LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 "1 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
A 
 COMPILATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 STEPHEXS MEDAL 
 
 PRIZE ORATIONS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY. 
 
 WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE ORATORS 
 
 EUGEXE L. KASTER 
 
 OTTAW 
 
 I S1 
 
 A KANSJ / V C 4 7V 
 
 7 
 
 KE33LER & MCALLISTER. 
 
 1884. 
 

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884 by 
 
 EUGENE L. RASTER, 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The great interest exhibited in the annual Ora- 
 torical contests, of the University of Missouri, has 
 induced the publication of this work. Great pains 
 have been taken to make this volume as complete as 
 circumstances would permit. To claim for a moment 
 that it is perfect would be presumptuous. The few 
 typographical errors are such, as are liable to be de- 
 tected in almost any work, and the reader will find 
 them no obstacle to a clear understanding of The sub- 
 ject. Our thanks are extended to ]\Ir. J. H. Drum- 
 mond and others, of Columbia, who have aided us 
 in the preparation of this volume. 
 
 George II. Coffman deserves mention as having 
 contributed an original poem of great merit. 
 
 Believing that this book will meet with the gen- 
 erous approval of all who take an interest in the 
 greatest Educational Institution of the West, it is 
 submitted to the public. 
 
 E. L. K. 
 
 Columbia, Missouri, June, 1884. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Defense of the Goths and Vandals, . . 1 
 
 The Modern Rivals, ... 6 
 
 The World Moves, . . .12 
 
 Principles and their Defenders. . 20 
 
 " Those Whom the World calls Weak." . 26 
 
 The Statesman, . . . 36 
 
 Ministry of Poetry, . .41 
 
 " Let there be Light," . . 49 
 
 "Man the Shekimah," . . . 54 
 
 The Ruins of Time, . . 61 
 
 William the Silent and Free Worship, . 71 
 
 The Great Problem, . . 77 
 
 Woman, .... .86 
 
 Goldsmith as a Humorist, . . 95 
 
 Biographical Sketches, . . . 107 
 
DEFENSE OF THE GOTHS AND 
 VANDALS. 
 
 BY W. A. LENTZ. 
 
 CLASSICAL students, bewildered and dazzled by the 
 gorgeous picture of Koman civilization, have for 
 centuries abused the Goths and Vandals, as the bar- 
 barous destroyers of a glory never to return. While 
 we would not detract from the fame of the countries, 
 which gave birth to Demosthenes and Cicero, yet we 
 would inquire, — as to the real character of those 
 barbarous nations ; whether they really deserve the 
 odium heaped upon them by the admirers of classic 
 lore and customs ; whether indeed the licentious and 
 effeminate Komans were, in reality, any less barbarous 
 than their broad-shouldered hard-handed conquerers. 
 A magnificent race of men were those war sons of the 
 old north. 
 
 They may have been barbarians, but it was a grand 
 barbarism, the germ of a noble civilization. Of pro- 
 digious energy, they had a strong passion for freedom 
 
2 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 individual and civil ; and with their thirst for fame they 
 were wonderfully pliant and malleable in their admix- 
 tures with the people they overran. The hommage of 
 our Gothic ancestors to the weaker sex had no prece- 
 dent among the nations of antiquity ; and the devoted 
 sentiment of those rude barbarians puts to shame the 
 boasted refinement of Greece and Borne. A thorough 
 knowledge, of the transactions of barbarous ages, will 
 throw more light than is generally imagined on the 
 laws of modern times. Wherever these northern bar- 
 barians settled, they carried with them, their native 
 genius, their original manners and the first rudiments 
 of the political system which has since prevailed in 
 different parts of Europe. They established mon- 
 archy and liberty, subordination and freedom ; the 
 prerogative of the prince and the rights of the subject, 
 all united in so bold a combination that the fabric, in 
 some places ; stands to this hour, the wonder of 
 mankind. 
 
 The British constitution, says Montesquieu, came 
 out of the woods of Germany. The same writer in 
 speaking of his own country declares, it impossible to 
 form an adequate notion of the French monarchy 
 without a previous inquiry into the manners, genius 
 and spirit of the German nations. Much that was 
 incorporated with the institutions of those fierce inva- 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 6 
 
 ders has flowed down the stream ot time and still 
 mingles with our modern jurisprudence. Man is 
 naturally a worshiper, and is elevated according to 
 the being he worships. The Greeks and Romans wor- 
 shiped gods made of wood and stone ; and even deified 
 some of their emperors. The religion of the Germans 
 was more spiritual. Go with us in imagination to 
 the woods of ancient Germany, and behold those 
 hardy sons of nature bowing in adoration to spiritual 
 beings, and not to stocks and stones. Tacitus says, that 
 they invoke under the name of gods, that mysterious 
 existence, which they see with the eye of reverence 
 alone. In point of morals the few plain maxims, 
 which regulated their conduct, had a greater efficacy 
 in recommending good and deterring from evil, than 
 the ambiguous systems of ethics, which were founded 
 on the doctrines of the Romanic teachers. 
 
 A people thus bold, vigorous and free, strong in 
 will and thought and feeling, simple in manners, eleva- 
 ted in religion, barbarous though they were, deserve, 
 surely not wholesale denunciation. And for the work 
 they did ; for which the curse decended upon them, 
 until vandalism means all that is atrocious : what 
 is it? They swept away the proud vestiges of the 
 empire of the Csesars, and what was the empire 
 -but a loathsome corruption, fit only for destruction ? 
 
4 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 As the universal empire of Rome had grown out of 
 civil war, so was it being fast undermined by discord 
 and competition ; and could not by any great turn, 
 have retarded the doom which was written on her 
 drooping energies prescribed by internal decay and 
 not all by external assault. That age was a rotting 
 and aimless chaos of sensuality and anarchy. There 
 was needed some infusion, of new and healthier blood, 
 into the veins of a world drained and tainted by the 
 influence of Rome. In the race of degenerate slaves, 
 who at the time of the Gothic conquest, still arrogated 
 the Roman name, every spark of manly courage, and 
 intellectual force, had been been totally extinguished. 
 The pillaged wealth and contagious luxury of the 
 East had debauched the simplicity of Roman manners, 
 sapped the very vitals of the mighty nation ; had 
 crushed the last image of liberty- and political virtue ; 
 and the empire had gradually swollen into a huge 
 mass of voluptuousness and depravity. An abject and 
 lethargic submission, everywhere, extended the influ- 
 ence of the same effeminate vices, under the degrad- 
 ing despotism of the Caesars. The Roman world had 
 sunk into such a state of utter corruption that noth- 
 ing less than a total dissolution of the existing ele- 
 ments of society, could have rekindled her moral 
 vitality, and reanimated her mental powers. The 
 
FRIZE ORATIONS. 5 
 
 vigor of the barbarian character, and institutions 
 infused a new and healthful spirit, into a diseased 
 and sluggish body. 
 
 Those Gothic nations took with them the very 
 materials which were required for building up a future 
 Christendom. Without the new element of vital pow- 
 er, furnished by the northern immigrations, nothing 
 would have regenerated the degraded people of Rome. 
 The alliance between the vigorous, healthy, and native 
 intellectual energy of Germany, with the rapidly de- 
 caying civilization of Rome, was productive of the 
 mightiest and most beneficial results. 
 
 Such was the character of the nations, who swept 
 away the crumbling ruins of "Imperial Rome," and 
 removed that huge mass of gilded licentiousness, and 
 effeminate depravity. Such were the germs, which 
 produced the vigorus and graceful shoots of modern 
 civilization, and formed the foundations of all modern 
 governments. While we glory in classic culture and 
 elegance and grace ; and lament that so much that 
 was beautiful perished in the wild blood that swept 
 from the north. We should not, remembering our 
 own Saxon blood, forget to pay a tribute of respect to 
 the strength and vigor, the freedom and earnestness^, 
 of the Goth and Vandal, conquerers of Rome. 
 
THE MODERN RIVALS. 
 
 BY BENTLEY H. BUNYAN. * 
 
 NATIONAL prosperity is bat a stepping stone to a 
 nation's troubles. Its prosperity induces competi- 
 tion ; competition begets rivalry ; and the name of 
 rival is sufficient to awaken the jealousy, hatred and 
 heartless schemes of its superiors. Rome, the land of 
 national virtue, casting her eyes across the Mediterra- 
 nean, beheld the republic of Carthage, whose dominion 
 of the deep, and superiority in naval strength, pouring 
 the most unbounded wealth into the lap of the queen 
 of the western seas, excited her jealousy and cupidity. 
 The waters between were not broad enough to conceal 
 the glory and magnificence which appeared on the 
 African shore, or deep enough to quench the fires of 
 ambition and rivalry in the Roman heart. Rome 
 persecuted Carthage to its destruction. The evil 
 examples of nations live after them, while the good is 
 often buried in their ruins. This same spirit lives 
 * Deceased. 6 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 7 
 
 to-day. England the mother of nations imitates well 
 the example of iiome ; regarding few as equals, ac- 
 knowledging no superior, she looks with a jealous eye 
 upon the actions of her sisters, and draws close the 
 reins of national authority. Professing to be the 
 home of liberty, sue joins the despots of Europe in 
 crushing out the spirit of French freedom — Napoleon 
 is banished to St. Helena, and English freedom is safe. 
 
 With a navy whose immensity peopled the mighty 
 deep, an army brave and devoted, a court reveling in 
 Oriental splendor, yet she trembled. Across the 
 waters was heard the prattle of an infant nation, 
 planted by her despotism, nourished by her tyranny, 
 strengthened by an equilization of every political 
 advantage, the home of the oppressed of every clime, 
 of the martyrs of every creed, of the victims of any 
 imperious and all grasping tyranny. She trembled for 
 the safety of her royal authority, fearful that it would 
 be overthrown by the patriots and pioneers of repub- 
 lican liberty ; men who dared to think and act 
 regardless of the frowns and threats of the Ocean 
 Queen. England having an ardent admiration for the 
 imperial adjective English, watched with the vigil- 
 ance of an Argus, the English colonies of America. 
 
 Whatever differences there may be in English 
 society, there is one point where they all meet upon 
 
8 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 the American platform of equality. They all agree 
 in being English, all agree in having a common con- 
 tempt for everything not English. With them liberty 
 is English ; wisdom is English ; religion is English ; 
 earth, air and hell are English. And this imperial 
 dogmatism is wholy destitute of that uneasy self 
 distrust which keeps through the vociferous boasting 
 of corresponding American phenomenon. England 
 regarded the kingdoms of the old world with a 
 haughty contempt, while she looked upon the new, a 
 country having the same religion, governed by the 
 same laws, speaking the same language, with a special 
 rivalry. The colonies rested proud and content be- 
 neath the shadow of England. In their wildest 
 dreams, Fancy never pictured upon the canvas of the 
 Future, a general confederation ; a free, powerful and 
 independent nation feared by tyrants, loved by their 
 subjects. America and her republican institutions, 
 her ever onward and upward march to greatness, have 
 ever been objects of jealousy to despots and their 
 frowning votaries. Occupying the post of 7ianor,iiL 
 this crusade against the liberties of mankind, stands 
 England. Various and powerful have been the schemes 
 which she has devised for the submission of the 
 grand superstructure of American Liberty. 
 
 As the colonies grew rich England tried to inter- 
 
PRIZE OPvATIOXS. 9 
 
 fere with their manufactures, and monopolize their 
 trade. It was unjust as it was foolish. The proof of 
 this, is the noble trade that has sprung into existence 
 since England has lost all power of checking the course 
 of nature. She taxed the colonies in defiance of the 
 first principles of English government. Forgetting, in 
 her blind conceit, that the Xorman Saxon lived beyond 
 her own narrow borders, she wantonly sported with 
 the rights of the colonies. She endeavored to fill her 
 own coffers by impoverishing the weak. Demand 
 followed demand. The colonies stood tottering, upon 
 the verge of ruin, ere the standard of rebellion was 
 raised. Trusting in the justness of her cause, and the 
 God of battles, she sent her sons to the tented fields, 
 and our republic stands to-day a lasting monument 
 of British oppression and American virtue. 
 
 The rapid advance of American commerce shook 
 England's supremacy to its centre, — hence followed 
 her demands of the right of search, and the impress- 
 ing of American seamen ; demands infamous as 
 unjust. Confident in the power of her navy, she 
 turned a deaf ear to the pleadings of justice; war 
 followed. England stood the acknowledged mistress 
 of the sea ; yet every American bosom swells with 
 emotion, at the recollection of the exploits of Perry 
 and Bainbridge. 'Not did the triumphs cease here. 
 
10 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 The cross of England is trailed in defeat, while the 
 emblem of freedom is unfurled triumphantly on the 
 plains of Louisiana ; another rebuke to English cu- 
 pidity. Yet England's rivalry does not cease here. 
 ■Go with me, if you will, to the halls of congress and 
 listen to the venerable Madison, as he discloses the 
 schemes of England for destroying our government 
 by a disunion of its parts ; and tell me if you do not 
 see the germs of the great civil strife that has dyed 
 the southern soil with the blood of America's noblest 
 sons ; tell me if demagogues supported by British gold 
 did not first sow the seeds of sectional hate, nurture 
 and feed it until civil war, with all its horrors, burst 
 upon us ! Tell me if England's treachery did not 
 prolong it. 
 
 But the dark cloud has passed. Again the stars 
 and stripes wave from the broad Atlantic to the Pacif- 
 ic, again the eagle sits wjth folded wings above our 
 banners, and war and strife are ended. The Future 
 lies before us. What is to be the destiny of the two 
 great rivals? We can only judge the Future by the 
 Past. The light of Borne went out on the altar of 
 centralization. Is such to be the end of the seaborn 
 empire, upon whose limitless bounds the sun never 
 sets ? Let the past give the answer. The future glory 
 of our republic depends upon the prosperity of its 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 11 
 
 members. We have passed through the firey furnace 
 of war. Brother has been arrayed against brother ; 
 father against son ; state against state. Nature seems 
 to be ashamed of the scene, and 'tries to efface all 
 marks and signs of war, or to veil them to the vision, 
 with a mantle of moss or the " long green leaves of the 
 graceful fern." Let him who loves his country, who 
 desires to see her occupy the zenith of national influ- 
 ence, follow this example pregnant with charity and 
 wisdom ; bury all hatred ; forget all animosities and 
 once more live and work in peace, harmony and 
 brotherly love. Let it not be said of the American 
 Kepublic, that she has a mind but not a heart. 
 
THE WORLD MOVES, 
 
 BY R. W. GENTRY. * 
 
 WE live in a universe of change. 
 "Every moment has its seperate history ; and the 
 history of no two moments is the same." Change is 
 nature's fundamental law. Is it not recorded in the 
 strata of the eternal hills? Is it not traced in the 
 wave-worn rocks of the ocean shore? Is it not breath- 
 ed upon the flowers, painted upon the cheek of youth, 
 and stamped upon the brow of age ? Is it not carved 
 upon the dome of every temple, and upon the fretted 
 fringe of every column reared by man? Everywhere 
 above, around and beneath us — his unfeeling, and 
 relentless iconoclast leaves his destroying foot-print. 
 
 To what, principle, to what superintending intel- 
 ligence, does he render homage? Is that intelligence 
 wise and philanthropic ; and have these changes been 
 for the better? Or is there no guiding intelligence? 
 As to the physical world the change is known to have 
 
 * Deceased. 12 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 13 
 
 foeen one of progress. Step by step the great plan has 
 been unfolded ; first a chaos, then a nebulae, then a 
 cluster of stars, then a cosmos. "First a wilderness, 
 then a battle field with savage nature, and more savage 
 man ; then a harvest field ; then a mart of commerce, 
 and lastly, the museum and hall of knowledge and 
 delight." 
 
 Tradition, in olden times always located the golden 
 age in the past, but if this world be the work of an 
 All- wise Creator, the golden age is in our future, and 
 the millennium is not simply a poetic fancy or a 
 philanthropic dream, but a reality. Tradition gives 
 way before the geologist, and his hammer ; and the 
 gold of the legend is replaced by the flint of the chem- 
 ist. The antiquarian draws the curtain aside and the 
 cheat is detected ; the world's progress is. revealed. 
 The stone age heads the list, next comes the iron age, 
 and then the age of bronze ; when history becomes so 
 busy with herself, that, she ceases to name her eras, 
 and leaves us to ask in what part of the series do we 
 stand? Is this the golden age? Pestilence stalking 
 over the land, says no ; wars and rumors of wars say 
 no ; ignorance spread broadcast over the earth says 
 no : communism, with its hydra head, in imagination 
 already stained with the blood of tyrants and alas ! 
 too with the life blood of every thing dear to human- 
 ity, says no ! 
 
