The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1911-11-24


pointed the way to the youth of your
country to life Of noble achieve
ment. 1t is my good fortune and my
pleasure to bestow upon you the
three prizes which the Board or
Trade and the generous citizens of
the county have given as the pust re-
ward for your earnest and conscien-
tious endeavor.
But we can. never adequately re-
ward you for the lesson that you
have taught us and those who are
to come after us. You have taught
us that there is the best way to pro-
duce corn and hereafter in this coun-
ty your record of achievement will
prove a blessing and an inspiration
to all the people. You have stmu-
lated honest endeavor. You Lave
developed the highest efficiency; you
have brought into action the lest
elements of your nature and you have
brought general good to the commun-
ity, the county and the State.
My young friends, you did not all
win prizes. You did not all expect
to win the prizes offered by our
board. But you have won a still
greater prize. By your endeavors to
excel you have shown those higher
qualities which make the real man.
You are the better for your efforts
and even though the highest success
has not crowned your labors you
have the satisfaction Of knowing that
you did your best and no man can
ask for or receive greater reward.
Do not be discouraged, but profit by
the mistake &C the past and enter
the next contest with the grim deter.
mination TO excel
And now let me say to all OF you
that you should learn now the worth
and value of labor. Do not early in
life conceive the idea that the profes-
sions alone offer opportunities for
honorable achievement; that no other
paths lead to honor and fame. / would
rather have it said of my son that he
was the best farmer, the most cap
able blacksmith or the most efficient
mechanic in Maury county than to
have history record him as a poor
Governor or an Indifferent represen-
Itative in Congress. There is 10th
ling more honorable than honest toll.
If the men and the boys upon the
farms of our land should cease their
labors for a single season the scenes
of woe and misery and desolation
that we should witness in this land
would beggar description. All the
world three times every day acknow-
lodges it's debt to you. Stay On the
farm, avoid the temptations and the
pitfalls of the city. Be producers of
wealth not parasites upon the human
race.
Alone Of all the producers of the
world the farmer has the satisfaction
Of knowing that the wealth wbicn
he has created has not, if his effort
has been honest and intelligent, Cim-
inished natures great store house.
The miner and the manufacturer are
constantly encroaching upon earth's
great store houses, you never DO II
you are honest and intelligent in
your efforts.
Let me remind you, if you do elect
to till the soil as you life's occupa-
ton, that no matter how broad your
acres may be, nor how many hills
you may cot with cattle, nor how
wealthy the world may esteem you,
you are after ali only life tenant OF
the earth that you possess. Ever
let your dltlJuuS U6 THAT VI d u uolSO
for the unnumbeI ed millions who are
to come after you. For long years
after your ashes have mingled with
the soil that you cultivated, the cry
of bread will be heard in this and ev-
cry other land upon the surface of
the globe No man no matter what
his possessions may be, has the
moral right, even if he has the legal
right, to deliberately destroy the
land which he tills. All of his
right, title and interest" therein will
cease at the grave. A million years
from now the earth's surface will not
contain an additional foot of area,
but the population is ever increasing
and not only does it pay to conserve
natures resources, but right sense
of duty impels us to do, it. Be a
builder. not destroyer. Never
abuse the bounty which benefcent
providence has bestowed upon you.
And now in conclusion let me urge
YOU to make good citizens as you