THE HESPERIAN.
Negative, As regards security our National system is avast
improvement over the old state and "wild-cat" banks. Our
paper money is convertible at sight and in no other country
arc the securities so great. The great degree of publicity re
quired is one of the best checks against irregular methods of
business. Our system secures a uniform monetary standard,
a.faclor of great importance in a commercial country. The
banks arc under the direct control of the government, but re
sponsible to the people, and thus a sentiment of nationality
promoted. Compared with state banks and systems in oper
ation in other countries, our system is not a monopoly. The
profit on circulation is emparativcly unimportant, and it is not
this that keeps a bank in the system but the credit and stabil
i ty secured. Even if it were necessary to maintain a nation
al debt, it were better to do so than to lose the benefits of our
national banking system. Let the surplus from taxation be
used for cducati'" and internal improvements. To give the
right of issue to government would be to make the currency a
party power, than which few things could be more detrimen
tal to the best interests of our country.
The vocal solo by Miss Lillibridgc was then announced.
Miss Lillibridgc reflects credit upon herself and her depart
ment here, in these appearances before the public.
'Influence of Painting on Church and Christianity" was the
subject of an oration by Miss Slralton. Miss Stratton's effort
was by many considered the best of the evening.
INFLUENCE OK PAINTING ON CHURCH AND CHRISTIANITY.
We arc seldom brought to limits of the difference which ex
ists between church and Christianity; yet we arc conscious of
a distinction, the church being an outward sign of the real
and invisible spirit of Christianity. In the Middle Ages this
distinction was very apparent.
With the history of church and Christianity is intimately
connected the history of painting. In associating them we
most frequently think of the artist as an agent or as a slave
and wc seldom inquire what has been his influence on his pro
tectors, the church and Christianity. Yet the power of influ
ence was on the part of painting. In the Middle Ages the
talent of the painter made possible the despotic power of the
church. Or later in the Rcnnaisance the creations of the ar
tist gave strength and support to Christianity. The greatest
strength of painting came from those inherent qualities which
so characterize the art: the power of perspective, the power
of creating the ideal, of picturing in the faces the play of
passion, the workings of the soul and the thoughts and feel
ings of man. Hut besides these it possessed in the Middle
Ages the power of an education, for there was then but one
effective way to teach the masses and that was through the
creations of the artist. The paintings which covered the
walls and ceilings were their only books their Bibles. It
was through such powers that the church J had secured the
minds of men in bondage. And it was through the same pow
ers later that the spirit of christian freedom was spread thr&ugh
all the land.
The closing number was a declamation, "The Prisoner of
Chillon," by Mr. Spurlock. Mr. Spurlock hesitated some
what and was at some disadvantage in the delivery, but he
showed no little talent, and otherwise acquitted hiwself well,
and reflected credit upon his society in his appearance on this
program.
PALLADIAN EXHIBITION.
The Palladians held their fifteenth annual exhibition on
Saturday evening, June 12th. Appreciating the disadvantages
of carrying their program too far into the evening, they rais-
ALL GOODS WARRANTED AS REPRESENTED AT MAYER BROS. 10th ST. CLOTHIERS
cd the curtain at the specified time, notwithstanding the fact
that the auditorium was not more than half filled. Tlus'ac
tion, although praiseworthy in most respects, placed the first
performers at a decided disadvantage.
A piano duet, "Les Grclots," by the Misses Pershing, op"
ened the entertainment. The rendition of this selection was
very spirited, and though short showed great ability. Un
daunted by the stir and bustle incident to the seating of the
many tardy comers, Miss Helen B. Aughcy read in an easy
manner, but not strong voice, a paper on the "Influence of
Ideals."
This essay was one full of thought, showing that much
work had been done in preparing it. Wc, unfortunately, can
not give our readers a synopsis of it
"National Aid to Education" was very spiritedly discussed,
II. P. Barrett speaking in favor of aid.
NATIONAL AID TO EDUCATION.
The right of the nation to extend aid to the states for any
object of national importance is sustained by the Constitution
in that clause providing for the general welfare of the United
States. The first interpretation of that clause is shown by
the opinions of Washington, Jefferson and others, who named
education as the most sacred trust of the nation. The con
stant precedent of a century makes further proof as to the
constitutional meaning unnecessary.
But to round out the argument for national aid, not only
must the right of governmental donation be proved, but also
the need on the part of the people for a national grant. Such
need exists in the south where vast numbers of freed slaves
and low whites, ignorant, vicious, degraded, add to the bur
den of an already impoverished country. In other parts the
communistic and socialistic foreign elements can only be met
by vigorous education.. Other countries have waked from a
lethargy into which they had fallen and arc becoming close ri
vals in the race for supremacy. If wc shall keep our place in
manufactures, in inventions, in trade, we must educate more
vigorously,
Education has also a civilizing power, and if wc are to
solve the questions of state which confront us, and make use
of the opportunities which the future holds out to a civilized
and enlightened people our success must be found in educa
tion. Nor will such a grant for education chill focal enthusiasm.
Every example shows that with the possession of education
the desire for it is increased. The progress of education in
the South is a guarantee of honesty in the use of funds given
by the government- Thus the three essential parts of the ar
gumentthe right of the nation to give, the need for the gift
and its expediency are proved.
D. T. Smith, in the opposing argument said
The south was isolated by the war. In its desolation four
million slaves were made citizens. The burden of educating
them was a test of southern metal. The south undertook the
work manfully. By 1880 every state had a free school system
for both blacks and whites. Education, moved by a constant
force, is progressing with a constant acceleration.
Communities are prone to shift their burdens. Federal aid
will deaden local interest and limit progress. Self support
will create an interest and progress will be limited only by
the demands of society.
If congress can grant aid it can control its distribution.
Congress is sovereign in those powers which it exercises. If
it can control education it can control police regulations.
Congress cannot deprive the state of its sovereignty.
The disposal of public lands is allowed by special permis
sion of the Constitution. Money can be raised by taxation