East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-05-19

plonship OF eastern Oregon for youn
Warner, In the contest at Baker Cit
last Friday evening.
The oratlon IS original in though
and expression and reflects grea
credit upon the boy, who is but /
years OF age. He Is one OF Pendleton'
best. high school debaters, and nov
that he holds the high school oratori
cal championship of eastern Oregon
his literary hOnors are numerous an
well merited:
The Opportunities OF Youth.
The present is an age OF opportuni
ty. 1t is characterized by the activit!
. OF the young man. Every industr!
and every field Of human eDdeavo
is marked by his presence. He hal
won the admiration OF the world with
the success Of his undertakings.
Never before have the American
people been led by men OF so few
years. The young man is associated
with every recent reform or accom-.
plishment of Importance. Art. sci
ence, religion, literature and govern
ment have all felt the influence OF his
leadership. There has been a COM
plete revolution in the affairs of men
Commerce has been stimulated with
new life. political conditions have been
elevated. and the cause OF religion ad-
vanced.
T The American people have been
awakened with pride--yea. they have
been startled by the advent OF thls
new factor I'm life's activities-yes,
even the world looks with appreciation
and envy upon this new and most
wonderful type OF citlzenship-youth
great, jealous. unselfish youth.
Patriotism and pride prompt us to
eulogize the great works OF Washing
ton and Lincoln as types worthy OF
the emulation of any individual.
But when We reflect upon the up
right, honest and fearless principles
OF our present day statesmen and
champions of the people-Roosevelt
/ AAubhtot LII EOllNAltt FOlh anu lHt
many others, who. by virtue OF the
integrity and zeal displayed in the
cause OF the public welfare, have en-
deared themselves to their country
men-when we thing OF their ardent
endeavors, their achievements In be-
half OF humanity, we are constrained
to point to them as the worthy en-
todyment OF the highest type OF citi-
zenship OF the goth century. Their
lives, their work, their courage are
the objects OF universal applause.
These are all young men; they have
attained their positions not by leaps
and bounds, but step by step. Slowly
but surely they have climbed the lad
der of life; never forgetting their duty
to themselves nor that OF their fell
bowman. These men represent the
new type Of citizenship-a type des-
tined to become the acknowledged
leaders OF the world-a type honest
as they are democratic. generous as
energetic.
The earnestness and success with
which these men have engaged in the
larger activities OF life demonstrate a
great fact. one which should be ap-
parent to every young and energetic
American, that this is a land of op-
portunity, land wherein every am
bilious youth, inspired by vision OF
highest usefulness, may realize that:
Lives OF great men all remind us,
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing leave behind us,
Footprints on the sands OF time"
These men have all grasped the |
hand Of opportunity; so must every |
one who would succeed.
No country teens with such advan-
tages for her sons; no country con-
tributes so much toward their future
peace and prosperity as our
own. What loyal son of America
does not feel his heart swell with
gratitude and thanksgiving? Who
would not rejoice in the consciousness
Of living In a land so rich, so wonder
full. nation builded upon the rock of
democracy a nation abounding in
facilities unparalleled, un-
equaled?
Here, under the dominion of de-
nocracy, the youth stands unhamper-
I'd by the tyranny of monarchies, the
avs OF kings. Here, he may develop,
broaden, create and invent without
he suggestion or restraint of any
nan. Here, in an environment of .
rec education. he may attain a power
md efficiency enabling him to cope
with the severest obsta-
les of life.
Here, with these two valuable ad- [
uncts of progress-democracy on one [
land and the manifold institutions of I
earning on the other-the youth may
,ecome factor hitherto undreamed, {
power well nigh supreme. c
Opportunity Is abroad in the land. [
he youth who Is alert will heed his /
oice proclaiming: I
Master of human destinies am l! t
'ame, love and fortune on my foot o
steps walt, S
titles and fields l walk: / penetrate G
Deserts and seas remote, and passing t
by v
Lowell and mart and palace, soon or t
late, v
knock unbidden once at every gate; v
( sleeping, wake; If feastng, rise b
before +"
turn away. 1t is the hour of fate
nd they who follow, reach to every /
state
[ortals desire, and conquer every foe Il