The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-14
PLEDGE TO THE FUTURE
Ex-Governor Richards Address
at the Conferences.
A SPHERE OF USEFULNESS
An Eloquent Plea for the Wesleyan
University at Helena-A Great
Center of Learning for
the Northwest.

Livingston, Aug. 11.-This evening at
| a meeting of the M. E. conference. de-
voted to the Montana Wesleyan uni
versity anniversary, Ex-Governor Rick
ards of Butte delivered the principal
address. The delivery was frequently
interrupted by applause and fervent
EXPLANATIONS of approval from the au-
dience of ministers and laymen who
listened to the address and gave I'M
mistakable signs of appreciation, both
during and at the close of the dis
course. over $1,000 was subscribed at
the conclusion of the ex-governor's
stirring appeal for the cause of sec
tartan education and at the conclusion
of the university directors meeting.
meeting a feeling of renewed con-
tidencp was felt in the future of
the Methodist University of Montana.
Mr.. Richards said
That government which contributes
most to the moral advancement of its
people, and through the enlightenment
of the masses makes possible the high
est type of civilization, is the best gov
eminent
As the dictatorship of ignorance has
always given to the world it's worst
cation has conserved the higher and
better purposes of mankind.
No tribute to education would be
complete without recognition of the
part it has played in the history of ma
tions, as well as the work it has per
formed in shaping the destinies of indi-
viduals.
The birth of a thought-the genera
ton of an a-embellished by the
fruits of it's practical application to the
affairs of men. has often set in motion
the gigantic forces that created new
nations and changed the current of his
tory from the old channel into the
new.
If revolutions in the great world of
thought that have moulded empires and
created republics and opened the eyes
of the blind to the mystic wonders OF
science, could be traced to their origin
how often would the seed thousht-the
germinal idea--of wondrous effects to
come. be traced to the school room and
found nesting in the budding genius of
a child.
In the light of their possibilities the
educational institutions of the land
the student for the routine duties Of
career he may choose to follow.
They are the theaters from which
may emanate the drama of civiliZa-
ton it's possible tragedies and per-
chance those movements upon the
checker board of history that deserve
no higher designation than the come
dies of national life
Great importance therefore attaches
to these institutions. for to them is as
signed the responsibility of perpetual
ing good government through the me-
dunn of healthy education impaired
to those entrusted to their care.
The day when our university became
a fixed fact marked an event in the MS
tory of Montana. 1t meant the creation
of permanent home for the factory of
ideas, whose handy work will leave its
impress upon generations yet to come.
There is something more beautiful
than poetry. more fascinating than
prose, in the thought that the civiltza-
ton of to-day is building so wisely for
pOsterity. placing in solid masonry the
pledge Of the present to the future.
In ancient times the sraces of art.
music chisled into stone, and pleasant
dreams woven into architectural de-
sign. were contributions to posterIty set
anOat in the stream of time: but to-day
an enlightened public conscience seeks
for the practical in life and builds FOR
the future great temples of learning in
which all that is wise in government
or helpful and hopeful in human af-
fairs may be taught for the upbuilding
of men.
The world has learned to recognize
the relation of education to good gov
eminent, for our institutions of learn
ing have peopled the nations with
statesmen and philosophers who satfer
the cOntendins elements OF society into
a union of purposes and marshal hu-
man energy to the best ends of civil
ization.
To the broader view of life impaired
in the school room must be attributed
the conservative temper and progress
sive spirit characteristic of the best
forms of modern government
To mbibe a knowledge of the past
in manner that makes manifest the
logic of the merits and mistakes OF
government, is to spread a banquet
with the fruits of experience and open
up to the mind clearer and better path
ways to the future.
In this way education serves the pur-
poses of good government.
1t places wel-disciplined leaders at
the head of an orderly rank and file.
1t fights the battles of good govern
ment with the weapons of equity and
Justice. and wrongs are righted in the
forum of legislation instead of upon tho
bloody fields of war Education of
mind and heart has step by step lifted
mankind from the slough of ignorance
and intolerance to higher and better
destiny.
If the past be prophetic of the future
education is delegated with the mission
of pleva ting the human race to level
that will bring to the world a practical
raa liza ton of new Utopia.
Stea Oily, but surely the march of the
centuries is eliminating from human
nature it's thirst for the honors of
war.
Time was when those only were grea
who achieved greatness upon the field
of battle.
Primitive ignorance left its legacy Of
cruelty and it's love of prOwess with the
race and the history of centuries was
written in blood before the angel of
arbitration heralded a new gospel to
the world.
Even now the new order of things is
upon the Threshold of human affairs,
Nf