Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-27

| records of the fraternity We're given in
| a very pleasing manner. The history
| would be given in fun if space al
| lowed.
The Grafton of the evening was deliv-
Greeley. Colo. and was an able effort. HI
| held the strictcst attention of his audi
ence from the start. Mr. Haynes was a
| member of chi Chapter of Colby in the
class of II and has been praCticing law
in Greeley for % years. lie is one Of tho
most prominent Of the lawyers of his
| state.
The speaker in his introduction
| spoke of the conflict Of feelings caused
| by the opportunity of meeting his
| brethren, instructors and friends, OF
| renewing the -to-be- forgotten as
sociations of his youth. Of noting the
| improvements in the city and his re-
| gret al his unworthiness to meet the
demands of the hour. He paid Il
| tribute to the memory of Nelson Ding
ley. Ir.. who was originally selected Il
speak upon the occasion.
Tonight, we celebrate the 50th ami
| V-rSary of the founding OF what since
has been one of the institutional parts
| Of this nucleus of culture as well as
| the approach of the end of the century
| which has witnessed the growth Of the
| only genuine, democratic, federal re
| public the world has known. 1t is not
| amiss here To express our satisfaction
| that in the events and achievements OF
| the last half century brothers of the
| chi Chapter Of the Zeta Psi Fraternity
| have borne an honOred part. Far be
| You'd their numbers have they been
noted in the fields of battle and the
pursuits of peace. in the pulpit, in the
| halls Of legislature. the courts Of JUS
tice. the paths Of literature. the rugged
| roads Of commerce. the search for
| scientific fruit ana its application to
| the welfare of mankind
! a brief summary was then given Of
what has been accomplished during tn"
| past 20 years. showing both the bright
ana dark side If the country's history
and future.
There never was 4 time in human
| affairs when there were no evils to be
| overcome. no wrongs to be righted, no
opportunity for Improvement. The
| evils Of the present are as nothing TO
| those impending 80 years ago. Ii the
| enemies Of the past We're conquered by
the wounded stripping. does it not fol-
! low that the flcs NJ The present can BE-
| vanuushed by the mature strength Of
mani An evil great enough t.
arouse the righteous Indignation of
mighty people is already doomed. The
| tremendous strides If invention and
| industry have created new problems.
Combinations both Of capital and labor
are the normal outgrnWth ~ modern
progress. Temporary hardships arise
to be adjusted by an enlightened PEG
! PIE. led by their WiseSt ana best.
system Of socialism whereby men are
to b., raised or reduced to a uniform
level has been the dream Of misguided
enthusiasts but can never be the lot of
mankind. The abiding hope Of the per
petuity Of this great republic lies in the
opportunity TO develop the opposite of
socialism. the highest individualism,
and as its incident. Il true aristOcracy.
Andrew jackson well construed the
declaration of Independence when he
said in substance that it is the PROV
ince of organized society or govern
ment to afford to all men equal oppor-
tunity TO develop their natural Unequal
ities. 1t was once said that the best
government would be that of Il good
and generous deSpot whose only desire
would be the happiness of the people.
But such = dcspot must be endowed
with wisdom to select the abest and
most virtuous of his subjects. in other
words the true aristOcracy of his pep
pie. to perform the functions Of his
government. This it is impossible that
hereditary monarchy can do
The speaker said that Venice was
an instance Of false aristocracy which
ruined itself The point h. desired to
make was that the opposite result must
ANA will follow from the evolution out
of this great democratic republic of
the most perfect system of leadership
which can be produced in the govern
ment Of men. No other nation ever eX-
listed which. in its fundamental insti-
tutions 50 well provided for its perma-
nent well being. If, in one state the
demagogue may for a time flourish.
corruption reign, the mob override the
true aristocracy of merit. that com
munity must lose prestige. The ma
ton as a whole will endure: the evil of
some Of its parts viii be eradicatcd.
and. in the long run. throughout the
republic, true merit Will have its just
reward 1t must ever be borne in mind
that men must work out their destiny
by gradual advances and that 1t is
not the purpose of the Creator to pre-
cipitate too soon the coming of the
millennium The institution Of learning
must ever exercise potent influence
to help develop the genuine nobility of
talent and virtue. 1t must teach that
the true standard of success is to be
great in culture, in character. in heart. |
in we'll rounded development of soul
rather than to appear great by tenn
porary selection to high station. Tacit
recognition of merit is better in this
world and in all worlds than to be
conspicuous without merit. Whenever
the crisis comes the people turn in
stinctively to their truly great.
After naming some of the great men
whose services the country has de- |
manded in time Of trial the speaker |
closed as follows: We confidently |
predict the contrast between the coun- |
trys true aristocraCy and the blight |
ing oligarchy of Venice will continue
the centuries yet to be. Worthy am |
bition to become a part of the nations |
real nobility will ever continue. No
patriot need despair Of our country's |
IL ,l.,t,