we stand on the
borders of the twentieth century, a con-
seryatiye optionism points to a brighter
future, a larger intelligence, and a keen
er insi ght which looks to Z more distant
future and to the general veal. Through
larger social units, possible and govern
-: ii 4
capital will be brought into concord and
a nearer approach to ultimate right will
be cached.
1.-The blessings of lIberty' has a much
wider and deeper meaning than it had
one hundred years ago. My life does
not reach back to the middle of the
century whose circle is about complet
ed. yet it has been long enough to per-
nit my eyes to witness an awful move
ment of society in the direction OF free
dom. In my minds eye, | can see
Abraham Lincoln, the greatest man of
the century, graphing with the idea of
freedom and bringing it to the center
of his consciousness. Once clearly com
pretended by that man of destiny, that
savior of race, the idea of freedom
took the ordinary course of vigorous
thoughts and resulted in action. What
mighty change came to humanity,
when the idea reached higher devel-
opment, l beard the clinkIng of the
chains when Lincoln struck the shack
les from millions of slaves and sent
them forth, as free before men as they
ever We're before the God of nations
The extended idea OF freedom has gone
to the uttermost ends of the earth and
human slavery is now confined to be-
nIghted islands in distant oceans.
''Gentlemen, the twentieth century
Will give every man the best opportun-
tiles for education. The test of educa-
ton in the new century will be the ac-
tons of men. 4 man is properly edu-
Gated when ethical ideas leave their re-