JUDGE LYNCH AND HIS INFLUENCE
A S we turn the pages of history and ponder the events of the
past, we find that incidents which, at the time of their occur
rence, were considered of comparatively little importance, have
been stepping stones toward some mighty movement which has
shaped the destinies of men and of nations. For instance, at the
time that little fleet left Palos, Spain, more than four centuries ago
and sailed away over unknown waters, the wildest flight of fancy
could never have pictured the great continent it was to discover
and the colossal republic which should one day arise thereon to
champion the cause of the oppressed against Spain herself.
But gradually the germs of a nation were scattered along these
strange shores. Colonies sprang up and flourished in spite of
dangers, difficulties, and irksome restrictions placed upon them
by the mother countries. In fact, these very difficulties only
served to unite the widely scattered settlements, weld them into
one common mass until they became a nation. And to-day we
are proud of America, proud of her record, her strength, her
glory; proud of the stand for the right she has so nobly taken
and is so grandly filling.
It is easy, in these days of the manifestation of power and
patriotism, to arouse the American people to enthusiasm by laud
ing their national virtues. It is more repulsive to our feelings to
dwell on what we may.consider a national fault, or, even worse, a
national crime, but as a reasonable people, a people ambitious to
excel and to perpetuate our grand institutions, it behooves us,
not to stand idly gazing in rapt admiration at'the beauties and
perfections of the great structure of government we are rearing,
but rather to give careful and thoughtful attention to the weak
spots in that structure lest they develop into great flaws which
may bring the whole structure crashing about our heads
Picture in imagination, if you will, a humble home whose in
mates are a father, a mother, and four children, one of which is
an infant. The hour is midnight and all are asleep when sud
denly voices are heard without and the sleepers awaken to find
their home in flames. They seek safety in flight and are met by
(junior prize; oration.)