University of Wisconsin Superior - Gitche Gumee Yearbook (Superior, WI)

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for men of the mental calibre and moral courage of a Lincoln; men who not only keep abreast of their time, but who blaze the way for progress; men fit to mould the destiny of a nation. Under the guidance of such leaders, the future greatness of our republic is assured. This, indeed, will continue to be the Land of Promise, the refuge of the oppressed and downtrodden of all nations; a place of opportunity, where the humblest may, by energy and application, rise to positions of trust and honor; a place where democracy permeates the whole structure of society; a place where aristocracy and caste arc unknown, where all are equally free and independent. May this always be as true in the future as it has been in the past. Then our nation will forever remain an inspiration to the millions who are struggling for freedom in their own lands—an embodiment of their highest ideals of justice and liberty. Business fKeeting Business convention of the Inter-Normal Oratorical League, held at Superior, Wis., March 20, 1908. Meeting called to order by President Winter. The following committee on credentials was appointed: Ellis N. Calcf, Paul Spencer, George Wchrwcin. Recess. Report of the Committee on Credentials.—The committee reported favorably on the credentials of the following: Burford M. Gilc, Whitewater; Ben A. Arncson, Whitewater; John W. Warnc, Plattcvillc; George Cleary, Plattcvillc; Jennie Hogan, Superior; Ellis N. Calcf, Superior; George Wchrwcin, Oshkosh; Garret A. Stelsel, Oshkosh; Henry N. Bclgum, Milwaukee; Robert Haukhol, Milwaukee; Paul Spencer, River Falls; Charles Sakrison, River Falls; Anna Hanson, Stevens Point; Robert Morrison, Stevens Point. Report accepted. Committee on constitutional amendments appointed: Ben A. Arncson, Robert Haukhol, Robert Morrison. Committee on printing appointed: John W. Warnc, Garret A. Stelsel, Burford M. Gilc. Recess. Report of Committee on Printing.—The committee on printing reported that no bids had been made for the contest number. Report accepted. Moved and carried that the “Gitchc Gurnee,” of Superior, be allowed to print the minutes of this meeting, and the orations, pictures of orators and officers. PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN

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vessel brings its thousands of foreigners. