Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29

Ihah IuTee centuries, Deen pToushI
down to a very low standard intellect
ually and morally, and how under the
ciyilizing influences of American enter
prise and the advantages OF an educat-
ed and refined people, they may be
lifted up to high order Of civilization.
"As a result of our war with Spain
we find ourselves in possession OF the
Philippine islands. 1t is our duty to
establish over them good government
or provide safe foundation for one.
1T is argued by great many that
we have enough territory within our
present boundaries that we should
not keep the Philippines but let them
90 for all the great nations Of the world
To scramble after. Our ancestors sup
posed they had territory enough when
it extended TO the Mississippi river,
but as the population increased they
decided they needed more room so they
acquired Louisiana territory, then
Oregon, California and New Mexico.
Are we not still increasing? Will we
not continue TO increase? Would not
more territory be of advantage to usT
ritory could we wish than ii country
that lies directly in the path OF com
merce between this country and the
Orient?n
The speaker then argued that it
would open up new and vast field Tor
our products and give this nation,
which is powerful in its productions,
an opportunity for the employment OF
more labor TO meet the new conditions.
"We boast of being the most enlight-
ened nation on the face of the globe;
then all the more reason why we should
undertake that which is SO plainly our
duty.
"It is law of this universe for the
stronger nation TO control the weaker
II the ancient Romans in 260 Il. {. had
decided against expansion, they would
have retarded the progress of the
world If we, as nation, build wall
around ourselves and decide that we
will expand thus far and no farther,
we will become as the Chinese nation,
a block in the progress OF the world.
''But To expand is our destiny, to
undertake new questions and new
work; to give to the world the benefit
OF our knowledge in establishing gov
ernment and conducting country to
the best interests of the country and
itaiohabitants.
The class poem alma Mater" was
chosen by Miss Ida Belle Spencer as
her part in the exercises and its reci-
tation was rendered in such an ad-
mirable manner as co call forth many
expressions OF praise at the close OF
her effort "A few verses of which we
give
Summoned by tradition sweet,
once more in this hall we meet
\ band OF fifteen, tried and true,
And one asleep beneath the dew
Beneath the dew but not forgot,
She slumbers in her lowly bed;
Let every sweet forget-me not
Bloom o er the still remembered d dead.
Long long the way our feet have come
And thorny too. and rough to some;
But now the goal salutes our gaze,
The last OF many dear school days
Ar,t. ,,-I,ar ,..,. ,.tatv tho fabfup mast
And dream Of days that fled so fast
Full many thorn that once was ours,
Seems ali blossoms now with flowers.
We come Oh duty, fifteen strong,
OF right the thralls, the foes OF wrong
Oh, Alma Mater while we bow,
Thy hand of blessing on each brow
Bless us and bid US all God speed,
And may our every word and deed
Cause thy heart with pride to swell
Dear Alma Mater, fare thee well.
-
The class history and prophecy wa'
IA unique and interesting production by
Name Edith Presley in which "OlC
Father Time, Bert Ray Snow, stooC
at spinning wheel and spun of roll
of parchment which he clipped with
huge pair of shears, the Fates, Alll'
Almeda Arnwine, Edna Josephine Wis
and Gertrude Ethel Wilson taking
them aud in turn reading the prophesy
The young ladies were dressed in whit
and looked very beautiful. Ruff
Rhines Morse prepared and read tn
class history in connection with it an
had it arranged in pleasing manner
-
Erma Agatha Grant as the valedic
torian had an unusually well prepare
essay and valedictory--"Know thyself.
Socrates inspired his followers I
study themselves Know thyself
was the favorite maxim of the grea
philosopher and it was he who taugh
the Athenian youth that to gain tn
highest success they must become pei
fectly familiar with their own lives, I
know their powers, their strong an
weak points and bring out and develo
the best that was in them and fore
i.l =. Let Il