THE HESPERIAN.
face! Why is bo much attention paid to the laboring
man, and ho little to the laboring woman? Why is it
one-third less wages are paid for work if done by a
woman? Flogging servant-girls and the pillory are
barbarities of the past. Of course, we are not bo cruel as
our ancestors; but there are 1,000,000 women in this
country who are little better than slaves. They say
women cannot combine like men to get their rights. The
more reason men should aid them to do so. Girls, the
working-girls are not different from yourselves. They
have the same souls, the same tastes and desires. But
their labor wrecks the body and starves the soul. Our
boasted civilization causes this condition. This age has
another god before God money. It is yet a heathen
land. Money is the Medusa-head which turns men's
hearts to stone. Cheap goods means starvation wages.
There are dark corners iu our civilization. One element
is lacking just ice.
The oration was spoken to, not ct, the audience. Miss
Tower's apenrauce was very graceful. Some manner
isms were noticed, which, however, detracted little from
the force of the delivery.
Music, in the shape of a soprano solo, " Bird of Ixive,"
by Miss Lillian Chamberlain, was next offered. A clear,
flexible voice and unaffected manner made the selection
most enjoyable. Unable to silence with a bow the uni
versal applause, she reapieared and sung a ballad very
sweetly.
G. O. llearn then took up the uilirmative of a debate
on "Compulsory Public School Education." Kdiication
is now popular. It must be made universal. This is the
work of compulsory education. Our present system is
unsatisfactory. Farmers' and miners' children are put
to work early, Poor children receive little education. In
large cities thousands grow up in vice and crime with no
education. Our criminal classes are recruited from these
beggar children. In Germany compulsory education has
diminished crime one-half and pauperism one-fourth. In
New York and Massachusetts it is a success. It is argued
that the state has no right to dictate in this matter.
The state has a right to improve its own condition
Public schools are objected to because religion is not
taught. Our constitution guarantees freedom of
ligion. Our schools are not against religion they
merely leave that for parents and ministers to teach.
Mr. Ilearu spoke iu a very low voice and indistinctly.
He was forced to use his manuscript at times.
L. II. 8 tough ton was the speaker on the negative.
Compulsory education is plausible on its face. But
there an principles at stake. Infringement upon human
rights is only justifiable when it is necessary to present
the rights of others. Ignorance and crime are seen to
gether, but the first is not m-cessarily the cause of the
second. The criminal classes naturally neglect educa
tion. The most illiterate state in the Union has the least
crime. The most highly educated district of France has
the most criminals. Cultivation of the intellect only adds
power to do harm. To prevent crime, train the emo
tions. Public schools can not do this. It is said uni
versal education will make men more happy. Can the
majority decide for the happiness of all? A certain
amount of exercise 'is conducive to health. Dares the
government to require men to spend an hour daily in a
public gymnasium? How does compulsory education
benefit children if they must remain in bad conditions?
Bettor that their intellects are not trained so that they
may bo more skillful criminals. Compulsory education
prevents parents from giving such education as best fits
the child. It prevents parents from keeping their chil
dren from contaminating influences. It ignores that
noble sentiment love of offspring. Let the advocates of
this idea use their time to tench morality, and they will
remedy the evils sooner.
Mr. Stoughton had a strong, well modulated voice, and
was natural and forcible in delivery.
A pin no duct by Miss Minnie 1). Cochran and Miss
Edith Doolittle was next given. It was beautiful both in
itself and in execution. The Indies responded to a hearty
encore.
11. C. Peterson was the next iwrformer. lie spoke of
"The Army of the Potomnc." This army was the em
bodiment of Northern sentiment. It is the noblest army
of history, for it fought for an idea the very life-principle
of the nineteenth century; au idea against which acore
of defeats availed nothing. It was a heterogeneous mass
with one common sentiment. It was hurled against
boasted Southern valor and the greatest military genius
of his age. It possessed Northern iiereisteneo and en
durancethe patriotism of Revolutionary heroes. But
it was scoffed at by the Northern press and pence poli
ticians; it was hampered by an un-military and dictato"
rial government. It was a victim to military inexperi
ence. Its generals were changed before every battle, and
the command forced upon unwilling and incapable men
It was forced into unplanned battles, against impossible
odds. After the terrible defeats of Fredcricsburg, Cluin
ecllorsville, and Gettysburg, it crossed the Bapidan under
(Jen. Grant Foolhardy and conceited, he would listen to
no advice. He recognized neither humanity nor expedi
eney. Seventy thousand victims to the wilfulness of one
man lie along the road from the Bapidan to Richmond.
In grandeur and nobility theyare unapproachable. Most
famous I'.rmics have fought under the stimulus of vic
tory. The Army of the Potomac fought Itetter under the
enervation of habitual defeat. It fought the fight of all
ages the fight of the down-trodden against the op
pressor. When the war was over, this citizn-army
peacefully separated to their homes. Monarchical Europe
looked and wondered.
Mr. Peterson held the attention of his audience through
out, and at the clow was very heartily applauded.
A soprano solo, " If Thou Didst Love Me," was very
sweetly sung by Miss Chamlwrlain. Iu response to con.
tinued applause, .she gave another pretty and amusing
selection.
THE STUDIO RECEPTION.
On Monday afternoon the rooms of the Art Department
were thrown open for the annual reception and exhibition.
The department is ernmjMxl for room, but the various
studies, sketches, and models were arranged to good ad
vantage. Studies in still lifennd life studies by the pupils,
together with the work of the persiective class and that
of the prepartory class were thechief attractions. Much
of the work was very commendable. Miss Moore has
made the department very popular. She has taught an
art history class throughout the entire year with great
success. The preparatory year drawing class is a new
departure which materially assists the scientific students
in their laboratory work. With a little more monoy and
room the department inicrhfc be mnfln n mnh mr.ro ni.
1 uable adjunct to University work.