14 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 Has there, then, been universal progTess ? Does the 
 retrospect warrant a hopeful prospect? Is life after 
 all worth the living? That there has been progress, 
 not even, the gloomiest pessimist will deny. Dark as 
 may be his view, nature rebukes him by emptying into 
 His lap her countless luxuries. 
 
 The locomotive and steamer bearing our products 
 across continents, along rivers, and out upon the 
 world's great highway, proclaim the world's progress. 
 The printing press, the iron preacher, is carrying 
 knowledge to every house. The electric telegraph, 
 that great annihilator of space and time ; tremulous 
 with the world's thought, is fast binding together the 
 nations of earth and carrying knowledge, industry and 
 culture into the brightest regions of the world. 
 
 When we are delving into mother earth and read- 
 ing her history in the rocks ; when with blow-pipe and 
 test tube we are studying the very constitution of 
 matter ; when with the telescope and tasimeter and 
 spectroscope, we are peering and feeling out into 
 unmeasured space, discovering system upon system of 
 heavenly bodies, and ascertaining the elements of 
 wiiich they are composed ; can we be persuaded that 
 the world has, in her onward marsh, lost anything- 
 she can ill afford to lose? What matters it if we have 
 lost the art of embalming ? It is but a relic of super- 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 15 
 
 stition ; and if the sphinx and pyramids remain to us 
 a profound wonder? They are but relics of despotism 
 and slavery. 
 
 Beyond all question, then, there has been progress 
 in natural truth. Has not the progress in morals and 
 religion been equally great ? The pyramids and col- 
 iseum are monuments of the time when muscle ruled 
 the world ; when might was right. We live in an age 
 of thought ; in an age, when the culture of muscle 
 has given place to the culture of nerve — of brain. 
 
 The learning and culture of classic Rome, in her 
 golden age, assembled to the oft repeated butcheries 
 of the amphitheater ; to-day, we shudder at the loss 
 of a single life. Thus has the world progressed from 
 brutality to civility and from civility to love ; from 
 the culture of nerve to the culture of soul ! 
 
 But the most characteristic advance of modern 
 times is that made in the science of government. The 
 history of government is a history of slavery ; a his- 
 tory of despotism, aristocracy, oligarchies, nobilities, 
 and the divine right of kings. And not till a century 
 ago, here, in this new world of ours, was the great 
 declaration made that all men are created equal. How 
 slow the worrd has been in learning this great truth ! 
 It is this, that is struggling for recognition to-day in 
 every despotism of Europe. It can not be stifled ; it 
 
16 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 will be heard, and woe to that government that heeds 
 it not ! 
 
 First slaves, then vassals, then subjects, then free- 
 men. First a despotism, then an empire, then a king- 
 dom, then a republic ! This is the order of the world's 
 progress and the order will never be changed. Doubt 
 it as you may, republicanism in some form or other 
 is the government of the future. And may this mighty 
 repu blic of ours, to-day the greatest example of the 
 world, never cease to be a republic, "till the last 
 sun shall set on the last eve of time!" 
 
 In order to progress in morals, advancement must 
 be made in religion. The religious element is the 
 strongest element in man. It has figured most largely 
 .in the world's history and is in some shape the basis 
 of every civilization. The religion of every nation is 
 the key note of its history. What progress, then, in 
 this great element can the world boast? The past is 
 strewn with the wrecks of decayed religions. The 
 religions of ancient Egypt, Assyria and Babylon ; the 
 mvthologies of Greece and Rome are things of the 
 past. Ceres no longer superintends the golden grain. 
 Appolo's tuneful lyre is unstrung ; Jupiter no longer 
 hurls thunder bolts from his Olympian throne. A 
 greater than all these has come. The true religion, 
 though a unit, is one of progress. Judaism itself has 
 been succeeded by its superior : 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 17 
 
 " The cedars wave upon Mount Lebanon, 
 But Judah's stateliest maids are gone." 
 
 The fullness of time has come. We live in the lat- 
 ter days. Christianity, the fullness, the culmination 
 of all that has preceded, has come. It is tinged by no 
 nationality ; it is an exotic in no latitude. It comes 
 unburdened by ritual and affords room for indefinite 
 growth, in that it is for all nations and for all time. It 
 is divine, it is perfect, it is ultimate ; it therefore does 
 not and can not make any compromises. It has de- 
 stroyed kingdoms, overturned empires and overthrown 
 systems of philosophy. It has civilized the savage, 
 emancipated the slave and elevated woman. It has 
 given birth to civil governments, lessened wars and 
 established peace and order. It has triumphed over 
 death, and made the grave the very gatewaj to heaven. 
 It is the friend of every friend, the foe of every foe, 
 of the human race. 
 
 The progress of tne world is not the progress of 
 any one nation or class of men, but of all classes and 
 all nations. Nor has the world progressed by eras 
 alone, but by epochs ; not only by peaceful changes, 
 but by mighty convulsions ! The waves of this great 
 human sea have moved to and fro ; there are times 
 when things look dark, but : 
 
 "Out of the gloom 
 Future brightness is born." 
 
18 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 The world moves ! 
 
 Every railroad, every telegraph and every printing 
 press proclaim it ; every laboratory, every cabinet 
 proclaim it ; the ruins of the past proclaim it ; the 
 pyramids, coliseum and parthenon proclaim it; the jury 
 box, the law book, and the international congress pro- 
 claim it ; every school house, every church proclaims 
 it ; every asylum, every charitable institution pro- 
 claims it ; every philanthropist, every missionary 
 proclaims it; business, commerce, government, science, 
 morals and religion all proclaim the same great truth ! 
 
 But the end is not yet, perfection is not yet attained. 
 The major portion of the earth is still either savage 
 or half civilized. Science has too many hypotheses.. 
 In morals there are too many conflicting codes and too 
 much imperfect practice. The world is still cursed by 
 many religions ; and even substitutes for religion, such 
 as cosmic emotion, utilitarianism and the worship of 
 humanity, are proposed. While socialism, communism 
 and nihilism are threatening the very foundations of 
 society itself. But these are only the ebulitions of the 
 pent up fires, within, that propel the vast machine of 
 progress. 
 
 Let science, morals and religion go hand in hand, 
 and as surely as the withered foliage of autumn and 
 the snows of winter give place to the verdure and 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 19^ 
 
 beauty of spring, so surely will each age of the world 
 be succeeded by one of greater learning, culture and 
 piety until, every nation and tribe of men shall with 
 one accord join in that grand chorus, " Glory to God 
 in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward, 
 men ! " 
 
PRINCIPLES AND THEIR DEFENDERS. 
 
 BY J. E. JOHNSTON. 
 
 j * 
 
 THE Creator governs the world on immutable and 
 righteous principles. A being of infinite justice and 
 goodness could not govern otherwise. The more per- 
 fect man becomes, the more he conforms to the divine 
 will, and consequently to the eternal principles of right. 
 The foundations of the temple of truth have been 
 laid deep and broad. Mind is the mighty architect, 
 which with steady and skillful stroke erects this grand 
 edifice ; no ephemeral structure to be swept away by 
 the storms of prejudice and error; no incongruous 
 mass to fall for the want of unity, but a gorgeous 
 enduring edifice, destined to stand forever, the joy of 
 the whole earth. Thought on thought, reason on 
 reason, principle on principle, are the materials of 
 this structure. Whoever from a love of knowledge, 
 or for the good of the race, labors upon this edifice ; 
 whoever lays the deeper its foundations, strengthens 
 * Deceased. 20 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 21 
 
 and adorns its columns, assists to raise its lofty dome 
 still higher in the skies, unites himself with the truth 
 adoring hosts of the past, and with them moves on to 
 future triumphs. 
 
 As the world advances, theory must yield to demon- 
 stration. A false doctrine, which has for thousands 
 of years been accepted as true, must at last give way 
 to truth assured. Thus, theories, which destroy the 
 symmetry of the grand temple, crumble away giving 
 place to harmonizing principles. Pythagoras discov- 
 ered that the planets ceaselessly moved in regular or- 
 bits around the sun and proclaimed the fact to the 
 world. The great truth fell from his lips unheeded 
 and for two thousand years lay buried beneath the 
 sods of prejudice. Copernicus declared it true, opposed 
 by all the unreasoning world. In the face of all 
 opposition he asserts his ability to bring forth the 
 proofs. We can but admire the courage of the old 
 man as he ascends the lofty tower to make experiments 
 on which hung his destiny ; either life and honor, or 
 derision and death. We see him in his solitary march, 
 from star to star, firm in the consciousness of right, 
 grieving that those who were so far beneath could not 
 follow him in his march through the skies. Truth 
 gains another victory. And in his dying hour the old 
 man clasped to his lips the printed page that proclaim- 
 
22 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 ed a groat truth which, suppressed for two thousand 
 years, became the keystone in the arch of science. 
 
 Unflinching integrity and great moral courage are 
 the prime requisites of defenders of principles. It is 
 often necessary that they attest with their lives the 
 sincerity of their belief and their fidelity to the prin- 
 ciples of the cause they maintain. Opposition and 
 persecution are certain. There is not a principle in 
 government, there is not a truth of science, there is 
 not a tenet of religion, but has had its opponents. 
 There is not a line of revealed truth, but lias been seal- 
 ed by the blood of martyrs ; even by the blood of the 
 Son of God. 
 
 Are not those martyrs for principles the grandest, 
 uioblest specimens of men the world has ever known. 
 " Truth" says Socrates, "is never confuted ;" neither 
 <can there besuccessful opposition to principles of right. 
 Such is their power, that they convert their very 
 •opponents to ardent defenders, changing prejudice 
 '•to devotion. Devotion which follows priciple is the 
 •sublimest of enthusiasm ; but grandest of all, when 
 prejudice takes its flight and truth comes in to till the 
 infinite capacities of the soul. The most despicable man 
 is he, who stifles his convictions of right because they 
 -are not popular ; who governs his actions by the 
 multitude, keeping silence while a great principle of 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 23 
 
 right is at stake, yet when it is about to become 
 triumphant, throws himself in with the clamoring 
 multitude, that he may ride to power on the waves 
 of popular devotion. He may ride with the tide but 
 with the receding wave will be stranded on the beach. 
 He makes a grand mistake, who looks at the judgment 
 of to-day, and forgets the bar of posterity. Take,for 
 example, the servile press of our country, the greatest 
 curse to our free institul ions, hound to the platform of 
 a political party, simply, because it is in the majority, 
 incited by the glittering hope of power; weighing 
 public disorder, murderand theft in high places, in the 
 scales of policy against a few paltry subscribers, 
 
 Scurrilous when scurrility pays, and libelous when 
 
 libel serves a purpose; boasting a free press, yet not 
 daring to open their columns to condemn the wrong, 
 except in a general and abstract way. 
 
 Let us have an independent press, supported by 
 men decided in opinion, men who will maintain the 
 right for sell alone; men who can see the difference 
 between duties and dollars, men who, when great prin- 
 ciples are at stake, are willing to pledge their lives on 
 
 the issues. 
 
 Principles are immortal. These walls shall crum- 
 ble into dust, this dome shall fall, f But the princi- 
 ples which have been planted here shall endure 
 
 t Referring to the University edifice. 
 
24 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 through time. As the sky aspiring mountains rests 
 on granite ribs of earth, as "justice and judgment 
 are the habitation of the throne " of Jehovah, so must 
 nations and their institutions rest on the eternal 
 principles of right. 
 
 Common times try common men, crises great men. 
 Webster, by acting according to his convictions or 
 duty, incurred the displeasure of his party. Friends 
 became enemies. The clouds of prejudice thickened 
 into blackness all around him. It was the crisis of 
 his life. But there he stood, in the streets of Boston, 
 defending the priciples of the constitution, hurling 
 in defiance, the prejudices of a proud constituency. 
 Opposition flees from such a man. His moral courage 
 knows no fear, when the public good demand his ser- 
 vices. 
 
 Witness Benton, who maintaining his principles 
 against powers and parties, against presidents and 
 cabinets, finally gave himself a political sacrifice in 
 their defence. The final triumph of the principles 
 which he fell defending proves their correctness and 
 his unflinching devotion to principles. 
 
 A nation's character is the sum of the deeds of 
 its great men. May the example of these not be 
 lost upon us. Let statues rise to their memories and 
 history write their names on her brightest pages. 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 25 
 
 They are master workmen on the temple of truth. 
 Let their counsels be obeyed. Let the republic be es- 
 tablished on their principles. Then shall the unhar- 
 nessed years sweep onward in their flight, to that 
 glorious point, which even now, the tear-bedimmed 
 eyes of a weeping nation can faintly descry. When with 
 our banner high advanced, the olive branch extended 
 to every people, our country, blessed among nations, 
 shall be the favored of Heaven and dwelling place of 
 Light and Liberty. 
 
"THOSE WHOM THE WORLD 
 CALLS WEAK." 
 
 BY G. H. DAVIS. 
 
 AMOXG the many stories of the bravery and 
 heroism with which the Tyrolese defended their 
 rugged mountain homes, from the attacks of Napo- 
 leon's armies, history records in a few simple thrilling 
 words, the glorious martrydom of a cripple peasant 
 boy ; how, when all other eyes were wearied with 
 watching, he alone kept virgil by the signal-pile, which 
 was to be the beacon light of his country's safety ; 
 how, when his quick ear caught the stealthy tread of 
 the approaching foe, instead of escaping into the 
 surrounding gloom, the young hero never faltered ; but 
 lit with his shrunken arm, the alarm blaze and his own 
 death flame, and how, as his blood fed the hard soil he 
 had loved so well, flash after flash from answering hill 
 tops broke upon the night, until his native land was 
 encompassed by a chain of fire, his countrymen arous- 
 
 26 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 27 
 
 » 
 
 ed, and a whole array defeated by the dying act of one 
 •of those whom the world calls weak. 
 
 Why is it, that the simple recital of such a deed as 
 this moves the deepest chords of human sympathy? 
 Why is it, that when the poet, the orator, the sculptor 
 or the painter wishes to send a great pulsing throb of 
 pity through the heart of humanity, he chooses such a 
 theme as this? 
 
 Why is it, that a universal thrill is felt at the 
 thought of victories won by those whom the world 
 calls weak. It is because of a deep seated sense of 
 justice in the human heart. It is the feeling of a judge 
 who finds that he has condemned an innocent man. It 
 is that the world acknowledges that it has condemned, 
 as weak and worthless, those who are strong and true ; 
 that the pure ardent patriotism of the lone young 
 cripple whose torch flashed upon the dark mountain 
 side, was of more avail in the hour of his country's 
 need, than though he had posessed the might of Samp- 
 son or worn the armour of an Archilles. It is the 
 recognition upon the part of the world, that all strength 
 does not lie in the apparent and ostensible ; that there 
 are imponderable forces in human as well as physical 
 nature and that they are as powerful in the one as 
 heat and electricity in the other. It is another evi- 
 dence of the gradual triumph of the immaterial over 
 
^O STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 the material, another trophy won by mind from matter 
 Slowly is the world learning the lesson of wisdom 
 in the grand school of experience ; opinion after 
 opinion has been changed, judgment after judgment 
 has been reversed, the never ceasing current of time 
 is forever sweeping the broken wrecks of error into- 
 the ocean of the past and the skies of passing centuries 
 are forever being blackened by holocausts of the world's 
 broken idols. Slowly like the gradual emerging of 
 some grand continent from a primevial ocean, rise the 
 resources of humanity on the view of mankind. From, 
 the first brute force was recognized, then intellect be- 
 came a power and still later the grand resources of the 
 human soul began to dawn upon the world ; thus 
 many who were weaK because their resources were 
 ignored became strong when they were recognized- 
 In the barbarous ages of the past woman was de- 
 graded almost to the level of the brutes, but as the sun 
 of civilization began to dawn over the dark valley of 
 the middle ages, woman in all the loveliness of her 
 character, in all the strength of her purity, came down 
 the pathway of his morning beams. Flowers sprang, 
 up beneath her steps, at her approach the warrior re- 
 laxed his battle frown and dropped his blood stained 
 weapons ; the slave threw off his fetters, the artist 
 caught up his pencil, the poet his lyre ; a human 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 29 
 
 tenderness and intelligence lighted up every face and 
 the word " home " began to be sweet to the ears of men. 
 To-day the philosopher seats ber upon her throne at 
 the fireside clothed in the royal robes of her strong 
 religious faith and pure example swajing with the 
 scepter of her gentle influence the destinies of the 
 nation, and crowns her the queen of the republic, the 
 hopes of free institutions, and the mainstay of fiee 
 government. 
 
