The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-03-30

delineating the true nobility OF the In
dian character and the authors attempt
to show the utter disregard Of the
whites for justice. But while all were
good In this respect, there was wide
difference in the delivery of the essays
and the impression made upon the aud
ience. The Brookvills and Pupxsutaw-
ney contestants lacked much OF the fin-
ished ease and grace that characterized
the Reynoldsville contestant, and the
delivery Of the latter was free from the
embarrassing repetitions which occurred
in the other two, notably SO In the case
Of Miss Van Vliet. While the judges
award OF victory to BrOokville was ac-
cepted with good grace by the Reynolds
vile contestants, and while courtesy
may have demanded that Brookville
should have at least one winner In the
contest, the Reynoldsville people and
others present could not escape the
conviction that in this case at least JUS
tice was not done to Miss Ridgeway.
THE oRATIoNs.
Charles Knarr, OF Punxsutawney,
opened the orations with the career Of
Socrates. greatest Of pagan philoso-
pliers. From his first appearance as q
Grecian soldier until his death, the
speaker portrayed the grand nobility Of
his hero. Socrates was the wisest Of
men because he knew his own ignorance;
because he sought not to fathom .he
mysteries OF the gods but made his
creed "Know thyself." His peculiar
method OF extracting knowledge by
questioning was shown to be the best,
and because he taught humanity and
humility he surpassed the warriors Of
the world. Accused by enemies Of COR
rupting the youth, he disproved the
charge and accepted the cup OF hem
lock, ending his career with the majesty
OF god. In his peroration Mr.. Knarr
showed the philosopher as the great
forerunner of Christianity, whose in
iluence yet moulds the world. The ora
tion was delivered in slow, almost
mechanical way, and seemed to lack en-
thusiasm.
For Rcynoldsville John Coleman de-
scribed the glorious martial career of
Hannibal, who from childhood pledged
to Roman hatred, in life carried out
one OF the greatest military projects of
antiquity and brought great Rome 81
abject terror. Mr.. Coleman told OF the
early genius shown by Hannibal and
his command of men at eighteen years
of age. How he martialled barbarians
into valorous soldier and took his great
army over the Alps, descending unex-
pectedly into Roman territory and
pushed close to the very gates Of Rome.
And the speaker showed too the pathet-
ic but noble end of the great warrior
when Carthage, menaced by Roman
army, could neither support him nor
defend herself, and Hannibal, abandon.
ing the conquest Of Rome, returned to
Carthage, and as statesmen OF the
highest order done all In his power to
save his native city. Mr.. Coleman
spoke with freedom and force, having
his subject we'll In hand at all times
and merited the award which the
judges afterward gave him.
Julius Caesar, lawyer, politician, war
rior, statesman, historian and martyr
was the world-heroeulogized by Arthur
Scott, OF Brookville. So extraordinary
was Caesar, according to the speaker
that he must not be judged by the or
dinary standards Of men. He came a,
a crisis in the worlds history and wa.
an instrument OF the Omnipotent ID
working out divine purpose. He slew
his millions, but left to the world plans
ideas and great works which more thar
atoned. Like many another transcend
ant genius, Mr.. Scott averred, Caesar
fell martyr to the jealousy Of subordi
mates.
THE SERIOUS REGULATIONS.
This year the recitations were divid
ed into two classes OF serious and comic
and the division worked well. Fol
aside from the fact that different stan
dards OF Judgment are necessary for the
serious and comic, the Interpolation o.
entertaining recitations between the
heavier matter OF orations and debate
helped to sustain interest.
Anna Klahr, OF Reynoldsville. opened
the recitations with Little Bill" tn,
pathetic tale OF newsboy, whose sweet
simplicity In the touching scenes Of hi
last few minutes before death gave u
Miss Klahran opportunity to delinest.
child character, In which she has few
superiors. "A Dog Of Flanders," By