Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-03-11

(Continued from Page ~
fby rood that will come to the peo-
ple Uf this community from this IN
sti&utAon cannot, ut this time, be es-
liriated. officials and tax payers
puf0ay rnsde NO mistake in the part
th< Hsye taken in the matter. Tneir
ncts are, and will be. appreciated py
thta aad future generations, VINO VIII
ever b. under great obligations 70
then. and today We thank them for
th1ir e6ortS in the establishment OF
this educational institution.
We have IN our city a splendid sys
TEN Of free education. That is for the
young. The institution we are now
erectins will be a school for the grown
nm people, and that 1t will be well
patronized we have no doubt. Our
free schools can only prepare the
youth for a beginning In the great
undertakings OF life. This institution
Will supplement the work Of the
school and will AFFORD an opportunity
to the citizen to continue the cultiva-
tion OK the mind through life, thus
making each and all more valuable TO
sSpset5. ,
fson 1 financial standpoint It VIII
be money we'll and judiciously ex-
pended. The history OF the past
teaches us that Ignorance is fruitful
source Of crime and that culture along
right lines has tendency to decrease
crime. Statistics show us that the
money expended for educational pur-
poses IL more than saved In the Items
attending the public expenditures, on
account OF crime alone, and the Items
OF the efficiency and morality OF citi-
xenship that comes from education
cannot Be estimated In dollars and
cents.
This building, however well 1t may
be constructed, will like all other
structures OF stone. marble or bronze.
eventually crumble to dust and pass
away.
We are today laying the foundation
for another temple. one that will en-
dure for all time; the more noble and
glorious temple, Human Character. AL
ready many of the pieces have been
laid. Among them we have the
churches, our educational institutions,
this library. our civic and fraternal
orgahizations, our courts and kindred
Institutions, all bound together with
the cement OF human sympathy and
brotherly love. The excavation has
been made deep and all will rest upon
the solid rock. Let every piece en-
tering into the structure be tested by
the plumb line. square and level OF our
most exalted ideals. When this foun-
datiOn ID completed let US erect at the
east wall thereof, the column OF wis
dom that there may be wisdom to
plan and execute and that culture may
preside upon her throne for all time.
Then let US erect upon the west wall
thereof. the column of strength, that
there may be qualities of endurance
and power to be upright. good and
noble, and then let us erect upon the
south wall thereof, the column OF
beauty that there may be the proper
clements Of adornment.
It will take many workmen and gen
erations to complete such q temple,
but when It Is rightly constructed and
finished, these elements will bo so
blended and its colors will be so har-
moniois that the human mind will
b appalled, at its striking beauty.
Its strength will be such as to enable
1t to 90 down through the centuries
until time shall be no more, and the
great rGys Of knowledge shall be cast
Throughout AL to the end.
Mans progress in the future must
be along Intellectual lines based upon
human character and II he Is possess
ed OF that character that already lives
In our loftiest ideals. what prophet
II there among US who dare predict
tho bounds of the future aspirations
and achievements OF the human mind.
The historians will record great
events In the future and the poets
will sing great songs OF the lives,
chdfacter and triumphs OF the chill
dren OF men, but the history and the
songs Of future events that will be
the most attractive and sound the
sweetest will not be those concerning
man's conquests in war or the acts
and deeds Of the great captains of In
dustry. but they will be concerning the
Great triumph OF the human mind and
character along the lines of liberty.
equality, peace and human sympathy.
AZ workmen on this great and glor-
ious temple. let us perform our part
wei 10 that when we are called from
our labors here On earth we may enter
thet temple planned, executed anc an
ighSd by the Great Architect OF the
universe, eternal In the heavens.
Music by the band.
IN behalf of the city Willis A. Reese
spoke for i've minutes. expressing the
Appreciation OF the people to the
donor. Mr.. Carnegie. for the beautiful
building to be erected. and the benefits
OF such institutions to mankind.
Prof. E. II. Smiley followed In be-
half OF the schools, feelingly referring
to the benefit libraries are to the ris-
ing generation and pupils advancing
In years who are enabled to ind books
with which to gain thorough educa-
tiQa.
AUa. Chas. A. Pike then in n few
w9fde thanked the people for attend
Ing the laying Of the corner stone,
oxpressed the qualification OF this
towards Andrew Carnegie
who furnished the money for the
and General Palmer who do
mated the lots, and In behalf of the
members Of the Durango Public Ii
bray. thanked all who have aided In
The work eliminating in laying the
corAsr stone that marks the highest
and enlightenment.
With the singing Of America" and
benediction by Rev. Mr.. Grace the
closed.