 Whenever some towering, far seeking intellect, stand- 
 ing on the pedestal of its own originality looking far 
 away from the prejudices and opinions of the time, 
 descries some new resources in the broad field of its 
 possessor, he becomes either a tyrant or a philanthro- 
 pist. 
 
 If a tyrant he uses his power to shut down the 
 ■curtains of ignorance upon a suffering world. If a 
 philanthropist, he employs it to raise those curtains, 
 and Jet the light of knowledge stream in on a rejoice- 
 ing people. And just as surely as the philanthropist 
 will receive his reward, so surely will retribution be 
 meted out to the tyrant. The oppressors of the weak 
 never go unpunished. Long ere the world fully real- 
 ized the magic of song, Edward L, of England felt that 
 though the Welsh minstrel wielded no battle ax 
 .couched no spear ; nor wet his right hand in English 
 
30 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 blood, the wild burst of his battle song and the weird 
 simple music of his harp caused thousands of blades- 
 to flash the brighter in the cause of freedom, and kept 
 alive the spirit of liberty among the mountains of 
 Wales. Edward, the I., slew the bards of Cambria. 
 Green grew the grass, light lay the turf upon the breast 
 of Cadwello of the silver tongue and Lewellyn of the 
 gentle lay, until, another bard, the poet Gray, lifted 
 with the strong hand of his fancy, one of those min- 
 strels from his lowly bed and placed him in the, 
 
 "Rock whose haughty frown 
 Frowns o'er old Conway's foaming flood." 
 
 To pour forth with all the prophetic fury of his soul, 
 the curse of the bard upon Edward's ruined line. 
 
 The world is but a grand aggregate of erring human- 
 ity ; therefore its judgments cannot be unerring. It 
 has called the strong weak and the weak strong. 'Nay 
 it has been compelled to realize that out of seeming 
 weakness strength is born. 
 
 The world thought that the weakness of Holland 
 lay in the frailty of her dykes and the proximity of the 
 thundering ocean to her fertile meadows ; yet, when the 
 foot of the Spanish invader was crushing out her life, 
 her noble sons tore down those dykes and her ancient 
 enemy, the sea, came sweeping in to her relief and 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 31 
 
 tore the cruel Spaniards from the beleagured gates of 
 Leyden. 
 
 Fifty years ago the world said that America was 
 too new, too wild and savage to have a literature ; that 
 the Augustian age could never come until many cen- 
 turies after the rude times of Romulus and Remus. 
 Sidney Smith, in the Edinburgh Revieiv, propounded 
 his famous query, ''who reads an American book?" 
 Yet, who will not admit that, in history, poetry, sci- 
 ence, criticisms, biographies, political and ethical dis- 
 cussions, the records of travel, of taste, and of romance 
 universally recognized, as high standard examples, of 
 American origin now illustrate the genius and culture 
 of the nation. Out of our weakness there has come 
 strength. 
 
 The wild character of our scenery, the savage 
 beauty of our frontier, our lakes, the majestic flow of 
 our noble rivers, winding through a measureless ex- 
 panse of forest which tosses, like some mighty ocean, 
 its dark billows in breezes of spring and glances like 
 some vast sleeping sea, its thousand hued foliage in an 
 autumnal sun ; our fertle bosomed, far stretching 
 prairies, the deep toned song of spray-dashing Xiagara, 
 the poet of our waters, the grand and glorious beauty 
 of our fair young continent ; and the very fact of 
 standing out from the chilling shadow of the time- 
 
32 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 honored custom and soul-fettering ceromonies of the 
 past, in the warm influence of free institutions, has 
 given a freedom, an originality, a scope and power of 
 thought, to the minds of our authors, and lent a fresh- 
 ness, a brilliancy and luxuriance of fancy to their 
 pages which neither the smoothed shaven lawns, the 
 well regulated parks, the closely trimmed groves of 
 England, nor all the cathedrals of the continent can 
 inspire. 
 
 To-day our gray haired poet of the woods has taken 
 down with his trembling hands the huge mossy harp 
 of the blind old man of Scions' Isle, which too many 
 English bards have essayed to strike in vain. His first 
 wild notes carried the world back to the old Homeric 
 times and as his heart warmed with the true Homeric 
 fire, and that ancient harp rang out its olden melody, 
 a long forgotten strain of music seemed to sweep over 
 the hearts of men ; the spirit of the present became 
 blended with the spirit of the past, and the skillful 
 hand of our master poet had rolled back the waves of 
 civilization until they reached no further than the 
 shores of Greece. 
 
 When we bid a last farewell to the sweet minstrel 
 of the western woods, and he goes to sleep, with his 
 twin brother Homer, in the poets corner of the shad- 
 owy land of the past ; he will take the old harp with 
 
PKIZE ORATIONS. 33 
 
 "him, no mortal hand will ever strike it again. It will 
 hang above them as they lightly slumber, and it shall 
 vibrate only to the breezy fingers of grand old mother 
 nature, as she sings a lullaby to her sleeping poet 
 children. 
 
 The opinion of the world, then, is not infallible ; the 
 records of the past show that there may be mistaken 
 judgments of the present which will yet be reversed 
 in the future. 
 
 The world sitting in judgment upon the destinies of 
 two great nations declared that Trance though shock- 
 ingly destitute of those immaterial resources which 
 constitute a nation's strength ; though she has deep- 
 seated in her social system the canker of infidelity 
 though all faith in what is good, all reverence for 
 what is pure, all relish for what is natural, has died 
 out of her heart, will yet succeed in establishing a 
 republic within her borders ; but that Ireland, is doom- 
 ed to perpetual slavery. 
 
 And yet can it be that all the blood of pure patri- 
 ots, which has stained the turf of Ireland, has been 
 shed in vain ? May we not hope that the green island ; 
 from whose bosom so many noble, gallant men have 
 sprung, whose statesmen have held English parliaments 
 spell-bound, whose sons have fallen in so many battles 
 beneath the red cross of England, whose poets have 
 sung so sweetly and so well, that, 
 
34 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 "Their tyrants themselves as they rivet their chains, 
 Listen to the songs of their captives and weep/' 
 
 may yet be free, and the grand banner yet hang in 
 the halls of a proud republic. 
 
 Let him who battles for right, truth and justice 
 never tremble at ful min at ions, from the ocular lips of 
 the world's wealth and power ; and though his banner 
 be torn to shreds, his good blade broken and he him- 
 self forced to the knee, let him never despair, let him 
 remember that the opinions-of the world are mutable 
 and transient and that truth is immutable and eternal, 
 and will in the end prevail. 
 
 There is prevalent among all classes of humanity 
 a desire to be ranked with those whom the world calls 
 strong, and a dread of being numbered with those 
 whom the world calls weak. Yet why should we 
 shrink from joining the grand toiling suffering army, 
 which though veiled in obscurity fights the battles and 
 achieves the victories of the world? Is it nobler to 
 win the world's praise than to procure the green island 
 its benefit-? Is not a hero, a hero though God alone 
 sees him. 
 
 Is it not better to have the tears of one grateful 
 heart, shed over our graves, than the hollow thunders 
 of the world's applause roll over them ? What though 
 no poet embalms our name in verse, no painter traces- 
 
PIIIZE ORATIONS. 35 
 
 with glowing pencil our deeds upon material canvas? 
 Old mother earth with kindly arms will gather us to 
 her gentle bosom ; many-voiced nature with moaning 
 trees, her foaming ocean and thundering cataracts will 
 chant our requiem. 
 
 The tinted skies of sunset and of morn will keep 1 
 our memories fresh in the hearts of those we love ; and 
 when all these are passed away our consciences will 
 wear the approving seal of those grand principles of 
 right which last forever. 
 
THE STATESMAN. 
 
 BY J. It. LETCHER. 
 
 OF all the positions which man is called upon to fill 
 in his relations to his fellow man, the state more 
 than any other, offers an opportunity for the develop- 
 ment of genius in every phase, — yet history furnishes 
 but few instances wherein it can he said that he has 
 demonstrated his ability to properly conduct its affairs. 
 The clashing interests, of society and the many compli- 
 cated and often contrary demands arising out of them, 
 where duty and justice are constantly opposed to grat- 
 itude and inclination, must ever make the profession 
 of the statesman neither easy nor enviable. 
 
 Statesmanship in its present form is comparatively 
 a new science. Previous to the close of the fifteenth 
 century, which marks the great era of change in the 
 political as well as in the moral and religious mind of 
 Europe, eminence and influence were denied the non- 
 noble and conceded to the noble only in war. Surroun- 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 37 
 
 dedby jealous and usurping barons, the monarch was 
 refused the privilege of delegating his authority, states- 
 manship became possible only on the throne,— and. 
 royalty formed "a school too narrow to allow of the 
 progress or even existence of that important science." 
 There were, it is true, legislators, — there were war- 
 riors, — there were financiers who undertook to raise' 
 the state revenue as a matter of private speculation 
 but minds uniting all these various species of knowl- 
 edge and capable of binding their several interests 
 into one could not be found except upon the throne. 
 and rarely there. 
 
 The statesman should learn to accommodate him- 
 self to circumstances, — an essential element of suc- 
 cess in this as in every other profession, — yet how 
 often we see great talents, intense labor and long 
 meditation employed in a struggle against the spirit of 
 the age, and employed if not absolutely in vain, at 
 least with doubtful success and feeble applause. The 
 statesman may regulate himself by events, but it is 
 seldom, that he can cause events to regulate them- 
 selves by him. Often such men have only a choice of 
 evils and in the adoption of either discontent is cer- 
 tain, benefit doubtful. 
 
 The statesman should be a man of principle,— 
 morality in public affairs has much greater latitude 
 
38 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 than in private, but it is always judicious not to make 
 use of that without extreme precaution, — for there is 
 nothing except success which justifies it, and who can 
 be answerable for success? Is it not lamentable to 
 think what a gulf of impracticability must ever sepa- 
 rate men of principle whom offices want, from men of 
 no principle who want offices? The responsibility of 
 persons intrusted with public authority is an immuta- 
 ble rule and can not be violated without injury to the 
 commonwealth. In our day no statesman can hope 
 that corrupt principles will escape a vigilance that 
 never sleeps and an industry that never wearies — the 
 free press. 
 
 The statesman should be an orator, — that art winch 
 has exerted such an influence in the world's history, is 
 regarded by many as absolutely necessary for those 
 who participate in the affairs of State. In ancient 
 times this was true, — but in this age of progress when 
 #11 questions of vast import are rehearsed to the peo- 
 ple in the metalic tones of press and wire, the cadence 
 • of speech and the graces of action are silent, while the 
 rthoughts of the orator alone hold. sway over the minds 
 of men, yet the orator who appeals to the head rather 
 than the heart, who resorts to argument and not to 
 sophistry, who would "rather convince without per- 
 suading than persuade without convincing," is an 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 39 
 
 -exception to all rules and would succeed in all times. 
 
 The statesman should be a patriot, — he should 
 possess a patriotism that ever prompts to service, that 
 suppresses narrow, selfish instincts and stimulates 
 others to generous endeavor, — a patriotism that im- 
 bibes the country's life by the study of its origin and 
 growth, its outward and internal history,- that favors 
 the education of the people, the enlightenment of the 
 suffrage, the elevation of the popular character, and 
 the awakening of a healthier sentiment, indispensible 
 to the preservation of constitutional liberty, — a pa- 
 triotism based upon the useful, the holy, the just, the 
 true and the beautiful, those great forces that embrace 
 all there is of human power, whether it thinks in the 
 mind, thrills in the nerve or is developed in the muscle, 
 and never losing sight of the fact that all these are 
 better made in accordance with the laws of their 
 Author than under those imposed by mere govern- 
 mental agency. Patriotism is not only a legitimate sen- 
 timent, but a duty, - -rightly used "it is the sure and 
 necessary bulwark and support of civil communities." 
 
 The greatness of a nation mainly depends on the 
 greatness of its natural advantages and the use it 
 makes of them. The highest gifts of heaven avail 
 nothing unless skillfully and energetically appropri- 
 ated, and the manner of this appropriation depends 
 
40 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 upon the statesman. Respecting the accomplishment 
 of these ends he should not be content to have his 
 views merely known, — but should labor with his pen, 
 his tongue, by personal exertion and political sacrifices 
 of power and popularity to have his views prevail over 
 the public mind. The mere promulgation of an ab- 
 stract truth is not all that is required, — but to fit that 
 truth upon the body politic or incorporate it into the 
 social fabric requires profound judgment, clearness of 
 vision, firmness of character, unremitting effort and a 
 high moral integrity. It is not enough to have glori- 
 ous ends -the statesman should ever strenuously insist 
 upon the necessity of worthy means. He must know 
 and feel that he has a country and with that sagacity 
 which enables him to see " the top of distant thoughts 
 which men of common stature can not see" he must 
 apply the resources of the state to the common weal,, 
 confident of the result, and trusting to time and public- 
 justice for his vindication and his fame : 
 
 " The laurels on his honored brow 
 In age shall nourish and with time shall grow.''" 
 
MINISTRY OF POETRY. 
 
 BY MISS ELLA DIMMITT. 
 
 IX order to fully appreciate the ministry of poetry, it 
 maybe necessary to be somewhat methodical in a 
 classification of the arts in general, and these may be 
 arranged into two classes, the useful and the ornamen- 
 tal. To the former class belong those employed by 
 man in securing the comforts of life. To the latter 
 those which contribute to his pleasures. This latter 
 class, less numerous than the first, though of wider 
 application, includes what are called the fine arts," 
 namely: painting, sculpture, music and poetry. 
 Though this division be accepted, the line of demarca- 
 tion can not be too sharply defined. Like the colors of 
 the spectrum, they fade into each other by insensible 
 degrees. Many things designed for use afford abun- 
 dant scope for ornament, and many things whose 
 prime object is to please, are not thereby rendered 
 unfit for use. It has been said that the foundation of 
 
42 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 the tine arts was laid in the luxuries of life, and that 
 they flourish only in countries long freed from want 
 and barbarism. This may be true with regard to 
 painting, sculpture, and music, as sciences, but we 
 have every proof that the earliest history of poetry is 
 identical with the earliest history of man. The useful 
 arts are acquired by study, while the impulse that is 
 to make a poet, a painter or a sculptor must come 
 from within. 
 
 As no two persons see the same rainbow, so no two 
 persons agree in their views as to what constitutes 
 poetry. What is poetry for one may be the plainest 
 prose for another. The highest ambition of prose is 
 merely to express the plain simple facts, while poetry 
 performs a ministry of love, smoothing, ornamenting 
 and making beautiful and lovely the rough paths of 
 weary man. The true poet wields a mighty weapon, 
 for his advantage and elevation all nature is laid 
 under contribution. He whispers an incantation and 
 legions of spirits on glittering wings fly to his aid ! 
 He waves his magic wand and all opposition kneels 
 quicKly at his feet ! Does he frown ? Gloom and de- 
 spair envelop all things. Does he smile? The very 
 skies become wonderfully bright. In answer to the 
 question, is the poet's mission an ordinary one? We 
 have only to remind you that God Himself is a poet. 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 43 
 
 He never speaks in prose, but communicates with us 
 
 by signs, omens, inferences and figures. There are no 
 poems that can be compared with the sacred Scrip- 
 tures. The Psalms, even now after having been re- 
 duced to prose for. three thousand years, presents the 
 best and most sublime collection of lynical poems. 
 Then truly is the spirit of poetry a universal spirit, 
 confined to no age, and limited to no country. The re- 
 velations that have crowned the tops of Horeb and 
 Sinai have descended through all succeeding ages to us. 
 It can not be questioned, however, that knowledge and 
 refinement have a tendency to "clip the wings of poet- 
 ry," as they limit the imagination. Only the new and 
 novel charm the fancy, enabling it to reach the cul- 
 mination of its greatness. 
 
