Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-06-25

day, when hope and liberty will have
forever set and some future poet,
amidst universal slavery and degra-
dation, will sing OF our country:
The star of hope shown brightes; in
the west,
The star of light the last the hest:
IL too has sunk upon the darken shore
And light and liberty light up earth
no more"
Whether viewed from the annalyti-
cal or historical point, school gov
eminent at any certain era is nothing
but the handiwork of its teachers,
its legislators, and its judges. The
responsibility for the moulding of the
character of a nation rests with the
teachers. Ii is their opportunity,
their privilege, As well as their sacred
trust To inculcate in the minds of the
nations youths. those principles of
right and wrong which are universally
accepted These are the principles of
a Wilson. a Bryan, or a Roosevelt.
We have an them a triumvirate of
statesmen who stand for what is right,
and care not what the world NAV say
againstihem. Whether ne differ or
argee with them in their political
theories. We admit the world is in need
81 such characters to place a restrain
ing hand on frcnZied commercialism.
II trusts were composed of individuals
of the calibre OF Wilson. they would
need M regulation but alas, they are
not. Not that We disapprove of
trusts. hut that We disapprove of the
methods used 10y the individuals com
posing the trusts.
Upon the Legislators of a nation
rests the duty of framing just and
equitable laws; upon the judiciary
rests the responsibility of interpreting
these laas, and upon the great seeth-
ing mass of humanity rests the gray-
est of responsibilities, the selection of
capable and honest representatives.
4 judicious selection car only he
made by eliminating all graft from
elections. The esprit de corps of the
country should be maintained in the
same way that is has been maintained
in the school.
Grecce, with her high culture and
noble warriors, fell. Rome, with her
many legions, her mass of wealth, her
great system of military roads was
gradually shattered to pieces, and
why? Because her young men became
morally and ply Sicially weak and as
cayeh from the root.
Gentlemen: Carry your code of
honor and industry with you when
you go into the world, no matter what
walk of life you choose, as have others
of this old institution and you will
find yourselves the men selected To fill
positions of trust.
Whether you will continue your
studies 10y going tn college, know
not: but this | do know: that when
you look back from some day not far
distant you will realize that the great
est debt you owe To this school and
the Washington and Stoncwall Socie-
~ will be for their contribution to
your character, no matter how strong
il naturally was.
The early moulding is the moulding
that counts. In this the college plays
a second part To the work of the pre-
paratory school. Carry before you
the standard set by Washington, Lee
and Jackson and you can he what
you resolve To be-
Morrver it rests with you to main
tain this standard of which | have
been speaking; and ] know you will,
for it is a vital organ of the life of an
institution of this character.
This, gentlemen, is the message the
Alumni would have me Impress upon
you, and with this thought | leave
Won