The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1903-06-11

upon the spirit and character OF its
men" Wealth does not survive; that
which survives of a nation is the idea
It sots In motion. Greece still re-
tains her sacred grandeur because
she bequeather to manhood lofty con
ceptions of truth. Political Greece
is dead classic Greece is immortal
Rome, clad in steel bowed her giant
form before the blood.stained altar Of
Mars. Her soul cravcd dominion. She
conquered Greece by the power Of
her arms, but Greece in turn conquer
ed Rome by the power of her mind.
Behold another striking example. In
our own country is an object lesson
worthy of the careful thought OF ev-
cry citizen. Let us take two Of the
states of our Union. widely different
in soil and climate. presenting a con
trast peculiarly striking Virginia
and Missouri. For richness OF SOIL
vastness OF resources. 1t is doubtful If
any state in our country can excel
Missouri Her hundred thousand
acres lying along the fertile valleys
of the Mississippi and Missouri riv-
ers are sources Vi wealth not only
for her citizens but support for many
more. This, with the wealth of her
mountains, the yield of her orchards.
have invited millions of souls to her
borders until proud cities have been
builded hundreds of thousands strong,
great mercantile enterprises have
been established. railroads have WOW
en- a network over her surface, pal
aces have been erected until the very
earth groans under her wealth. fan
Icy the Virginian would not want to
make comparison in this way. The
red clay hills of Virginia are not very
inviting to one after all this display
of wealth. But old Virginia stretches
herself like giant when she thinks
OF the men she has produced. If
Missouri boasts Of her fertile valleys,
Virginia boasts of George Washing
ton, and that means more than all
her valleys. If Missouri boasts Of her
cities, Virginia boasts of Thomas JEFF
ferson. When inspired by such
names she forgets to halt for com
parison and continues the roll call
Virginia not only gave us Washing
ton and Jefferson, but James Madison
and James Monroe, and the great Lee
family, and Patrick Henry and Stone
wall Jackson and Henry Clay.
II Missouri could be blotted from
> the map today she would soon be
forgotten. But II old Virginia should
, sink she would continue to live, for
she has immortalized herself in the
, production of great men. This after
, all" as DIR. Claiming says, "is the
great distinction of country. It's nat
ural advantages are not to be disdain-
ed. But they are of secondary inn
, portance. No matter what class of
animals country breeds, the great
question Is. does IL breed a noble race
of men? No matter what its soil may
be, the great question is, how far is
Il prolific of intellectual and moral
power? These are the products by
which country is to be tried" And
!, while 1t is undoubtedly true that
there is harmony between all our
. interests. that only is worthy to re.
main which lends support TO intel
lectual and moral growth
i. II we consult the literature of the
r ages we will find that the men and
women who survive are those who
-, cherished such principles.
/. Witness that fearless old Greek phi
n losopher, Socrates, condemned to
@ death, standing before his accusers
!. discousing on the beauties Of truth
A and virtue His last words were
r. these: Punish my sons when they
:. grow up, o judges. II they appear to
Q you to care for riches or anything
/. else before virtue; reproach them for
h not attending to what they ought, and
n for receiving themselves to be some
e thing when they are worth nothing.
d Witness him again sitting in his
n prison. cup of poison in hand. waiting
q the hour OF execution. Without tn,
r. quiyer OF a muscle or the excitement
y. of a nerve. he talks of the beautie;
q. OF immortality that await him. Soc
Ie rates Immersed himself in heavens
d highest principles and thus became
ia immortal
IS Then consider that matchless poet
e, John Milton. Inspired by vision o
e purity, he exclaimed: III God hai
k. ever instiled into any human soul al