 As we look through the present into the dim vista 
 of the vague beyond, build lofty castles and people 
 them with fairy forms, or connect them with dark 
 myths of our own fancy, so, while unable to compre- 
 hend the universe, we fill it with demons or gods, dear 
 enchantments or pleasant retreats, as our muse se 
 to picture. Indeed the imagination is the p jet's great 
 talisman, and why repress our feelings of sadness as 
 we see the hand of science at work, hewing down the 
 barriers, and tearing us from our loved images by 
 rashly changing them into prose realities, thus robbing 
 
44 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 poetry of her sweetest essence. There can never be 
 another ladder where angles may ascend and descend 
 from heaven as in " Jacob's dream " of old. Alas ! sci- 
 ence has done the cruel work here also. Astronomical 
 research has measured the wide expanse between our 
 world and Heaven rudely severing the link that con- 
 nected us with the "pearly gates" of that "Celestial 
 city." Yet in spite of this, poetry has many dear 
 charms left. Life without this holy enthusiasm would 
 be the sun without its brilliant ray, the diamond 
 without its lustre. Poetry is the language of nature, 
 and it it is not a reality,, life itself is a mere phantom, 
 since all forms of poetry are imitations of nature. In 
 the expressive language of that classic writer Emer- 
 son, "nature itself is one grand trope, and all particu- 
 lar natures particular tropes." The various changes 
 and productions of nature are merely the nouns of the 
 poet's language. All the lower and higher emotions 
 of the mind — fear, hope, joy, love and hatred are but 
 a portion of his vocabulary. 
 
 "The world is full of poetry, the air 
 Is living with its spirit ; and the waves 
 Dance to the music of its melodies 
 And sparkle in its brightness." 
 
 The beautiful landscape, the crystal fountain, the 
 grand painting, the lovely face, are all poems without 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 45 
 
 ■words, and though the thoughts are unexpressed, they 
 are read none the less readily by the inspired heart. 
 Man is a poetical being ; perhaps he may not acknowl- 
 edge these principles or make them astudy, yet he acts 
 them through life. " Poetry is the royal language of 
 high born genius." It seizes the common-place topics 
 and clotnes them in such a manner that they surprise 
 and please us. How true the remark that "truth is 
 stranger than fiction." For instance, the world has 
 long thought that Truth and poetry were deadly ene- 
 mies. Strange idea ! At no time is poetry so well 
 fulfilling her ministry as when in harmony with truth. 
 There are no two 'friends in the universe bound to- 
 gether by stronger or more endearing ties, of affection. 
 In the earliest creation God united them, and ever 
 since they have blessed Heaven and earth with their 
 bright presence. Indeed the relationship between truth 
 and poetry is so near that they have been called twin 
 sisters, and in their progress through life they walk 
 hand in hand along the same pathway. But very 
 often men hear the silver voice of poetry, while 
 their dull earthly eyes fail to see the silent companion 
 •so meekly at her side. Sometimes the silken cord that 
 connects them is concealed by the rich drapery ; still 
 they walk together all the same. These dear sisters, 
 -though many times in plain attire and not recognized 
 
46 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 by the world at large, teach man}" beautiful lessons to 
 the musing heart. "When we read a grand poem each 
 verse so fraught with beauty and truth, 'tis the poetry 
 alone that appears on the printed page, while the truth 
 is engraven on the soul. Yes, the poet is the greatest 
 herald of truth, and how unlimited should be our 
 gratitude to this welcome messenger," who by his soft 
 whispers to us in solitude, starts a deep fountain of 
 thought and feeling in the mind. The ministry of po- 
 etry has won for her another sweet associate, less fair, 
 perhaps, than her sister truth, yet the connection may 
 be more readily noticed. Poetry and liberty are firmly 
 bound together. "When freedom unfurls her banner of 
 peace and prosperity and a nation is buoyed by bright- 
 est hopes for the present and future, then poetry 
 catches the breath of inspiration and readies its high- 
 est degree of perfection. As the literary productions 
 of an age always partake of the spirit of that age, so 
 the most brilliant political stars of a nation are found 
 in the genial skies of liberty. ' Tis under the benign 
 influence of liberty that poetry develops into a splen- 
 did system calculated to promote the best interests and 
 extol the greatest acts of man. Poetry, the hand-maid 
 of religion is often a balm to the weary and a conso- 
 lation to the troubled. All Christian societies sing 
 poems set to music, considering it a mete worship for 
 
PRIZE ORATION?. 47 
 
 Him who loves the songs which angels sing. The 
 most depraved man has been reformed by hearing fa- 
 miliar lines of poetry. Perhaps it was a chant sung 
 by his mother as she pressed him to her heart, or 
 perhaps a peice learned in the dear old Sunday school 
 of years ago. Even the soldier in his rough campaign 
 is more strengthened and encouraged by his national 
 verses than by any other influence. 
 
 When he hears the fife and drum playing an ac- 
 companiment to loved words, how his heart beats the 
 time with enthusiastic emotion as he nerves himself 
 for the severest conflict. Hence in nature and in art, 
 in truth and in liberty, in religion and in revolution, 
 the fair goddess poetry faithfully performs her duty, 
 making her charming presence felt and acknowledged. 
 
 Poetry does not confine her ministry to poems con- 
 tained in books ; we have unwritten as well as writ- 
 ten poetry. Wherever there is a sense of beauty, or 
 power or harmony, there is poetry. Full many a 
 heart overflowing with sublime thoughts and holy im- 
 aginings needs but the " pen of fire " to hold enraptured 
 thousands in its spell. The "thoughts that ■breathe" 
 but not the " words that burn " are there. Xature's 
 own inspirations fill the heart with emotion too deep 
 for utterance, and the poetry of the heart lies forever 
 concealed in its own mysterious shrine. Unwritten 
 
48 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 poetry! It is stamped on the bright blue sky — it 
 twinkles in the star — it rides on the ocean's swelling 
 surge, and glitters in the dew drop that gems the lily- 
 bell. It glows in the gorgeous colors of the west at 
 close of day, and gilds the rosy light of morn. It rests 
 on the blackened crest of the thunder cloud and paints 
 the bright sunbeam. It is on the mountain's height 
 and cataract's roar, on the towering oak and in the 
 tiny flower. 
 
 Thus we find her magic ministry wherever God's 
 precious gifts find a resting place. 
 
"LET THERE BE LIGHT. 1 
 
 BY F. W. KUMPH. 
 
 THE earth lay calm and peaceful as framed by the 
 Creator's hand. That awful calm and silence, 
 which death alone can give lent terror to the plas- 
 tic world. The Creator said, "Let there be Light," and 
 lo ! the sombre clouds which had enshrouded the earth 
 like a hideous funeral pall, vanished with the'gloom, 
 while the. stygian darkness crept back into the depths 
 of infinity. There in the east blushing hues surged 
 up and intermingled ! The golden disk sprang up 
 through shrinking night, and his glorious rays danced 
 upon the tremulous ocean. Yes ! darkness was hurled 
 from his throne and " holy light, offspring of Heaven 
 first-born ruled eternal space forever more." That 
 youngest day sped by but night ne'er ruled again for 
 there on high : "Glowed God's bright firmament with 
 livid sapphires ; Hesperus that led thestary host rode 
 brightest, till the moon rising in cloudy majesty, at 
 
50 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 length, apparent queen, unveiled her peerless light and 
 o'er the dark her silvery mantle threw." 
 
 Thus there was light ! Light in the physical uni- 
 verse ! Xot so with the light of truth, or the mental ! 
 In pursuit of that light the mind of man has followed 
 two main channels. That of religion, and that of sci- 
 ence. The man of sci ■ "from 
 nature up to nature's God ;" to trace the foot-prints of 
 his Creator, and shed the light of truth about him 
 through the stud}" of his vvorl 
 
 Alan takes the little flower of the fields learns the 
 it of its growth., and the secretion of delicate per- 
 fume, lie looks upon the mighty oak whose time- 
 worn trunk has braved the winters of half a thousand 
 years, and in its concentric history like 
 
 a life. 
 
 He scales the loft)- Cotopaxi, and while gazing down 
 the dim, dumb crater dreams of tl hing hissing 
 
 billows of fire down in the hot heart of that mountain. 
 He dives beneath the foam-crested waves of Nep- 
 tune's wide domain, glides among the shattered hulks, 
 the chests of treasures and those who sank, 
 
 "With bubling groan 
 Without a grave, unknelled, uncoifined and unknown." 
 
 He looks upon the monsters of the deep which wind 
 their slimy, loathsome limbs about the loved and cher- 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 51 
 
 islied forms of friends. He roams amid the crystaled 
 caverns of the earth, and reads page after page of its 
 volume of rocks. He looks upon the insect which flits 
 for a moment and dies, upon the monsters whose life 
 is told by centuries. Tie snatches the lightning from 
 Jove's right hand, and " soon the electric spark, freight- 
 ed with thought and love, flashes under the waters of 
 every sea. He takes a tear, from the cheek of unpaid: 
 labor, converts it into steam, and thus creates a giant 
 who turns with tireless arm the countless wheels of 
 toil." Yet, unsatisfied he turns his eyes up to the 
 belfries of the skies, and looks down the rows of 
 worlds, as you look down your lamp lighted streets at 
 night. He learns that already the moon is but a char- 
 red cinder of the earth ; the earth but a dying en 
 of the sun ; the sun but a blazing fragment of the 
 stars, and the stars themselves but dying suns, and ail 
 their galaxies doomed to pale and wane in universal 
 night and death. And yet with all this, the man of 
 science has best stood upon the portico leading to the 
 temple of God. 
 
 When, on the other hand, we look back upon the 
 scenes where the pale moonbeams of oblivion played 
 about the noble deeds of men. How grand and glo- 
 rious was the advance of Christianity. How few her 
 followers when her conquest begun in the East, yet 
 
52 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 how glorious her victorious march ; against the super- 
 stition of the multitude ; against the influence and 
 crafts of their priesthood ; against the ridicule of wits, 
 the reasoning of sages, the policy of cabinets, and the 
 prowess of armies she has extended her conquest from 
 the sacred shrines of Galilee to the light tossing waves 
 of the Pacific The altars of impiety crumbled before 
 her march, the faint glimmer of the schools disappear- 
 ed in her superior light! Puwer felt her arm wither 
 at her glance, and in a short time she who had gone 
 forlorn and insulted from the blood stained hill of 
 Calvary to the tomb of Joseph, ascended Rome's im- 
 perial throne, and waved her banner over the palaces 
 of the Caesars. 
 
 To-day e'en as she did when Bachel wept for her 
 children she raises up the bowed head of the mourner, 
 divests the heart of its cares, and blunts the sting of 
 death ! And when at last the scenes of life have pass- 
 ed by like some strange and curious panorama, with a 
 smile like unto that Mary gave unto risen Jesus does 
 she point out to the dying one the friends, on that 
 beautiful shore, who are watching and waiting for 
 him. 
 
 Oft have I looked up at that star in the north and 
 contemplated its value to roving man. How many a 
 weary mariner tossed upon the bosom of the angry 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 53 
 
 deep. How 'many a foot-sore wanderer seeking friends 
 whom he knew not where to find, has turned his eyes 
 up to that bright beacon of the heavens and ' been 
 guided by its cheering rays to some blessed haven of 
 rest. From earliest times that star and its north was 
 known. When however years had rolled into centu- 
 ries, man at length took the sand of the sea shore,, 
 constructed a telescope and turned its wonder speaking 
 mouth up to that mute field of humanity, and lo ! he 
 finds that it is not a single but a double star the one- 
 revolving in endless cycles about the others. And so. 
 back in those dark ages, the star of Christianity alone- 
 was seen and man by its cheering rays was led to- 
 " That hoi.ne where the wicked cease from troubling*. 
 and the weary are at rest," 
 
 When however, superstition had vanished, with the 
 gloom, impartial eyes were turned up to the star of 
 Bethlehem, it to was found to be a double llluminary, 
 the one the sun of Christianity, the other that of sci- 
 ence, the resplendent glory of the one lending brilliancy 
 to the dazzling splendor of the other, —both twinkling 
 for eternity in the lovely vault of truth where the 
 angels robed in their immaculate white, float and fly, 
 in the realms of endless day, singing heavenly hallelu- 
 jahs in praise of that Omnipotent God, who in the 
 beginning said, u Let there be Light? 
 
AX THE SHEKIMAH." 
 
 BY W. S. COWHEKD. 
 
 WE lead, in that strangest and holiest of records, 
 how in Jerusalem, city of sorrows, a temple was 
 built by cunning hands ; and all the world of its 
 abundance sent forth ample stores to wise king Solo- 
 mon. Ophir gave up her gold, Lebanon her cedars. 
 Architect and mason, joined with equal skill in rearing 
 a dwelling place for God. And within the temple, 
 guarded by cherubim and seraphim upon the throne of 
 thrones, shone the shekimah, glory light of heaven. 
 But wars and ruin came. The decendants of Israel 
 fled to the uttermost parts of the world, and with them 
 went persecution and pestilence and death. 
 
 By rude assault the temple fell and the despised 
 children of the desert reared an edifice with the stones 
 brought by the cunning artisans of Hiram. And 
 morn and noon and night, the Mussulman kneels to 
 his devotions upon Moriah's rock, once the resting 
 place of god. 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 55 
 
 But unhurt by time and war and ruin, the Sheki- 
 mah still exists. Still guarded by cherubims and watch- 
 ed by seraphim it glows upon the countenance of 
 every heaven-born son of earth. However degraded 
 and depraved, however clothed in infamy and shame, 
 and sunk in vice's damning dregs, that heavenly spark 
 will flash a moment into being, and proclaim the brute 
 a hero, and the man a G 
 
 Man after all, is but a temple built by more than 
 skillful hands, whose walls have never In ard the sound 
 of hammer and of chisel. For unseen machinery 
 raises from the earth each little molecule to fit it in 
 its destined niche. So day by day the temple grows, 
 and when at last it is complete the immortal soul 
 comes down to take up its abode. 
 
 The record that tliis tenant keeps the " whirling 
 mass of cares, anxieties, affections, hopes and griefs," 
 we call the creatures life, and in the story of a single 
 life, we read the history of the world. 
 
 Man strives at first with feebler animals, scarce 
 knows himself to be of higher mould, until upon the 
 tossing sea of life a noble ieebnrg, giant of the race, of 
 thought, rears its head to point him heavenward and 
 mind and feeling wake to sudden action. The crea- 
 ture thinks. The future glorious possibilities rise like 
 a mist before him and kindle in his heart a flame the 
 
56 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 ages shall not quench. He knows and feels himself to 
 be a spark of immortality, a torch to light a wilderness 
 of doubt, a fire to fit the soul for heaven. 
 
 When holy passion stops, ambition's goal takes up 
 the strife for place and power, and wars are waged for 
 gilded baubles and a nations blood flows with its riv- 
 ulets. Honors empty, little lure men on to death and 
 deeds the which a tiger might have done as well are 
 hymned in verse and sung by bright young lips, till 
 other hearts catch un the spark of passion and feel the 
 war-lust on them ; and are lighted on to still more 
 ruthless deeds. 
 
 I sometimes think each individual nature is like a 
 piece of music delicately writ indeed, and yet all hang- 
 ing on a single note, and so through life we dully plod 
 along until the master hand that sweeps the keys of 
 of fate, but strike the chord to which our soul is 
 strung and all the passion, all the life within lis 
 wakes to sudden being. Some find the key note of 
 their natures where the rude world strives for place or 
 rank or power, and call it there ambition. Some seek 
 it in the kindling glance that glows from dark black 
 eyes, and in the blush that mantles beauty's cheek and 
 there they call it love. Some only know it in the dis- 
 mal cell, where the love anchoret pours forth his 
 prayers, and dooms himself to pennance for his sins. 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 57 
 
 But whenever and wherever found, it wakens in the 
 man powers not known before. 
 
 Touch but that chord and you may lead him on to 
 deeds of daring, that shall form a theme for poetry 
 and song. Touch but that chord and you better still 
 will see acts of noble sacrifice of self, which the 
 world never knows <:>r ere appl m Is, but over which 
 heaven's angles weep, as they record the hero's name 
 upon the book of life. He, who learns to play on 
 such a harp divine, makes music sweeter than that 
 with which Amphion moved the rocks to take their 
 places in the wall of Thebes. 
 
