The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-02

believe in democracy, in the wisdom OF
the people. But there must be mental
freedom before Their can be any genuine
political freedom. Our American life
presents no sublimer spectacle than that
Of the ordinary citizen with a potential
voice in the affairs of government. He is
an uncrowned king. But the sun shines
upon no sorrier spectacle than the man
who goes to the ballot box in blind ig-
norance of the great power in his hand
and votes as he is told by some contempt
bic party boss, regardless of its effect
upon his own welfare or the welfare of
those around him.
This, too, is crisis that this coming
century must solve.
Sometimes we fear for the Republic;
sometimes it drifts out upon the sea of
Imperialism-wh whittier we know not where;
sometimes huge corporations fix their
deadly fangs into the vitals of business
life: sometimes anarchy and socialism
threaten the very basis of society, and we
seem drifting very near the rocks and
shoals. But so long as there shines the
light of knowledge. SO long as the power
of mother and home exist, so long as the
influence of Christian teaching and
preaching are felt in the land so long
will the American Republic endure and the
flag CT a larger liberty float over the lam
CT the free and the home of the brave.
But mental culture is not enough.
There must be moral earnestness. The
foundations of the American Republic
were laid in the hearts and hopes and
lives of men who believed in God and
were willing to suffer and die for that
belief. On no other basis can ought en-
during be laid.
"Thc French people have great culture
but France is not n great nation its
civilization is not enduring. It's people
believe nothing strongly. they lack moral
carnestness.
"Chna's civilization is built on the
spiritual element alone. 1t has lasted
thousands of years, but it has never
had life and may fall any day under an
attack from any of the European powers
Greece was intellectual-the charm
and wonder of the world. but it could not
stand before the cohorts of the Roman
empire.
Rome was built on the material ele-
ment It's conquering legiOns swept from
the Danube to the Nile, but went down
before the barbarians of the North.
''These have all failed. 1t remains for
America to build a civilization compris-
ing all these clements of greatness and
strength
be in this coming century? The old
State is awake. Hear the call of her
mountains and her plains:
Bring me men to match these noun
tains-
Men to match these plains,
Men with empires in their purposes
Men with cras in their veins.
1T is the voice of duty and OF the CEN
fury that calls us forward and upward to
a glorious destiny
MEDALS AND DISTINCTIONS.
After the address Mr.. Morson
awarded the certificates Of honor.
Before doing so he announced that
during the past session Il great be-
reavement had been visited upon the
school and three of the pupils who
were loved taken away. TO perpetu-
ate their memory after their school
mates have left the academy and 9th
crs taken their places. a medal will
be awarded each year TO the student
| making the highest average i1 all
his work. This medal. which ~nvill
commemorate the student life of these
three boys, will be given each year
beginning next year.
| The medals were presented by Pro
Kesler and were as follows:
Mailer mathematical to William l..
Wyatt.
Nesbitt- Kendrick department medal
TO Burton +. Ray.
The Heck composition medal to
Mortimer +. Forrest.
The committee in awarding the
Heck medal to Forrest took into CON
sideration the years difference in the
classes and commended the excel
lence of the composition of Albert
w. Latta. of the higher class.
Mr.. Morson read the grades obtain
cd by the pupils in their respective
classes, commenting upon and eN-
planning the various branches of
school work. In the list of classes
named below, all containing 50 per
cent or over are ranked as passing
with distinction. Those making from
G6 2-3 to IS pass with credit The
two highest of each class. provided Il
grade, rs high as So is attained, re-
ceived the honors of the class. In the
appended list the position of the
name indicates the relative standing
Of the pupil in his classes:
First Spelling-(with distinction)-Paul
Pittenger, Walter Clark, Willie Jones,
Charles Bagwel, Gilbert Crabtree, John
Calvert Hubert Haywood, George Grea-
son, Burton Ray, William Harris, Joseph
Watt. Garland Myatt. Mortimer Forrest,
Charlie Lumsden. Henry Thackston,
Weldon Hardgrove. Robert Brown, Ern-
est Broughton.
With Credt-William Wyatt, Walter
Martin, Joseph Pittman, Joseph Gulley,
Willie Morson Frank Brown, Ben Lacy,
Grange Ashe, Winder Bryan, Hubert HILL
Second Spelling-(with credD-Charlie
Hicks. John Ray, Ivan Hodge, Holt Hay
wood, Percy Register, Frank Thompson
NorHect Stronach. Edwin Wyatt, Albert
Bretsch Charlie Latta, Wilbur Register.
Third Spelling-(with distinction)-
George Riddle, with credit)-John Clark
Craig Cornwall, Leonard Smith.
Fourth Spelling with crediD-Hrk