The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-25

upon aliens, the leasing of forests and
mines, and the contributions of the De-
liam league, that the average citizen
was exempt from taxation. Because of
the extensive employment of slave la
Dor the cost Of living became so cheap
at Athens, that two obols day, the fee
Of the juror, paid the expenses of a
family. Thus, an indolent, worthless
citizen who scorned any manual labor
when slave could do it for him, with
no taxes, and with a state salary sufti-
cient to pay his expenses, might sit in
judgment upon the richest and noblest
land owner. A multitude of these
idlers, jurors and demagogues were
constantly seen lettering about the as
sembly and the court. Naturally, a
jury composed of such class was now
arbitrary, now tickle, now easily influ-
enced by a passionate, unprincipled or
ator. Although the citizens gained a
knowledge of state government from
this system, harm also resulted. Every
one turned to public speaking as a nee
system was really perfected, Athens
was filled with a crowd of petty law
yerS, demagogueS and lobbyists.
ITO the protection which the democ-
racy offered, the Athens of Pericles
owed its furnishing, commercial indus
try. The products of Athens were
sought throughout all Greece and Asia
Minor. Articles from every Aegean
port were shipped to Athens. Athenian
sailors were so numerous that Greek
poet speaks Of them as ants of the sea-
as they hurried in all directions with
tireless industry.
Athens, too, was the school of art
lists as well as of artisans. Monuments,
public buildings and other works of art
remain to attest the glory of Athens.
In her literature, also, Athens sur
passed the other nations of Greece. Dur
ing the life of Pericles, Athens was the
literary centre which the great writers
and philosophers were accustomed to
visit, and afterwards make their home.
Beside the dramatists, Aeschylus, SQph-
ocles and Euripedes, there were Hero
dotus, the father Of history and
Thucydides, the philosophic historian,
In addition to these, there were the
sophists, philosophers and many writer's
of minor Importance.
'Macaulay says: AS civilization ad-
vances, poetry almost necessarily de-
elines To this rule, Athens at the
time of her supremacy is a most evident
exception. Art, literature, philosophy
educational interests, commercial ac-
tivity-nearly all the features of civili-
cation We're present in this one age.
And the literature of Athens, instead of
falling into decline, received new
strength and new vigor for making the
last of its career as bright, as beautiful
as perfect as its early life.
No matter if her constitutional pol
icy was wrong, Athens redeemed her
faults by her enthusiasm for the grand
and the beautiful. The people elevated
eheir tastes, elegance and intellectual
culture far above their neighbors. Their
sentiments were daily ennobed by art
ISIS ana poets and orators. The same
individuality, the same energy, the
same ambition which inspired her art
lists and poets, thrilled her citizens her
army and her navy. But when admir-
ing the splendor of the Periclean age
we must remember that It was not the
government of one age nor the work OF
one man which carried Athenian cul-
lure 10 perfection, but the combined ex-
srllohs OF whole people and the la
oor OF many ages eliminating in one
Slahu Durst of intellectual activity"
In a graceful manner Mr.. Hastings
presented the gifts of the class to the
Classical high school.
Frlnclpal p. r. Goodwin. in his ac-
ceptance, spoke as follows:
In behalf of the Classical high
school, 1t gives me great pleasure to
accept this appropriate and beautiful
present from the class Of 80. To you,
members of the class of 99. desire
70 tender the sincere thanks of the
CLASSICAL high school for this token of
your respect and love-
How rich we feel on DAYS like this
This day recalls precious memories Of
the many loyal classes that have gone
forth from this school to act well their
part in the drama Of life
Today there passes before our eyes
IN QUICK revieW-croWding -upon one
another's heels-the long procession Of
distinguished graduates. There come
involuntarily to our lips the names of
those men and women who have made
place for themselves In their chosen
profession or calling. Today they are
the recognized leaders in the social.
professional and business life of the
communities in which they live.
1.-The Classical high school IS and has
right to be proud of her graduates.
The Classical high school is proud of
the class Of '99. These are not idle
words of fulsome praise, but words Of
soberness and truth. As a class YOU
have always thrown your influence on
the side of right and justice. You have
stood by those things which tend to
elevate and to ennoble. You have
frowned upon those things which dwarf
and belittle. By your conduct you have
shown that you despise those thirgs
which are low and mean. You have
been ready to respond TO The efforts
of your teachers to inspire in you a
desire to realize the highest ideals in
scholarly attachments.
ITO accomplish anything great in
this world. demands NIT only a sound
body and a definite aim, but also an
iron viii urged on and sustained by
an unbounded, passionate enthusiasm
for the work to be done. These ere
qualities which make possible that en-
durance which win enable you 70 con-
quer all things The Classical high
school expects large things from you.
We confidently expect that among