 Such are the men who move the world. They learn 
 the music"" that with mighty wing-beat sweeps the 
 chambers of the soul." They gather up the chords 
 that lead from heart to heart, teach them to thrill 
 with pleasure or vibrate with pain, and when. they call 
 for good or bad, humanity stands ready to respond. 
 
 Caesar points to the walls of Rome, and the battle 
 scarred heroes of Gaul forgetting honor home and coun- 
 try turns to salute a king. Xapoleon lands at Cannes, 
 and ere the tri-color greets the sunlight an army awaits 
 his command. Unmindful of the seas ot blood they 
 have already shed for him, unmindful that their com- 
 rades bones bleach on every plain in Europe, giving to 
 this man all the love they owe to La Belle France, 
 they become his lambs to lead, his lions to incite. 
 
58 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 Even at this day and age, we, who claim to have 
 purified our nations of all their baser portions, and 
 educated into nobler growth the divinity that dwells 
 within us, still feel our pulses beat faster where the 
 battle sung- is sung, and lung to hear again the tale of 
 war and rapine ; and how the beast has conquered and 
 and the man has died. But savage war with savage 
 state must cease. When all his fierceness has been 
 quenched in blood, man turns to works of peace, and 
 reason bears her heavenly Home to guide his wonder- 
 ing foot-steps, ^o hand in hand these two climb, ever 
 higher, up the hill of knowledge, and the heights of 
 thought. Till to presumptuous grown, man dares 
 attack the very gates of heaven, and finds in all 
 consuming death a mete reward. .The three dark sis- 
 ters, whose seat is at the foot of the great tree of life, 
 and who ever water its rootlets with their tears, have 
 cut one of the strands their nimble fingers weave. 
 One little leaflet bearing on its face the story of a life, 
 has been borne away upon the sighing breeze. Will 
 the other leaflets miss it? Will the sisters cease to 
 weave, because one thread is broken? Thus dies the 
 man, so perishes the nation. Where are the mighty 
 kingdoms that once rnled the woild? Tell me Baby- 
 lon, Queen City of the brazen gates, why dot s the com- 
 merce of the Asias no longer throng your marts? 
 
PPvIZE ORATKXNS. 59 
 
 Par famed Illium, why grows the grass above the 
 rains of your sixth laid city ? Beautiful Palmyra why 
 do your massive col urns and fluted pillars keep lonely 
 watch over the vacant desert ? Jerusalem much loved 
 by heaven, why has a foreign prince usurped the throne 
 of David, and the temple of Solomon become a mos- 
 que of Mohammed? 
 
 From one and all the same sad tale, war to their 
 neighbors, doubts of their gods has brought the aven- 
 ging hand. Go seek their vacant sites, where once the 
 city's spires ruse fair to meet the gaze, now lies a mass 
 of mouldering ruins, and an idle savage turns in his 
 hand a bit of broken pottery ; or grows a little learned 
 reads from carved stones, and moulded brick won- 
 drous tales of those who once lived and loved where 
 now he reigns supreme. 
 
 Trul}, " the palaces of kings have become a den of 
 wild beasts, flocks fold on the arena of the temple, and 
 unclean reptiles inhabit the sanctuary of the gods. 
 Thus perish the works of man ; thus do empires and 
 nations pass away." How soon such fate may be 
 our own we know not. The broad diversity of our 
 country and national character afford aliKe the el- 
 ements of ruin and of life. The conflict of section- 
 al interests leads to war. The common love we 
 bear our country keeps us at peace. The example 
 
60 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 of our fathers should hold us fast to the faith in 
 our God. The spirit of our age doubts his existence' 
 Already the conflict has begun. While in the east 
 the pastor tells to his flock the story of the cross, thou- 
 sands throng the halls to hear infidelity proclaimed in 
 undying eloquence. In the. West paganisui sits idly 
 nodding in the sun, beneath the very eaves of ancient 
 monastaries. From the Atlantic, comes German athe- 
 ism and old world doubt ; from the Pacific, Confu- 
 cius invades the realm of Christ. God grant the 
 end be distant far, and nought but the arch-angles 
 trump, that wakes to life the nations of the past,, 
 shall peal the death-knell of our race. 
 
THE RUINS OF TIME. 
 
 BY R. M. COOK. 
 
 NOTHING but dreary ruins commemorate the glo- 
 rious triumphs of the past, Time remorseless as 
 death rolls onward, ever onward, crushing and oblit- 
 erating the grandest monuments ot human ambition. 
 We behold only the silent graves of human efforts, 
 gleaming in mournful grandeur along the " Appian 
 Way." Of his progress from Thebes to Troy, from 
 Troy to Athens, from Athens to Rome, — eternal only 
 in song and story. 
 
 The historian muses sadly amid the mighty ruins 
 of the past, he lingers with awe among the whitened 
 sepulchers of human hopes; views with sorrow the 
 shapeless masses of broken columns aud fallen porti- 
 coes beneath which lie crushed and mouldering the 
 statues of gods and heroes modeled by inspiration and 
 wrought by genius. The gloomy sphinx, with giant 
 brow, all furrowed by the shifting sands of Egypt, 
 
62 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 pers his mystic prayer to the god of day, but his 
 wierd voice sounding through all the ages reveals no 
 secret of the dead past. The zealous antiquarian may 
 linger long and earnestly within" the sombre shadows 
 of mysterious Mernnon, but the oracle ot the plain is 
 dumb to all his hopes, silent as the lofty pyramids ; as 
 the mighty temples of Thebes, or the buried cities of 
 Pompeii and Herculanium, that need not the genius 
 of superstition to vocalize their ruins. They speak 
 not in whispers, but in trumpet tongues and the 
 language of one is the voice of all. Once the proud 
 monuments of mans creative genius, they now stand 
 as wonderful witnesses of the devouring, blighting 
 touch of time. A few more years and the shifting 
 sands of the desert will have proved their winding 
 sheet, hiding forever the mouldering monuments of 
 the dead past. I ntinel of Pompeii, they 
 
 are eloquent in their silence, fantastic in their gloom. 
 The pages of history gleam with the glorious ex- 
 ploits of heroes and statesmen and poets. The great 
 monuments of antiquity were built to commemorate 
 their virtues. Man, in the very infancy of the race 
 seems to have appreciated the ravages of Time, and 
 with the courage and energy of despair he reared the 
 grandest monuments of antiquity. The unequal strug- 
 gle commenced upon the plains of Babylon, while the 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 63 
 
 tragedy of the deluge was still fresh in the minds of 
 all. The growing power and expanding genius of 
 man but intensified the struggle which wider and 
 fiercer grew as material for conflict increased upon the 
 earth. Time, eternal in might, spurned the feeble 
 efforts of men and laughed to scorn the very gods they 
 worshiped. Hurling their temples in the dust, he bur- 
 ied idols and idolaters in one common gnu e, as did the 
 vengeful son of Manoah in the house of Dagon. Alas ! 
 forth© heroes of the dim past! helpless victims of a 
 hopeless struggle ! Even the states founded by their 
 wisdom and nurtured by their prudence are gone. 
 The language that once stired the souls of millions to 
 deeds of virtue and noble daring, live but in the text 
 books ; is spoken only at the altar. The poets who 
 gave lite and soul and power to the classic tongues 
 have not so much as a tomb to do them honor. The 
 heroes they loved, t lie gods they worshiped may have 
 filled the world with their presence but time denies 
 them a monument in fee-simple for all their pains. 
 How earnestly they coveted such distinction ! How 
 vainly they strove to perpetuate their names through 
 all ages! Some spent the spoils of triumph rearing 
 glorious mausoleums only to leave the world in doubt 
 whether their bones were within the crumbling walls 
 or in the potters field without. The followers of the 
 
64 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 cross despised the grandeur of pagan Rome and with 
 pride born of humility despoiled the grandest temples 
 to build monastaries, convents and chapels. The tombs 
 of Emperor's became depositories for relics or prisons 
 for heretics. Instead of Roman eagles, emblems of 
 courage and victory, marshalling heroic legions to fields 
 of glory, returning triumphant with the spoils of con- 
 quered nations, the cross is borne by mitered priests 
 and hooded monks returning with Peters pence and 
 the victims of unbelief. Owls built their nests and 
 reared their young in the temples of Mars and Jupiter. 
 Time leagued with priest-craft reared the temples of 
 the Xazarene upon the ruins of pagan Rome, sparing 
 none of her proud monuments, not even the ashes of 
 her illustrious dead. If Rome is yet great and glori- 
 ous in her ruins, we have not to thank her popes and 
 bishops; we only thank them for what they spared. 
 The same may be said of Jerusalem, the city of the 
 living God, the home of David and Solomon, the site 
 of the famous temple, which contained within its 
 walls all that was rich and beautiful and grand ; all 
 that could excite awe, admiration and delight. The 
 whole world contributed to its construction, the na- 
 tions of the earth to its endowment. Its golden vest- 
 ments and silver ornaments ; its altars of ivory and 
 beaten gold, in its brazen sea surrounded by glittering 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 65 
 
 statuary, extorted the wonder and admiration >of the 
 human race. What of this vast temple to-day V Alas ! 
 it vanished before the foot-steps of time leaving us to 
 muse in silence over its departed grandeur, as though 
 it were a dream, or the recollection of an Oriental 
 fable, heard in childhood and almost forgotten. The 
 wandering Arab pitches his tent in the court yard of 
 the great Being, and the shepherd folds his flock at 
 night in the holies of holies. 
 
 The fruitful vine, the luxurious date and fig tree, 
 the vigorous olive and citron, — themes of song and 
 history, —where are those green trees and fruitful 
 fields ? The pride and boast of this God favored land. 
 This land of promise flowing with milk and honey? 
 Look but upon the parched and dreary landscape, dry, 
 crisp and baren, hoary from centuries of drought 
 behold the ruin of time, and ask not for the glory of 
 Israel has departed. 
 
 Thus time rolls onward through the cycles of the 
 ages, a veritable Juggernaut crushing life and hopes 
 and memory beneath his giant wheels, yet man, pre- 
 sumptuous man, exulting in the triumphs of his geni- 
 us, has dared to put forth his hand as if to stay the pro- 
 gress of this invincible chariot. Like the servant of the 
 Hebrew king, the impetuous ITzzah, who laid sacrileg- 
 ious bands upon the Ark of the Covenant, man has suf- 
 
66 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 fered for such ti mc-rity ; has paid the penalty of crimes 
 unseen of justice and unknown to law. Such has been 
 the power of time. Such the penalty of man's resist- 
 ance through all the ages. The good and the bad, the 
 virtuous and the vicious, the Jew and the Gentile, the 
 Christian and the Pagan stand alike in the presence of 
 all conquering time, all have striven ; all have perish- 
 ed in the strife ; yet time rolls around to other fields 
 and grander victories among the children of men. The 
 ruins that survive his progress are all seamed and 
 defaced, mangled and distorted ; but monuments of 
 blighted hopes teaching only the lesson of despair. 
 Where is the grand m lusoleum, of Alausolus, king of 
 Caria, with its massive columns and beatiful statu- 
 ary? Xot a vestig ; remains to rew ird the zealous la- 
 bors of the antiquarian. Artemisia builded wisely 
 and well, but time laughed to scorn her lab >rs of love 
 and duty. Where is tlie mausoleum of Alexander? 
 Once the glory and pride of B.ibylon, with its bronze 
 galleries, and tier after tier of glittering statuary? 
 Where is the monument of Augustus, crowned with a 
 colossal statue of the great emperor? The mausole- 
 um of Hadrian, the statues of which were hurled upon 
 the besieging Goths while surging like the mad waves 
 of an ocean about its marble walls. 
 
 The last alone survives, a papish bastile with a his- 
 
PKIZE ORATIONS. 67 
 
 tory redder than blood. The hand of destruction has 
 been busy, but we are not left in doubt as to the mag- 
 nificence of pagan civilization. The wasting powers 
 of time have razed mausoleums of solid granite, crush- 
 ing columns of Parian marble and hurled from lofty 
 pedestals the statues of the gods and heroes, but 
 through all this carnival of ruin, some fragments have 
 yet escaped even down to our own age, an age which 
 cherishes with laudable pride, and zealous care all that 
 time has left to commemorate the bright and glorious 
 past. But we look in vain for the academy and the 
 Lyceum, for the famous portico from which resounded 
 the voice of Plato, Zeno and their illustrious compet- 
 itors. Those grand receptacles of learning, liberty, and 
 laws are prostrate in the dust. The glory of Athens 
 lives only in the silent tones of history. The temple 
 of Diana of Ephesus, and the oracles of Delphi have 
 likewise perished went down before the flaming sword 
 of the Arabian fanatic, who came with command- 
 ments in one hand and the sword in the other. The 
 palace of Nero and the shrine of Apollo are- mingled 
 with the ruins of the forum, the tribunal and the 
 rostrum. The grand Coliseum, where the despairing 
 gladiators poured out their life blood to amuse the 
 Roman populace, remains a dreary mass of stone and 
 mortar, ivy-grown and almost hidden from the light 
 of day. 
 
68 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 The Goths and Vandals, the warlike hordes of the 
 Arabian prophet, the torrent of civil commotion, the 
 the fanatical votaries of the cross, the fierce struggle 
 for liberty of conscience, tne despotism of popes, em- 
 perors and kings all contributed to the overthrow of 
 what centuries of prosperity, culture and power had 
 erected along the fruitful shores of the Mediterranean, 
 the "Garden of the gods" reaching from Byzantium 
 to the gates of Hercules. Thus time seemes to have 
 suborned the very genius and power of man against 
 •all that was sublime and noble among the works of 
 men. 
 
 Happily for those, who honor their race and cherish 
 that which is good and great and beautiful in human 
 nature, time has not yet been able to wholy obliterate 
 •the memory of human greatness. The history of man's 
 achievements will remain forever like precious heir- 
 looms among the children of men. The historians and 
 poets perhaps obscure and despised in their day have 
 snatched the world's great heroes from oblivion. 
 Their written pages multiplied by thousands w r ere 
 soon beyond the rapacious zeal of bigots. The edicts 
 of spiritual tyrants could not reach all the hidden 
 tomes of learning and to preserve one copy was suffi- 
 cient to save the genius of its author, and the ex- 
 ploits of his. age from oblivion. The very machinery 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 69 
 
 which priest-craft put in motion to obliterate pagan 
 civilization and culture recoiled in the salvation of 
 many precious volumes. The lazy monks, isolated in 
 their dreary cloisters, spent the best years of their 
 lives in copying the works of pagan authors and when 
 popes and bishops stretched forth their hands to 
 distroy the literature of the past, their zealous ef- 
 forts proved abortive, thanks to the servants of the 
 church who builded wiser than they knew. The lessons 
 of the past and the realization of the present, should 
 humble the proudest heart. There is nothing immuta- 
 ble in this vast world of ours; nothing in the life we 
 cherish. If the journey of life ends with our three 
 score years and ten, it is not much to live, still less to 
 
 die. 
 
 If it be true, that : 
 
 " It is not all of life to live 
 Xor all of death to die." 
 
 Then, there must be rewards, perhaps punishments 
 beyond the power and dominion of death. It is an at- 
 tribute of nature to hope, though we may not be able 
 to give a reason for the hopes we cherish. When 
 weary of the retrospective ; sad from contemplating 
 the ravages of time and the unstability of human 
 efforts, wenaturaly look forward to eternity, wherein 
 the living are supposed to be co-existing and co-exten- 
 
70 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 sive with time itself. This is hope, the pillar of fire 
 by night, that rests like an angel of peace and mercy 
 over the sanctuary of many hearts. Happy are those 
 who can felicitate themselves with such thoughts, for 
 the ravages of time, even death itself has no terrors 
 to the hopeful. This world ma) perish ; may be roll- 
 ed together like a scroll ; may melt with fervent heat, 
 it is all the same to those waiting, trusting, hopeful 
 mortals, whose faith enables them to look beyond the 
 confines of this perishable world to one imperishable, 
 radiant with light and beauty. There are no limits to 
 the hopes of immortality nor to the duration of felic- 
 ity, it is a picture seen only through the eyes of faith ; 
 a picture graven by the hand of God upon the minds 
 -of men ; a picture without shadow and without gloom ; 
 it picture as glorious as the substance it represents ; 
 as bright as the light that beats upon the very throne 
 of God. 
 
