The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-06-06

craft and immortality of the mother
country had become oppressive and de-
scribed the liberty which they found
here. This independence which they
enjoyed has become characteristic of
the race and for a time the remem-
brance of the tyranny of the mother
country created a feeling akin to hate.
The death of Queen Victoria brought
expressions of sympathy from this
country which showed that this feeling
had passed. The sympathy OF Eng
land during our war with Spain &C.
counted in part for the change. Miss
Campbell thought that the future of
civilization depended upon the Eng
disappearing races and was pleased to
think that America and England stood
SO closely together. The opening of
new century showed a prosperous re-
public and with new king upon the
English throne she looked for still
greater achievements to be accom-
plished through the combined efforts
OF the two nations. Her essay was re-
plete with logic and her farewells were
nicely made.
Another chorus, ''Boating Song" fol-
lowed and then Dr. Tarbox presented
the class with the diplomas. He made
few remarks touching upon school
matters and then Senator Moses E.
Clapp, who was to deliver the COM
mencement address, was intrpduced.
The speaker said that the value of
education could not be over-estimated.
While one man who has not received
an education in the schools may sue
coed in life, a thousand in the same
condition will fail. The phenomenal
success of some men of this kind should
not be referred to as examples to guide
the footsteps Of the young. Mental
training is necessary and the young
man who starts in life without it has
few chances of success when obliged tC
compete with his more fortunate fel.
lowmen. Any person who has acquired
common school education and fails tt
make use Of it as the foundation or
which to lay up large amount of use
full information does not deserve to be
called an American citizen. Circum
stances have been largely instrumental
in shaping the lives of our greatest
men-the Caesars, the Napoleons, the
Grants: the men who had, by close OBJ
servation and study, fitted themselves
for great responsibilities, were ready
when circumstances opened the way
to rise to sublime heights of position
and honor. Before Grant could have
thought of the possibility Of receiving
the sword of Lee, he had made prac.
tlce OF performing in the best possible
manner any duties he had to perform;
he made his company the best one that
could be made: he made his regiment
the best regiment, and the circum-
stance of McClellan's failure in his
command made it possible for Grant to
rise. Cushman K. Davis had studied
closely the intricacies of interna tional
law, and the circumstance of bastard
hand firing a mine under the Maine.
made him the man needed in national
councils, and he was equal to the sub
lime occasion.
In deciding the question of how high
to aim in choosing calling in life, it
is possible to aim too high. Parents
should study the capabilities of their
children and not encourage them to
aim at higher mark than they have
ability to reach. He would have them
aim just this high: To endeavor to do
with their utmost energy and COM
pleteness everything undertaken and
thus be ready, when circumstances
open the way, to step into positions of
trust and honor. There are times
when thing can be done, and other
times when the same thing can not be
done. The immortal Lincoln once said,
when a young man, that if he had
opportunity he would strike at slavery
a blow that would be felt throughout
this country. Later, while in congress
Mr.. Lincoln had said that he was in
favor of some kind of fugitive slave
law; but he bided his time and when
it came the emancipation proclama-
ton freed the millions of slaves. At
one time this could not be done, but at
last circumstances opened the way for
him to put into execution the idea
which, no doubt, he had cherished all
those years. Young men should shun
the cities. While there has always
been and still is room at the top, the
vast increase of capital is building up
the pyramid and the top is being con-
stantly made smaller. Young men
should seek calling of their own and