The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-05-29
GRADUATING EXERCISES

n AZ MANKIND. Other TuioIS may "ieiu
rower as extensive and even more
/ ABSOLUTE, but they cannot. like Napo-
1 lam boast of having risen from an
absolutely private station to the high
/ =. ninnacle of greatness. That Napo-
/ lam possessed greatness Of action we
need not prove, for no one will be har.
40 enough to deny 1t. His story is
NAT OF a man who raised himself
rom obscurity to a throne; a man
Tho changed the face Of the political
world; a man who sent the terror Of
h,s name across land and sea; a man
those will was feared as destiny; a
IAN who broke down the barriers Of
,he Alps and made them highway;
man whose fame was spread beyond
,ha boundaries of civilization to the
s,eupes of the Cossack and the 3es
erts of the Arab.
That he did much evil there is little
aoubt: that he has been the origin of
much good there is just as little.
not Spain, Portugal and France have
risen to the blessings Of the free con-
stitutions: and the feudal system,
with its whole train of tyrannic satel
rtes. has fed forever. Kings may
learn from him that their safest study
Is the welfare of the people; and the
hxr
Is no despotism so stupendous against
which they have no recourse.
When the Mayhower departed from
European shores she took thence the
seed which, planted on the soil of the
new world, was destined to grow and
ripen into the greatest liberty-loving
nation OF the universe. From these
colonies-colonies planted in poverty
and taxation, and fated to remain so
for many years-came forth some of
the greatest men the world has ever
produced: men who were born poor;
who had many obstacles to surmount;
hut men who, in spite of these Difficult
ties. by their bold and ceaseless work,
raised the name of their country from
the depths of insignificance and OBJ
security TO a position honored by every
nation of the world.
In that proud circle of great war
riors and great civilians who illumi-
nate the history OF the United States,
none should stand in brighter light
than the diplomats of the revolution.
The life of Benjamin Franklin is one
Of the most extraordinary instances
on record of what can be accomplish
ed by study, resolution and a consci-
entious nurture OF the faculties. He
was born in an humble sphere; he be-
mastered almost all branches of
knowledge. Aided alone by his own
perseverance and determination. he
rose to become the arbiter of nations,
the companion of sovereigns, ascend
ing step by step from the humble
printers shop to these exalted posi-
tons. While Washington was fight
ing our battles for us at home, Frank
lin was abroad securing funds, nego-
tiating treaties, obtaining funds, and
otherwise advancing the cause of the
American independence. AS philos-
opher his fame spread to the utter
most parts of the earth. AS diplo-
mat he received a hearing in the
most polished courts of Europe, and
successfully conducted the affairs of
his country through perplexities and
difficulties of the most trying kinds;
and as patriot he gained the love
and admiration of all virtuous and
honorable men.
Just as George Washington was the
hero of the first struggle with Great
Britain for American independence,
so was the back-woodsman, Andrew
Jackson, the hero of the second strug-
gle fought for the same cause. He
learned to read and write in log
cabin school house in the piney woods
VI ANOA III NsdI anu VIC NOV - N~~N
political truth that reached his heart
was that "all men are free and equal
The first great fact that .beamed on
his understanding was his country S
independence. AS a boy of thirteen
he witnessed the scenes and horrors
that accompany war; and when but
a year older, with an elder brother, ne
shouldered his musket and went forth
to strike a blow for his country. A
Joyous era for America and human
ity. But for him the events OF war
were full of agony and grief, for the
war deprived him of brother, father
and mother. Behold then, our orphan
hero, sternly earnest, consecrateo 10