WILLIAM THE SILENT AND FREE 
 WORSHIP. 
 
 BY PAUL ALEXANDER. 
 
 WHEN Charles V., abdicated his crown and left 
 to his son the performance of the terrible 
 policy, which he had begun ; he leaned upon the 
 shoulder of the man, who was destined to deal that 
 policy its most fatal blow. When Philip and his re- 
 gents were sending persecution and deatli among their 
 subjects and converting rich and prosperous cities into 
 smoke and ashes, they were compelled to lean upon 
 the shoulder of the man whose power they dared 
 not resist; yet whose genius they recognized as their 
 deadliest and most implacable foe. 
 
 When all the Netherlands were writhing under the 
 wnip and torture of a pitiless foreign tyrant, and the 
 last hope of mercy from their king'had died in darkness 
 and misery ; they leaned in utter helplessness upon the 
 shoulder of William of Nassau, Prince of Orange. 
 
 The great religious contest had been postponed, for 
 
»'2 MEDAL 
 
 some dozen years,in Germany, by the Augsburg trea- 
 ty, in France by the crafty policy of Catharine, in the 
 surrounding countries the contending factions had 
 been brought to a halt, and the great st niggle bcl ween 
 faith and conscience on the one hand, and bigotry and 
 outrageous greed upon the other was transferred to 
 the Netherlands there to be fought out for the rest of 
 the century, while all Christendom was anxiously 
 waiting the result. From the east, and from the west 
 the dark clouds of war foiled hack only to concen- 
 trate themselves in more portentious darkness over 
 the devoted soil of the Netherlands. The storm had 
 been long in maturing but when it burst forth, it was 
 like some huge Hood in its onward course yielding 
 here, hesitating there, but as resistless in its progress 
 and as irresistaMe in its results as the will of the 
 eternal God from whom it sprang; audit would ho 
 more philosophical to inquire how it had resisted so 
 lou-' than to ask, why should such an outbreak occur. 
 It was the outburst of a principle, which had been 
 repressed, for ages by inonarchs and prelates, w hose 
 
 every idea of justice was sullied by tie' greediness of 
 their own boundless desires. The noblesso conspicu- 
 ous, on its surface, at its outbreak, only drifted before 
 a storm, which they neither created nor could control ; 
 
 even the most powerful and sagacious were tossed to 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 73 
 
 and fro, by the surge of great events, which as they 
 rolled more and more tumultuously around them 
 seemed to become both irresistible, and uncontrollable. 
 It could not be find nations advancing so rapidly, in 
 
 the higher arts should retain in their midst this 
 eternal foe of ci v ili/at ion. That extraordinary culture 
 had not dawned upon the world only to increase the 
 power of absolutism and superstition ; the new world 
 had not been discovered, the Old World re-con<|nered ; 
 the printing press perfected, merely t hat the I nqnisit ion 
 
 might reign undisturbed overall tin; earth, and charter- 
 ed hypocrisy fatten upon fh of its fairest lands. 
 Such was the stream against which the brave 
 William set his noble breast, and such were the 
 conditions of the times, when Ik; struck the first blow 
 for religious liberty, and held up to the view of all 
 mankind, the brighest jewel that sparkles in the crown 
 of modern civilization. When, in tin; woods of 
 Vineennes, the blundering French king committed to 
 the ears of William the Silent, the plot of two kings 
 against their subjects ; he stirred up in that breast, the 
 spirit that was destined to be his bitterest enemy, and 
 which wrapped itself in attentive silence ; and from 
 that day begun the preparation which was to free an 
 innocent people from the hated yoke of a cruel and 
 relentless king. 
 
74 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 It is difficult for men, placed in a country, and 
 living in a cold calculating age like this, to form a 
 just idea of the contrast between the nobility of 
 such a man, and the mean ess and perfidy of the 
 statesmen of his age. To do this we must lift the 
 veil from those woeful ages, and look upon the events 
 that fill the reddest pages in the history of religious 
 persecution. When men, women, and children were 
 driven in droves to the stake; when to effect the 
 elevation of the nobility there were introduced into 
 the country all the terrors of the dread Spanish 
 Inquisition; when outlawed criminals, and merciless 
 fanatics banded themselves under a common standard ; 
 and under that semblance of religion, duly committed 
 the foulest crimes that history has ever recorded. To 
 see the greatness of his intellect we must consider the 
 bigotry of Philip, the craftiness of Granville, the 
 brutal cruelty of Alva, against all of whom, single 
 handed and alone, he contended for the welfare of the 
 people who had turned to him as their only saviour. 
 
 To estimate his abilities as a general we must 
 consider the readiness with which he made soldiers of 
 merchants, regulars of tradesman, who had been 
 strangers to the sword, and with them fought with 
 success against the best trained troops, in Europe, led 
 by the most brilliant of Spanish captains. He lived 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 75 
 
 in an age when duplicity, and cunning were considered 
 the chief ingredients of statesmanship- He dealt with 
 a king, who while he caressed and fondled him to his 
 face was continually attempting to stab him in the 
 back. His path through life was beset at every step 
 by the bullets and daggers of the hired assassins of 
 Philip. Yet midst all the turmoil, and confusion of 
 the age ; midst all the crime and calumny of his 
 enemies, he reared himself like some great mountain 
 peak, whose brow is unsullied by the murky mists 
 that play around its base ; whose form looms up only 
 the greater from being viewed through the darkness, 
 and gloom of the age. 
 
 But what was it for which he was contending with 
 such devoted zeal? And what was to be the result of 
 the work of a man, who lived and died ior the 
 principles he upheld? 
 
 The assassin's bullet, alas ! finally found the vitals 
 of Orange, but the eternal law whose justice he was 
 maintaining could never die. Deep down in the 
 hearts of all people there was growing the conviction 
 that every man should worship as he chose ; and 
 welling up from countless fountain heads, it has 
 spread itself over every land, and melted before it the 
 last vestige of human opposition. 
 
 Right in front of the batteries, of the Inquisition, 
 
76 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 there was planted a tender twig of this divine spirit, 
 whose vital spark was only increased by the tannings 
 of adversity, and taking root in that sandy soil it has 
 grown and spread its brances till their shadows fall in 
 every land ; and to day mark the boundary line 
 betweeen barbarism and civilization. 
 
 In every town where beauty dwells. In every 
 home where knees are bent. In every voice that sings 
 God's praise, we hear it speak in tones of love, and 
 see it reign in perfect peace. Out from its source, in- 
 exhaustable and pure, that river of life is flowing to- 
 day and wending its way through the garden of life, it 
 reflects back the scenes on its shady banks, and height- 
 ens their beauty in its sparkling waves. 
 
THE GREAT PROBLEM. 
 
 BY A. M. ELSTON. 
 
 NEWTOX solved the great problem of the universe, 
 and gave to the world that mysterious principle, 
 by which moons, planets and trembling stars hangout 
 in space unsupported. The Astronomer has succeed- 
 ed in unwinding the eternal dance of the skies, and 
 we now watch with awe and admiration, the move- 
 ment of the spheres. 
 
 The untiring research of the scientist have unveil- 
 ed the hidden mysteries of that all potent and wonder- 
 ful agent, electricity, and to-day two sister continents 
 step to the rocky beach aud join hands over the crys- 
 tal depths of the blue Atlantic ; bridging the great 
 gulf that once separated a mother from her child. 
 
 It was in the long ago that the " Pinta," turned her 
 head Westward, spreading her white wings to an 
 untried breeze. To-day the Great Eastern proudly 
 rides the towering billows, curling her black rings 
 
to STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 heavenward ; writing- the deathless name of Robert: 
 Fulton. .Thus was solved the problem of* steam, but 
 the great problem which should demand the attention 
 of every individual, than which none other carries 
 with it more of importace in its solution, is the simple 
 query : "How can I make life a success?" It has 
 been discussed by moralists of every age, all of whom 
 claim to have arrived at a correct solution, they have 
 enunciated its results so often, and with clearness, that 
 we would think that there could be no failures, but 
 the shores of fortune are lined with shipwrecked 
 humanity, who have foundered upon the rocks of 
 misapprehension. 
 
 This problem to a large extent must be solved by 
 each individual for himself, and in order for him to 
 arrive at a correct solution he must be careful not to 
 reason from false premises. 
 
 Man, starting in life has been compared to a vessel 
 of war leaving port under sealed orders. In his voyage 
 only the ways of providence disclose Whim to what 
 parts he must go, or on what seas he must sail. 
 
 He knows not of the dangers that beset his course,, 
 of the sunken reefs, iceburg or stormy cape which 
 may be his ruin. He must steer his unknown course 
 through perilous storms and treacherous calms, with- 
 out a chart or compass for his guidance, arching his 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 79 
 
 sails to this untried breeze like, Coleridge's mariner, 
 ''He is the first that ever burst into that lone]} 7 sea." 
 When starting out upon this great voyage we are 
 liable to delude ourselves with the mistaken idea of 
 what life really is. When we gaze around at the 
 pleasurable scenes of this world ; when we find our- 
 selves surrounded by everything that would tend to 
 add to our comfort, posessed of health and happy 
 homes, we are lead to exclaim, — O how pleasant it is 
 to live ! Hor\- our whole>beings thrill with delight as 
 we contemplate the ra igui licence of our suiToundings. 
 We acquiesce in the thought that every thing is 
 complete, that the world was made for our special use 
 and there remains nothing for us but to enjoy a life of 
 ease and comfort, in short we regard life as, 
 
 "A summers day mid sweets and blooms to 
 Dream ourselves away." 
 
 Be not deceived life is not a dream. It is a real 
 conflict, and he, who would bear off the palm of vic- 
 tory must enter the field equiped for a fierce affray, 
 realizing that there is no such thing as retreat but 
 like the three hundred at Thermopylae, he must con- 
 quer or fall. The man who has refused to enter this 
 conflict, but passed through life without bearing his 
 proportion of its burdens, has not lived ; he has sim- 
 ply spungedhis existence 
 
80 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 So the individual who is about to start on this long 
 journey, the first important requirement is that he se- 
 lect for himself some particular avocation. How sad 
 it is to see young men, with unusual talents spendin g 
 the best years of their lives, without any definite ob- 
 ject in view. Man must have an aim. The marks- 
 man who does not aim at the object will never hit it. 
 The rocket when projected horizontally is lost in its 
 brilliant effect ; but when pointed upward, it speeds 
 aloft, increasing in its glowing splendor at every in- 
 stant, ascending higher and higher ; as if to pierce the 
 Heavens in its flight and link itself with the remote 
 and passionless stars, there rests for a moment and 
 bursts with a halo of glory. What a wonderful illus- 
 tration of human life. The effect which this article 
 produces as a brilliant display, depends entirely upon 
 its aim. So with us, if we ever expect to make a 
 brilliant display in life, we must aim at the top : 
 
 " He aims too low who aims beneath the stars." 
 
 Another important requisite essential to success in 
 life is self-reliance. It is said that the lobster when 
 washed high and dry upon the rocks will lie there and 
 die waiting for the sea to come and carry it back. 
 So there are many human lobsters who will wait un- 
 til they have grown hoary with age expecting some 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 81 
 
 tidal wave to bear them upon its undulating bosom 
 far out into the sea of successful life. 
 
 "We might as well try to dip the ocean from its bed 
 and hurl it into space, as to attempt to pass through 
 life clinging like an ivy vine to others. 
 
 The Creator has endowed us with all these facul- 
 ties necessary to that degree of success, which he in- 
 tended for us, and if we use them to the best of our 
 ability we are bound to succeed. 
 
 Some irresolute man will say that there is no field 
 for the successful aspirant of to-day ; that the great 
 battle of life is crowded with commissioned officers,. 
 who are stopping the avenues of promotion. To-night 
 the world will retire after a busy day of strife and toiL 
 Even now one half of the globe lies wrapped in* 
 peaceful slumber, who knows but that ere the golden* 
 orb ushers in the dawn of another day, the bugle, of 
 the Arch-angel will sound the resurection call, aum- 
 moning millions of pagan souls into the presence of 
 their God. Xo field ! In what grander and nobler 
 work can man enlist, than in the salvation of human 
 souls. 
 
 To one half the world the story of Christ is un- 
 known. Every con verted soul adds another star to* 
 our immortal crown ; and when he, who has consecra- 
 ted his energies to the accomplishing of this priestly 
 
82 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 mission, has completed his earthly pilgrimage, he dies 
 amidst the acclamations of ten thousand angels, dies 
 
 1st the drums and trumpets of Satan's host, dies 
 amidst peal upon peal, volley upon volley from the 
 saluting clarions of Heaven's assembled hosts. 
 
 We hear persons remark, Oh ! if I only hadtheabil- 
 
 f this, or that individual, if I had his attainments, 
 his learning I might make a success of life. They 
 seem to forget that the very thing they desire might 
 have been attained by them, with half the effort it 
 cost him. They imagine that the} ought to secure 
 without an effort, that which others attain only by the 
 most persistent labor. Some even give up in despair, 
 because they have not' the wealth to carry them 
 through ; but will wealth secure success? Xo, "La- 
 bor is the price of excellence." 
 
 Go with me into the field of literature. Who 
 they that have plucked bright honor from the pale 
 faced moon? ' ; Were they the sons of noble scions?" 
 N tl ey were the children of humble parentage, who 
 were rocked in the cradle of poverty, the gentlemen 
 of nature, who have trodden under foot the painted 
 lizards of society. 
 
 In whatever calling we may embark we must 
 bear in mind, that to succeed means to labor. No man 
 has eve eded in any other way. Do we com- 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 83 
 
 plain that we have not the ability to succeed? The 
 giant oak, that forest king, once nestled in a single 
 acorn. A camel driver founded a new religion and 
 revolutionized the whole world. Copernicus, the ba- 
 kers son, caught in his inspiration the flight of plan- 
 ets round the sun. Caxton an obscure merchant by 
 the introduction of the printing press into England 
 revolutionized the whole intellectual aspect of society. 
 History is full of such examples, showing that great 
 achievements may be made by those who are appa- 
 rently dwarfs. 
 
 Do we wait for opportunities, they everywhere 
 present themselves. Grand and wonderful are the 
 possibilities of this Nineteenth century ; mighty and 
 marvelous are the consequences to be achieved. Piti- 
 able is he, who accomplishes nothing, living in 
 age and in this grand common-wealth. No encomi- 
 ums need be passed upon this nation. Here she 
 stands, extending to generations yet unborn, the invi- 
 tation to partake of inexhatistable resources, reaching 
 from the surges of the Atlantic to the waves of the 
 Pacific ; from the lakes of the North, to the Southern 
 gulf. 
 
 Now is our opportunity. Here is the horse saddled 
 and bridled, mount him as he passes and yours is a 
 triumphant ride to success, let him pass and the clat- 
 
84 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 tering of his hoofs, as he gallops along down the cor- 
 ridors of time, will forever sound the death-knell of 
 your departed hopes. 
 
 What a brilliant prospect awaits us in the future. 
 Look at the youth of this age ! Did you never dream 
 of the mighty struggles that are in store for them, 
 — the hard battles that are to be won, --the grand 
 conquests in the field of statesmanship, the unfading 
 wreaths in the realm of literature, and the eternal 
 coronets that He, who sees the sparrow fall, clasps 
 about their brows? Why, the world is at the young 
 man's feet and untold wonders lie slumbering in 
 his mighty arm. A man sets his mark at whatever 
 height he desires, lofty or groveling as he may see fit, 
 and the man who can consecrate himself to a life 
 of pure, noble, lofty and honorable purposing and 
 who supports his ambition with perseverence and 
 courage ; will succeed as sure as the sun ascends 
 the eastern sky. 
 
 It was the same Hannibal, who swore his eternal 
 hatred to Rome, who commanded the army that cross- 
 ed the Alps and shook the power of the capital of 
 the Ca?sars. 
 
 It was Xapoleon, the examplar of French patriot- 
 ism, who ascended the throne of a powerful monarchy, 
 not by any accident of birth but by his manhood and 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 85 
 
 dauntless ambition becoming " Emperor with his foot 
 on the throat of prostrate Europe." 
 
