The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-06-03
MODERN KNleHTHoop.


MODERN KNfGHTHOOD.
What visions OF yalor and glory cluster
around the sounding tide Of knight
wealth. beauty aud loye-wailing on the
lllt OF their champions lance, while roy-
atty Invests the victorious contestant
with the giiitering insignia Of rank,
what can fhere be In these prosaic
modern times that will We with the pa.
geantry of kings and queens,
How can there be a modern knight?
When We look back In history TO giean
the facts Of knigbthood we ind that Il
came into existence at the close Of the
erusades and continued until the end Of
the war OF Roses
The necessary attributes Of knlghihood
we're loyalty courtesy and munificence,
with yalor as a primary qualification,
and whatever may have been its inner.
emf defec,s&f Is al any rate lndispuiable
that 4, enabodicd some Of the noblest
sentiments and enGendered the wortniest
actions Of contemporary mankind
Poetry and art were animated by this
el,yatlng ideals and II has left vide
and fruitful field 90 be harvested by ali
succeeding ages
Chlyalry VAS all the bloom Of all the
virtues Of knigh,hood, and OF It Burke has
said: 1T II the unb0ught grace OF life,
IN, chief defense OF ratiOns, the nurse Of
manly sentimen, and heroic enterprise.
II modern society were diyested OF its
Inheritance Of chivalry derived from the
gallant knights OF remote times. Il
would stand out gaum and unlnviting
bu, with all the noble requisites OF the
knights Of olden times, and armcred IN
the robes OF truth and right our modern
knight comes to the rescue-the architect
and pillar OF society. the exponent OF
the modern educational idea which has
leveled distinction between the rich and
p-or making merit not wealth. the
requisite Of rank
The recompense for valorous achieve
men, Is not ,adys smile nor the touch
OF sovereign sword.
Our knight does mi bend to win the
applause OF the crowd. but. making truth
his cause, he stakes his all upon the
right and entering the lists be dares to
fall.
The hero OF Santiago with the unrc.
mantle name Of Hobson has demon
strated to the world that golden
thread OF purpose ran through all his
plans, lifting him above the commons
place aud bazonlng him a modern knight
indeed.
Some ardent writer has said OF him:
Now no more that aneien, phrase
Chattering down from Charles's days,
'Hobs0ns choice OF that or none
lie had Two and chose the one,
Safety. danger; deck or wave,
Life or death; the sun the grave,
Let the phase new meaning wear,
Now. henceforth and everywhere
Gallant choice TO do and dare
Shall be 'Hobson'S choice.
There is no limit to gallant choice ITO do
and dare.''
Every profession and walk OF life give
Of their best to fill the surried ranks OF
knlghthood and how We love to do honor
to the heroes Of the van. the first. who
without selfish thought OF cost or
blame, stand by their cherished ideals
OF right.
Andre in his frozen grave in the north;
our dear soldier boys who gave their lives
helping to bear the white mans bur-
dem" the sleepless scientists who are
Wrestling natures secrets from her iron
grasp the strong. unpolished pioneers,
who In still endurance conquered forests
and cleared the way for the western en-
pire-these and the countless others who
stand alone are our modern knights
The magic OF wealth and an empty
name fades away before the modern re-
quirements OF pure hearts. high courage
and the invincible look OF nobility,
Friends and patrons OF the Astoria
High School-you whose protecting love
and influence have surrounded our lives
as the coral reef encircles the calm la.
goon, freeing us from the disturbing
storms without-in the name Of the class
OF 80 greet you,
Emerson says that strength is measured
not by the arms but by the heart, and We
feel that this occasion which is bright.
ened by your presence strengthens in
us the eager desire to venture out on
nfe's stormy ocean.l and In the words Of
another;
no breast the storm, to fight the fight.
TO brave the dark. to find the light
To guard the innocence of youth;
To bare ones heart to JOY and truth;
To live out ones allotted span;
In search Tor good and hope for man.
Thus may the upright soul be blest
And leave the earth a riSh beQuest,
We welcome you.
FLORENCE LESION TURNER.
CLASS PROPHECY.
And unrollng further, | will foretell
the mysteries of fate" Aeneas and his
followers, tossed about on land and sea-
and wandering here and there over the
face of the earth, at times convenient,
consulted the oracle to learn their des-
tinies Likewise we, tossed by the tenn
pest of this stormy world, would consult
sooth sayer for the ponderous books
Of fate seeking to know our future.
Being kindly disposed towards ali man.
kind, climb to the top of Coxcomb hill
for inspiration and earnestly entreated
the Jupiter of mythology and dreams
to vouchsafe me one glance at the book
OF fate. To my delight the request was
granted, but scarcely had l glanced down
the index TO see thai no name from the
class OF 80 was missing when l was
startled by q gentle touch, Before me
stood the helpful Cythereh in her mystic
robe-"Come with me" said a persuasive
voice, "and I will grant you your hearts
desire" Lulled to sleep, l was borne
across land and sea, and soon found my.
calf IN The Isle Of Wight NV guide