10
THE HESPERIAN
Ii
' i
THE LOCAL CONTEST.
The seventh annual local contest took
place Tuesday night, when the following
program was rendered:
Banjo Duct "Advent of Spring."
Messrs. lluesol Thorpe, Jr., and R. H. Manloy.
Oration "A Fow Principles of Progress."
II. P. Leavitt.
Oration "A Fiction or Law."
L. J. Abbott, Jr.
Piano Solo "Hunting Song," Mendelssohn
E. W. Tilson.
Oration "Aro Wo Just?"
E. McNcal.
Oration "The Now West."
Miss Flora Bullock.
Vocal Solo "When tho Heart is Young."
Dudloy Buck.
C. F. Tuckor.
Oration "America's Literary Genius."
E. B. Sherman.
Music Mandolin and Guitar Duot
A. C Chapman and Ed. Franklin, Jr.
Tho opening number by Messrs. Thorpo
and Manley was excellently rendered, and
well deserved tho encore it received.
Mr. Leavitt then delivered his oration
upon UA Fow Principles of Progress." He
had improved his delivery very much since
his last appearance before a University audi
ence; and the many changes in his manu
script made it seem like a now oration. lie
showed that man was two-fold in nature
physical and spiritual. For the benefit of
tho latter God gave a divine law, by study
of which man's spiritual side grows slowly
but surely. Man lives a life of dual respon
sibility; ho is the individual and tho social
man. As an individual ho determines his
own destiny, but does not live alone. He
still has duties to his follow men. God bade
man subdue tho world, and this he has done
by his social side. His free will controls
social life. All social elevation is by the
development of intellect. This is tho divine
law, and when man builds with disregard to
tho planning of the divine mind his structure
must fall. Equality is social justice and so
cioty is approaching this state. Progress
constantly decentralizes; tho government is
becoming tho vox jpopuli. Relations and
inter-relations constitute society. "Where
they are,' society is; heuco tho world isi ,
universal society. War is contrary to equal
ity. The wealth of tjio universo ,,is but a
grain of sand beside a single soul, Would ..
wo bo free, we must spread tho doctrino of
tho Divine equality to all men. v, ,
Mr. Leavitt's oration showed much careful , .
thought, his idoas were well brought out, indf
his train of thought connected and easy to ,
follow- '..;.f!,M
Mr. Abbott followod with his oration en- f
titled "A Fiction of Law." His subject , ,
and its treatment was plainly that of a
thoughtful populist. Tho only criticism to
be made was that his argument was carried
further than public opinion seemed to war
rant. Ho showed that all tho signs of tho
times ox)res8 dissatisfaction with tho existing ,
forms of government. Tho middle class has t
controlled our government for a contury, but
has allowed tho reins of power to pass into
the hands of private corporations, which wore
formerly an arm of tho government. 'Now '
these aro the tool of wealth, t follows thorn
'i
that our government is also a creature of
- y njtt'
money. Corporate wealth and influence has ,
triumphed over private right and legislation.
Lincoln said the war had enthroned corpor
ations; Tammany Hall, the sugar trust, and,
railroad corporations prove his prophecy has , ,
become too true. Something must bo done, ,
or all wealth will pass into tho hands of, a
few. Corporations aro even held guiltless
by law, but thousands die annually as a re-
suit of their criminal negligence.
Mr. Tilson's rendition of tho "Hunting
Song" was all that could be asked. Ho"
shows no small ability as a pianist, and cer
tainly has a bright future if he sees fit to
follow up his natural musical talent. , , .
"What Mr. Abbot said in his way upon
corporations, Mr. McNeal said in qiuite ,
another manner upon tho Pullman strike of
last summer. His was a masterly plea for- a
tho sympathetic striker and tho Pullman""
sufferers. Investigation has shown that the',
employees had no just complaint; they wil
fully otoppod traffic and wore condomne,(J. ,,, -But
listen to their side of tho question. Mr." '