 It was Alexander, the world conquerer, who only 
 stopped in his dazzling flight, when the blue waters of 
 the Indian ocean checked his advancing feet. Success 
 awaits us, and is surely ours, if we but put forth the 
 proper effort. Let us, then be alive, patient, energetic, 
 watchful and hopeful. Then if we fail, it will be with 
 the consciousness of having done our best, which is 
 after all the truest success to which man can aspire. 
 
WOMAN 
 
 BY H. B. HILGEMAN. 
 
 • r ]MIE poets tell us that one morning in the dim star- 
 1 light of the distant past, the pleasant groves of 
 Mount Olympus witnessed a dispute between Minerva, 
 wisdom's goddess, and Neptune builder of the walls of 
 Troy. Each wished to give the name to the Acropolis. 
 High were the words and angry were the looks of hoth 
 until at length the deities assembled, decreed the pre- 
 ference to whichsoever of the two should give the 
 mt of most value to the inhabitants of earth. At 
 this, the god of all the seas smote the firm earth with 
 
 charmed trident and forth there sprang the horse, 
 Emblem of war and strength and slaughter. Jove's 
 
 ghter smiled, and opening her lips pronounced the 
 magic words, at whose sweet sound the olive, token of 
 peace, prosperity, success and happiness bloomed in- 
 to blushing life. With one accord the deities pro- 
 nounced the victory hers. She named the place 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 87 
 
 AthenaB, and becoming t lie tutelary goddess of the 
 city there sprung up, fostered its youth and guided its 
 manhood, till Athens rose to be the wonder of the 
 ancient world. The lesson taught us in this chaiming 
 legend should be engraven upon the heart of every 
 man. 
 
 How beautifully it sets forth the influences for 
 good which woman's presence and actions have usually 
 exerted. These influences be it now our task to trace. 
 Let us place ourselves under the guidance of the geni- 
 us of truth, and wander with him down the path of 
 history listening to the narrative he tells of woman's 
 works. Closing our eyes upon the present, as the; 
 shut out from the future, let us transport ourselves in 
 thought, hack to the time when our first parents occu- 
 pied that wondrous spot where all the charm 
 mture vied with each other to delight the sense and 
 please the eye ; and where within the sweet retire- 
 ment of ambrosia] bowers, they held direct communion 
 with their God. Their exit from this garden of de- 
 light, marked the first enterance of suffering in the 
 world, and who is there will say that woman has re- 
 fused to bear her part V 
 
 The spheres of action of the two sexes are widely 
 different in appearance, yet, there exists between them 
 a mutual dependence. It is woman's work to prepare 
 
88 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 the young for the active contests of life, and after 
 these have begun to cheer and sustain the faltering 
 battlers in the strife. Man, treading in the path thus 
 shadowed out for him, achieves whatever of success 
 may crown his efforts. This was the truth that flash- 
 ed upon the poets mind and prompted him to tell the 
 beautiful story, how Pallas in the guise of an aged 
 man led the weak footsteps of the young Telemachus 
 in those paths of truth and virtue where, were sown 
 the seeds of wisdom that in after years developed into 
 an almost perfect character. The individual in this 
 •case may be taken as typical of the whole. Each 
 mother is a Pallas, each son a Telemachus. 
 
 In proportion as worn m is educated, elevated 
 xefined and free, does she exert an elevating, refining 
 and enlarging influence upon those around her. The 
 condition of woman is the true criterion of the civil- 
 ization of any age or any country. It is this, which 
 •distinguishes savage from civilized nations. It is this, 
 which distinguishes the east from the west. It is this, 
 which contrasts Antiquity and the Middle Ages ; the 
 Middle Ages and Modern times. The emancipation 
 of woman from the bondage imposed by paganism 
 lends to Christianity the brightest jewel in its glori- 
 ous crown. And this it is, which will serve to make 
 the power of the Christian religion "as durable as 
 time, and as abundant as the waves of the sea." 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 89 
 
 Turn we now to the various ileitis, of thought and 
 action, to which the world's attention has been paid and 
 let us examine the names that have left a lasting im- 
 pression on their records. Whether we look upon 
 fields when blossomed poetry and the line arts in all 
 their gorgeous beauty and perfection ; whether we 
 .gaze upon the plains where contests decisive of the 
 weal or woe of nations have taken place ; or whether 
 we enter at the gates that lead 10 the .secret meeting 
 •place of cabals and councils ; wherever we earn, the 
 history of some powerful woman attracts no small 
 share of attentive consideration. Hypatia, Sappho, 
 Elizebeth, Catharine II., D'Stael and Hemans, form a 
 constellation whose brilliance is not dimmed by con- 
 trast with any in the firmament of immortality. If 
 thus the past produced names such as these, what 
 may we not expect of the present and the future to 
 bring forth? Liberal education, a just appreciation 
 of her natural talents, an eqnal station in society and 
 •a welcome to all the avenues of wealth and industry ; 
 all these the present offers and she gladly accepts. 
 The past desired them, and the influence which this 
 simple, tardy justice to the so-called "weaker sex" 
 has already exercised, is plainly to be seen in the 
 school room, at the desk, in the religion, the literature, 
 the manners, morals and history of to-day. 
 
90 STEPHENS MEDAL 
 
 We read, in the annals of the Dark Ages that in- 
 tellectual and moral right, of a monastary called La 
 Trappe, where deadly crimes were expatiated. " When 
 sinners entered it, they made a terrible vow of ever- 
 lasting silence, and from that awful moment never 
 uttered a word, but daily with their nails dug their 
 own graves. When the midnight bell tolled them to 
 prayer, they left their solitary cells and moved with 
 noiseless step and downcast look, through gloomy 
 cloisters and whispering aisles, turning their rosaries 
 but never spoke." Such is the penitence, such the 
 everlasting silence, to which should be condemned, the 
 man whose narrow soul and vicious heart disparage 
 or neglect the honorable, almost heavenly influence 
 ring woman has exerted, and exerts to bring man- 
 kind to that perfection which an All- wise God intended 
 hould reach. 
 
 Then let us, who live in the full blaze of this most 
 enlightened age in the experience of this world, rem 
 lue homage at the shrine of woman, offering there 
 the holy incense of our grateful thanks for her good 
 deeds, which centuries of ignorance and prejudice 
 denied. Should this be clone, but a few years would 
 pass, till woman's talents and exertions, which hitherto 
 have seemed like flowers that bloom and breathe their 
 "fragrance only in the shade ; would, by the kindly sun- 
 
PRIZE ORATIONS. 91 
 
 light of appreciation, grow to a hardy plant whose 
 blossoms would shed a richer perfume upon life, and 
 whose fruits would be a greater blessing and a greater 
 joy to all. 
 
GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 
 
GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 
 
 BY GEORGE H. COFFMAN. 
 
 The world has paid her homage to the great, 
 Her warriors, poets, and her men of state, 
 And oft' times shielded from distress and gloom, 
 The hurried tread of genius to the ton 
 
 Yet in the ranks of that funeral train, 
 Which bears the nations on to death's dark m 
 A form, bowed down by ill contending strife, 
 Once passed accross earth's shifting stage of life, 
 Whom fortune oft' denied her shining crowns, 
 Whose noble deeds, rewarded but with frowns ; 
 
 On whom no kingly favors deigned to smile : 
 Whom penury tracked e'en to his funeral ; 
 Thus Goldsmith trod life's dreary, desert plain, 
 Where hopes and joys lie mercilessly slain, 
 Where dread adversity, that cursed simoon. 
 Heaps earthly pleasures in a common tomb. 
 
96 GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 
 
 Ts this that bright, transparent, genial soul, 
 Which, like some mountian lake, reveals the whole 
 Of its clear depths, from which, there glittering shines,. 
 Half-hidden gems betraying richest mines? 
 
 Did Goldsmith live in that ungrateful age 
 
 Which ill rewarded poet, priest and sage ; 
 
 Which smothered genius with its dark plumed wings,. 
 
 And showered its honors on but lords and kings? 
 
 Could he have climbed, thus from his low estate, 
 Up rugged heights to mingle with the great, 
 When griefs and debts assailed him on his track ; 
 When fame and wealth conspired to beat him back r 
 
 "Twas genius bore him on 'gainst adverse fate, 
 With heart dejected but with hopes elate, 
 And kept untarnished when alive, his name ; 
 When dead emblazoned on the rolls of fame, 
 His grave neglected, now is sought in vain, 
 Where, undisturbed for years his bones have lain.. 
 
 Xo marble shaft now stands above his head ; 
 Can England thus neglect her noble dead? 
 Yet, he who oft' had caused the world to laugh,. 
 Had carved upon its heart his epitaph. 
 
GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 97 
 
 His mortal visage long may be forgot, 
 And coming ages seek his burial spot, 
 But in each heart his name will be enshrined 
 As long as virtue charms the human mind. 
 
 A recent critic has expressed surprise, 
 As, oft' in critics' minds such questions rise. 
 That Goldsmith, who had trod life's miry ways, 
 And mingled with the base through most his days, 
 Had kept, unsullied from more vulgar hues. 
 The simple robe which graced his modest muse. 
 
 His writings gleam with thoughts so chaste and free 
 From all the taints of coarse obecenity, 
 That one would think him reared in spheres remied, 
 That vulgar thoughts ne'er stained his jeweled mind. 
 
 But here humanity suggests a hint, 
 That different casts are made at nature's mint. 
 His nature, moulded on a different plan, 
 Hid not imbibe the vices of his clan. 
 
 lie studies good and bad. the young and old, 
 And from the baser ores he smelts the gold. 
 And in these lower scenes of life, though course, 
 His sparkling stream of humor takes its source. 
 
98 GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 
 
 His characters are low but not unchaste ; 
 His humor least offends the cultured taste, 
 Though in high life there's many a courteous fool, 
 'Tis not a fertile field for ridicule. 
 
 He thus drags human nature from such scenes. 
 And lowers her to humors true domains. 
 And dresses her with garbs of absurd styles ; 
 Makes her distort her face with clownish smiles. 
 
 Engages in her silly, blundering acts, 
 And makes her jest unwittingly with facts. 
 Thus Goldsmith paints absurdities of life. 
 Which oft' he met in poverty's mad strife. 
 
 Men laugh at humors odd similitudes, 
 Because they spring from vulgar traits or mc 
 They thus compare these absurd characters, 
 Which humor makes ridiculous with theirs. 
 And triumph in the contrast which they rind 
 Between themselves and those of baser in 
 
 But when an author seeks, in men's defects, 
 The subjects of his humor, and affects 
 To smile at natural faults, or griefs, or w 
 He makes at once the entire world his foes. 
 
GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 99 
 
 Dean Swift, who scoffed at men's deformities, 
 Received the curse which wounded pride decrees. 
 Proud human nature is a spiteful maid, 
 Whose sanctity intruders oft' invade 
 And, share the lashes of the angered dame, 
 If they expose her secret faults to shame. 
 
 Poor Goldsmith, who, life's miseries had shared, 
 By his associations was prepared 
 To speak to troubled hearts in gentle tones, 
 And win a laugh from lips which muttered groai 
 
 And though lie drinks with pain life's bitterest cup ; 
 Though in his troubled bosom welling up 
 Like surging billows on the stormy deep, 
 Dread, hunger, anguish and dismay ne'er sle: 
 
 Yet when he seeks some lonely, damp retreat, 
 Reviews thes^ scenes of coffee-house or stre> 
 He weaves them in, while in his muse's tram 
 To dress some comedy or quaint romai 
 
 His harp in hand ; his heart upon his lips. 
 His soul's rich music from his fancy trips, 
 With humor tinged, with sparkling genius pearh 
 He tells his tale of woe to amuse the world. 
 
100 GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 
 
 As through the sombre clouds ;i struggling ray 
 
 Of sunshine bursts upon a rainy day, 
 
 His humor flashes from his gloomiest hours, 
 
 And though he treads on thorns, he strews but flowers. 
 
 Xot like those dark, strange volumes of Dean Swift, 
 Across whose life such deep-dyed shadows shift ; 
 AVhose bitter humor burns through each keen jest 
 Like branding irons on some victims breast. 
 
 The works of Goldsmith have a sweeter charm ; 
 His joyous humor bodes no mortal harm ; 
 He makes by choosing a m rous rule, 
 
 Himself the butt of his own ridicule. 
 
 He to his pen, his comic muse, invokes, 
 And, like a scidj turc. piles his masterstrokes 
 Until he carves in form somewhat uncouth 
 A comedy, a burlesque of "his youth. 
 
 M She Stoops to Conquer " claims no worthier cause 
 For its rich harvest of the world's applause 
 Than, that it re-enacts, with humor rife, 
 A well know scene in Goldsmith's early life. 
 
 Young Marlow here parades across the stage 
 
 The apparition of his youthful age. 
 
 He copied human nature in this plot 
 
 And scorned those counterfits of wit or thought. 
 
GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 101 
 
 The sentimental dramas, then extant, 
 Which made their heroes cry and storm and rant. 
 To raise a hearty laugh was his chief aim, 
 And his. success is measured by his fame. 
 
 Though Tony Lumkin's odd amusing tricks 
 And comic speeches, /with sound wisdom mix. 
 His pr greet< d on the stage 
 
 lighter for an age. 
 
 To feel the thrill that stirs a poet's soul ; 
 Tog] that gild his written scroll; 
 
 To sound those depths beneath his magic art, 
 Explore the sanctuary of his heart. 
 
 What is it, thus in Goldsmith's simple style 
 That forces us with unrestraint to smile V 
 What caused him so to hate his venal muse, 
 And though grim want assailed him to refuse 
 The liberal pay as politicians' hack, 
 And turn on mercenary jobs his back ? 
 
 It was his loving philanthropic heart ! 
 Which every wail of sorrow caused to start, 
 That urg onward to a nobler aim ; 
 
 That gave to him a proud immortal name; 
 That to the world bequeathed a legacy, 
 Which all inherit, — both the bond and free. 
 
102 GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 
 
 He sought to lure, with humors gentle strain, 
 
 His fellow creatures to a higher plane, 
 
 To break the shackles that enchained the poor ; 
 
 To station charity at hungers door ; 
 
 To brand those follies as a public curse 
 
 Which snatch the shillings from the poor man's-purse. 
 
 No logic backed by syllogistic lore, 
 Could teach such lessons to the rich or poor, 
 As that sly humor sparkling from each page 
 Of Wakefield's story, teaches every age. 
 As in a crystal pool one sees his form 
 And notes some defect or peculiar charm, 
 When once before its silver depths he halts ; 
 So in this story one may view his faults, 
 And see himself as he's by others seen ; 
 Deformed and rough, — his morals low and mean. 
 
 These hideous faults, exposed to ridicule, 
 
 Seem worthy only of a knave or fool ; 
 
 Yet oft' they coil within a wiser breast, 
 
 Like hissing serpents in some songster's nest. 
 
 But others see within the pool's clear depths, 
 
 As each before its sparkling surface steps, 
 
 A brighter picture, graced with virtue's charms. 
 
 Around the Vicar's hearth, familiar forms 
 
 Are seen to move and heard to laugh and talk, 
 
 Whose simple merriment wealth's pleasures mock. 
 
GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 103 
 
 Here poverty assumes a smiling face, 
 And filial love holds joy in fond embrace. 
 What a luxuriant store of gracious thought 
 Fair fancy here to ignorance has brought ! 
 
 How many cheerless homes have been made bright ; 
 
 How many burdened hearts have beat more light, 
 
 How many dreary hours are rendered gay, 
 
 How many persons laugh their griefs away, 
 
 The young as well as those whose locks are hoary, 
 
 While reading this delightful, charming story. 
 
 Who has not laughed at Moses at the fair, 
 The luckless prey of that base sharper's snare, 
 From whom, well practiced in such worldly whims, 
 He buys his spectacles with silvered rims? 
 
 Or who is not amused at the odd taste 
 Which, in that family picture, was embraced 
 And which, when 'twas completed, was so tall 
 That it was doomed to grace the Kitchen wall? 
 
 This simple story, like a gospel song. 
 Applauding right and disapproving wrong, 
 Oft' finds an echo in the hearts of men 
 Whose base licentious lives, perhaps, have been 
 Deemed proof against dull reason's puny might — 
 Defiant enemies of law and right. 
 
104 GOLDSMITH AS A HUMORIST. 
 
 But courted with bright smiles, allured by forms 
 'Whose loveliness their morbid fancy charms, 
 They feel the tender pathos, of this tale, 
 Jiurst o'er their senses like a summer gale 
 Upon the bosom of some sluggish lake ; 
 And thus their sleeping consciences awake, 
 While they, pursuing pleasure thus disguised 
 Are into reformation oft' surprised. 
 
