Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1913-06-20
Judge Norcross of the Nevada Supreme
Court Delivers the Commencement
Address---AStirrin Appeal for
Love of Country and Patri-
otism---A Masterpiece
of Commencement
Oratory.

that the earth was round seized
hold of the mind of man of in.
! trepid character,-a thought that
impslled the discovery of this
mighty continent. Nearly three
centuries more elapsed before the
people of this new world were
ready to proclaim and receive the
message of the Declaration of In
dependence. These great acts of
history show that Mans progress
and development for centuries in
the past. was painfully slow. it
was a progress of gradual evolu-
ton. 1t was q slow and steady
struggle from darkness into light.
We are still very far from seeing
the sunlight of mans perfection at
its zenith; but his progress has been
faster, steadier and surer, since
the establishment of this govern
ment. than it ever was in the his
tory of the world before.
TIL great soul and spirit of the
Declaration was the equality of
man-in his status before tn law.
equality in opportunity for his own
greatest individual achievement.
The Declaration was the death
warrant of the f~allacy of divine
right of kings to hold in very bond
age subjects from whom obedience
and submission was the alpha and
omega of duty.
The Declaration has not only had
its effect upon the people of this
continent, but it has had its infu-
ence upon the world at large, so
that today the blessings of liberty
and individual opportunity are n
joyed to a much larger extent in
many countries outside of America,
than would have been the case,
were it not for the precept and ex-
ample of this republic. In this con-
nection, it is to be noted that the
fundamental principals enuuciated
in the Declaration of independence
are of general application and APP
ply to the world at large, as fast as
advancing civilization makes any
people capable of enjoying, without
abusing, the blessings of free gov
eminent. These principles are a
beacon light of hope to strug-
Cling humanity everywhere, and
point the way to the ultimate
achievement, at some future time,
of universal liberty.
The history of this nation, dur
ing the comparatively brief time
that has elapsed since its birth, has
been one of unprecedented progress
and development. The worlds civ
ilization has advanced more during
this short time, than during all the
centuries of recorded history pre-
ceding, and this great advance has
been due in a large measure to the
ieaveDing influence of this mighty
nation of freemen.
We have acquired wealth and
power until today we are the fore
most nation on earth. But wealth
and power bring proportionate re-
sponsibilities 1t is said that:
1T is great to have the strength of
a giant,
But il is tyrannous to use it as a
giant"
So far we have not abused vi
power, and | have such faith in the
American conscience, that | do not
believe II ever will be abused.
Whlle we view with pride and
satisfaction that in our influence
upon the other great world powers.
we have unselfshly sought to pro.
mote the cause of international
Righteousness.
1t is a source Of pride to every
patriotic American that we have
made such tremendous strides in
national wealth and power; but
wealth aud power are not the most
important things that 90 to make
up q great nation. Other nations
have been wealthy al d powerful in
their time, but which no longer
haV" a place except in history.
What constitutes a state?
Not h%igh-rsised battlement or
labored mound.
Thick wall or moated gate;