 Sterne wrote but for the world's hard earned applause,. 
 And, with impatient hand his picture draws, 
 Infusing absurd colors through the whole, 
 And dressing with odd garbs, creation's droll. 
 
 Then, from behind his canvas, thrusts.his face, 
 Distorted with a laugh or forced grimace, 
 As if to coax some slow unwilling smiles 
 To mount the lips of those who trust his wiles. 
 
 If this does not elicit the reward, 
 
 Which all mankind to humorists accord, 
 
 He takes his brush and with his obscene strokes, 
 
 Dismantles vice, indecency uncloaks, 
 
 Thus in his writings often low and mean, 
 
 An impure presence, undisguised is seen. 
 
GOLDSMITH AS A HTJMOKIST. 105 
 
 'But Goldsmith scorned these paltry, vicious means 
 
 Of winning favor with such vulgai seen 
 
 His humor is not forced, nor dyed wil 
 
 '.Nought but his fertile genius could \ 
 
 To win a nation's homage and renown ; 
 
 To place upon his head an ivycri 
 
 He strikes sad hearts with his enchanting wand 
 And, like those fountains, fed by spriri >nd, 
 
 Which long before were sealed b> wth, 
 
 They overflow with streams of joyous mirth. 
 
 Though griefs oft' cast dark si tnd 
 
 His great heart bled for wretched human kind ; 
 And, though his dearest hopes were oft' entombed, 
 His friendly gentle- nature always bloomed 
 Amid the chilling blasts of life's bleak storn . 
 Like some lone, trampled flower 'mid less frail forms. 
 
 In his Deserted Village, he portr 
 
 His father's image in his past 
 
 But in this picture- which his genius paints 
 
 His own soul mingles with its kindred saints. 
 
 " Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride. 
 And e'en his failings leaned to Virtue's side 
 But in his duty prompt at every call, 
 He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all ; 
 And, as a bird each fond endearment tries 
 To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies, 
 He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, 
 Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 SQCHEP0IT, MISSQUSL 
 
 WILLIAM A. LEXTZ. 
 
 However doubtful the propriety of publishing a 
 biographical sketch of those who have not paid the 
 debt of nature, the custom is fixed and has the sanc- 
 tion of the most learned and honorable men. Our sub- 
 ject is a native of Boone county Missouri, and was born 
 at Booneton March 30, 1848. When seven years of age 
 he was sent to Lanthrop academy, presided over at 
 that time by Xewton Searcy. We next find him at 
 Walnut Grove academy pursuing bis studies under 
 such able instructors as O. Pirikey, L. B. Hoy, J. F. 
 Martin and G. W. Leatron. His father early appreci- 
 ating the advantages of a liberal education, placed 
 him in L^nion academy at York Pennsylvania, where 
 he remained one year. After leaving this institution 
 he received private instruction from Rev. John Mer- 
 ril. In September 1865, he entered the Sophomore 
 
108 BIOGRAPHICAL 
 
 class of the University. He graduated in 1868, with 
 the degree of A. I>, II is oratorical abilty won for him 
 the first Stephens Medal ever given. Soon after 
 /graduating he commenced thestudy of law hut. failing 
 health compelled him to ivlenquisli the pursuit of 
 legal lore. ITe is now the wealthiest man to whom the 
 this medal has been awarded. In October 18H0, he was 
 married, by Rev. B. V. George, to Miss Margaret S; 
 Hickman a brilliant and accomplished lady, of Bour- 
 bon county Kentucky. Mr. Lentz takes an active 
 interest in educational matters. In 1871 he applied for 
 and received his Master degree. Mr. Lentz now gives 
 his entire attention to agriculture and the rearing of 
 -blooded stock. 
 
 BENTLEY H. RUNYAN, * 
 
 Was born, January 17, 1847, in Jackson county Missou* 
 ri. His rudimentary education was obtained in the 
 common schools. During the year 18^3 in consequence 
 of General Ewing's famous order No. It, he removed 
 with his parents to Columbia Missouri. Soon after- 
 wards he entered the State University of Columbia 
 graduating, from the Academical Department, with 
 honor, in 1889. He was peculiarly gifted as a speaker, 
 possessing a richly modulated voice, and a commanding 
 form. Tie was a man of great energy and ambition. 
 * Deceased. 
 
SKETCHES. 109 
 
 It is safe to predict, that had Providence permitted 
 him to live, lie would have risen to prominence, and 
 become a learned ami influential member of society. 
 In 1870 he entered the Law Department of the State 
 University, where he soon became noted as a brilliant 
 student, his conception of law being remarkably clear 
 and concise, lie made it a point, never to pass a sub- 
 ject until he had carefully sludiedits relation to law as 
 a science. While attending this institution he took a 
 very active part in establishing, the Missouri Alpha 
 chapter of the Phi Kappa J's/ fraternity, in Colum- 
 bia. In 1ST1 he whs admitted to the bar, but still 
 continued to give his attention entirely to his studies. 
 Yet, when a glorious future spread her tinted skies 
 before him. and the temple of fame stood out against 
 an azure sky, his spirit took its flight and joined the 
 angelic throng above. 
 
 " So vanishes our state, so pass our days ; 
 So life but opens now. and now decays ; 
 The cradle and the tomb, alas ! so nigh, 
 To live is scarce distinguish'd from to die." 
 
 RICHAKD W. GENTRY, * 
 
 Was born, at the well known St. Cloud farm, near Seda- 
 ]ia Missouri. His primary education was obtained at 
 Georgetown. He also attended school at Lexington 
 * Decease'!. 
 
110 BIOGRAPHICAL 
 
 Kentucky for one year. His literary education was 
 completed at the University of Missouri, where he 
 graduated in 1879, with the degree of A. B. While a 
 student he became noted for proficiency in the vari- 
 ous departments. Before leaving college halls to bat- 
 tle with the world-, he obeyed the promptings of his 
 heart, professed religion and united with the Christian 
 church. Upon the completion of his collegiate course 
 he returnd to his farm near Sedalia Missouri, where he 
 remained until April 1881. In the autumn of 1880 he 
 was appointed a member of the State Board of Agri- 
 culture, by the governor. While a member of the 
 board he held the office of secretary. He took a great 
 interest in agriculture as a science, and labored earn- 
 estly to introduce, new and improved methods, among 
 the farmers of his native state. In 1SS1 he received a 
 call to the pastorate of the Christian church at Colum- 
 bia. His services being universally appreciate, 
 the close of the year he received a call for 
 period. Other duties requiring his attentk lun- 
 
 tarily resigned his- charge and retired to his quiet 
 rural home. In 1877 he was married to Miss M. Tussey, 
 a most estimable ladv, a native of Pettis county, Mis- 1 
 souri. Mr. Gentry was an earnest christian, and prac- 
 ticed what he preached, in the daily walks of life. 
 But as he approached the zenith of a grand career it 
 
SKETCHES. Ill 
 
 pleased the great Omnipotent to place him with that 
 chosen few, who allure to brighter worlds and lead 
 the way. In his death, — 
 
 " A bright light was eclipsed, 
 A noble heart was stilled."' 
 
 JOELS' E. JOHXSTOJS", * 
 
 "Was born June 4,1845, at Antrim, Guernsey county 
 Ohio. His early education was obtained in the com- 
 mon schools. When but seventeen years of age he 
 left a happy home, at the wild call of the bugle, to 
 brave the dread terrors of the battle field. He remain- 
 ed constantly with his regiment, the 122nd Ohio, until 
 the battle of Cold Harbor Virginia, where he was dan- 
 gerously wounded June 3, 1864. After remaining in 
 the hospital for nearly one year he was honorably dis- 
 charged. He then formed the resolution of obtaining an 
 education, and with this object in view he commenced 
 .to attend school, supporting himself, by teaching 
 •during vacation. In the fall of 1869 his parents 
 removed to Missouri locating at Kingsville. Young- 
 Johnston accompanying them to their Western home. 
 In 1870 he entered the Junior Clas3 of the State Uni- 
 versity. While attending this institution he wai 
 earnest, faithful student, being often commended, by 
 the various professors, for his proficiency in the dift'er- 
 * Deceased. 
 
112 BIOGRAPHICAL 
 
 ent departments. lie graduated from the Academ- 
 ical Department in 1872. But ere he had commenced 
 life's battle, it pleased the great Creator to call him 
 to a brighter home beyond the skies. Of him it may 
 well be said, 
 " Brief, brave and glorious was his young career.." 
 
 MARSHALL, MISSOURI. 
 
 GEORGE F. DAVIS, 
 
 Editor of the Saline county Progress, was born Janu- 
 ary 20, 1818 at Lexington Missouri. His father, Wil- 
 liam T. Davis, is a prominent educator, and until a few 
 years ago, presided over the Masonic college of Lex- 
 on Missouri. When nine years of age he entered 
 the public school of his native town. He next atten- 
 ded a high school at Glasgow. He remained here un- 
 til the beginning of t lie great Civil strife. Soon after 
 this mighty contest ended he entered the State Uni- 
 versity of Columbia, graduating from, the English and 
 Latin Departments in 1869. In 1872 he re-entered the 
 institution and, completing the course in Greek, took: 
 the degree of A. 13. Since graduating at Columbia he 
 has pursued a thorough course in law at Washington 
 University, St. Louis. Disliking the practice of law 
 lie devoted himself to teaching for a considerable time. 
 
SKETCHES. 113 
 
 He is unmarried. Mr. Davis assumed editorial con- 
 trol of the Progress in 1880. It is now one of the 
 most ably conducted papers in Marshall. 
 
 QURAY, COLORADO, 
 
 JERROLD R. LETCHER, 
 
 Attorney at law, was born at Marshall Saline county 
 Missouri, June 23, 1851. In 1861 he removed with his 
 parents to California, After spending eight years in 
 the golden west, they returned to S«. Louis Missouri. 
 He pursued his studies in the high school and was 
 chosen, by his classmates, as their Valedictorian. He 
 soon afterwards entered the Academical Department 
 of the University of Missouri. As a student he made 
 quite a reputation. While a student, he was an active 
 member of the Union Literary society and he was 
 also a zealous worker in the Phi Kappa Psi fratern- 
 ity. He graduated from the University in Jane, 1873. 
 During a considerable time he was Editor in Chief of 
 the University Missourian, an excellent periodical 
 published by the literary societies, f While a member 
 of the Senior Class he received honorable mention, as 
 having sustained the best written examination in 
 "International and Constitutional law." In 1874 he 
 
 t Since discontinued on account of restrictions imposed by the 
 University Faculty. 
 
114 BIOGRAPHICAL 
 
 entered the Law Department and on graduating there- 
 from was admitted to the bar. lie then formed a law 
 partnership with his father and commenced practicing 
 law in his native town. Here by active labor he soon 
 built up a large and lucrative practice. Since leaving 
 his Alma Mattr, he has ever manifested the deepest 
 interest in the cause of education. In. the fall of 1878 
 he removed to Colorado and while traveling over the 
 state, contributed, to the Saline county Progress, a 
 series of articles discriptive of the Southern and Wes- 
 tern parts. In 1876 he located at Ouray where he 
 has since continued to reside. He was married in the 
 spring of 1880 to Miss Kate Ilawpe. of Marshall, Mis- 
 souri, a woman of rare qualities of mind and heart. 
 But the dark angel of death soon deprived him of his 
 beloved companion. He was nominated, in the fall of 
 1882, for the State legislature as the standard bearer of 
 the Democratic patry and after a sharp contest was 
 elected. Upon his return to Ouray, he was tendered 
 a grand ovation, by the citizens in appreciation of the 
 services he had rendered his section, and the State 
 generally in its legislative halls. 
 
 KANSAS CITY. 
 
 FRED W, KUMPF, 
 
 Attorney at law, is a native of Missouri and was born 
 in St. Louis August 9, 1860. When he was but five 
 
SKETCHES. 115 
 
 years of age his parents removed to Kansas City. 
 His primary education was obtained in the public 
 school. In 1870 lie graduated from the High school. 
 Desirious of a more extended scholarship he entered, 
 the State University, in the fall of the same year. He 
 was a bright student, a fluent speaker and a genial 
 gentleman, who made hosts of friends. He gradu- 
 ated with the class of '78. A few months after grad- 
 uating he sailed for Europe, and spent a number of 
 months, as a student, at the celebrated German Uni- 
 versity of Heidelburg. He then traveled quite exten- 
 sively in Germany, Italy and France, visiting the 
 chief places of historical interest. Mr. K urn pi then 
 returned to Kansas city and at once begun the prac- 
 tice of law and now enjoys a lucrative and constantly 
 increasing practice. 
 
 WILLIAM S. COWHERD, 
 
 Attorney at law, is a native of Jackson county 
 Missouri, and was born near Kansas City September 
 1, 1860. His early education was obtained in the com- 
 mon schools. The earnest manner in which he applied 
 himself, foreshadowed a life of future usefulness. 
 His parents seeing the great advantages of a liberal 
 education placed him in the Missouri University of 
 Columbia. While a student he was remarkably dili- 
 
116 BIOGRAPHICAL 
 
 gent and received a very high scholarship He was an 
 eloquent speaker and a versatile writer. He graduated 
 in 1881. The next year he entered the Senior Class of 
 the Law Department graduating with the degree of 
 L. L. B. He soon commenced the practice of his 
 chosen profession. In 1883 he associated himself with 
 Mr J. Campbell also a graduate of the State Univer- 
 sity. They have already quite an extensive practice, 
 and enjoy the entire confidence of the publie, Mr. 
 Cowherd is a cordial gentleman and makes many 
 friends. 
 
 ST. LQUIi, 
 
 H. B. HILGEMAX, 
 
 Is a teacher of English and Elocution, at 2415 Xorth 
 twelfth Street. He is a native of St. Louis Missouri. 
 His parents, believing a liberal education to be the 
 best foundation that could be laid for a life of future 
 usefulness, early placed him under earnest and com- 
 petent instructors. After attending the common 
 schools of his native city, he entered the Missouri 
 State University, of Columbia, and graduated there- 
 from with high honors in 1880. He was awarded the 
 Stephens Medal, being adjudged the best orator of 
 the Senior Class. He is a man of rare ability, and 
 as a scholar, ranks high. He is also an earnest stu- 
 
SKETcnes. 117 
 
 •dent of general literature, and devotes much of his 
 time in preparing a work which he will no doubt 
 bring before the public in a short time. He has a keen 
 appreciation of the society of the fair sex, and never 
 wearies of that gallantry thereto which has marked 
 the career of the noblest men of the past. 
 
 PARIS, MISSOURI, 
 
 PAUL ALEXAXDEli, 
 
 Teacher, is a native of Monroe count}*, Missouri and 
 was born at Paris December, 14, 1861. His element- 
 ary education was obtained in the public school of his 
 native town. YVhen fifteen years of age lie entered 
 St. Paul's College at Palmyra Missouri. After com- 
 pleting the prescribed course, he entered the State 
 University of Columbia. He was a good student and 
 an excellent linguist. He graduated, in 1883, with the 
 degree of A. B. In the following September he was 
 elected to fill the Chair of Mathematics at Woodland 
 College, Independence Missouri. He filled this posi- 
 tion with marked ability. Mr. Alexander has just en- 
 tered upon a bright career, and his life's work must 
 .yet be written, far down the stream of time. 
 
118 BIOGRAPHICAL 
 
 WQQDLANS, CALIFORNIA. 
 
 ALBERT MORTIMER ELSTOX. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born at Columbia, 
 Boone county Missouri, January 5, 1861. He was left 
 an orphan at an early age. He then made his home 
 with his grand parents from whom he received an al- 
 most paternal care. He attended the primary schools 
 of his native town. In 1876 he accompained his 
 grand parents to Woodland California. While here 
 he accepted a clerkship, with a wholesale drug house 
 for one year. At the expiration of that time he at- 
 tended a high school with the intention of entering 
 college. In the course of a few months he returned 
 to Columbia Missouri and at the commencement of 
 the collegiate year matriculated, as a student, in the 
 Academical Department of the State University. He 
 graduated in 1883 with the degree of A. B. As a 
 student he displayed great ability, and sets sails upon 
 the stormy ocean of lite under the most favorable 
 auspices.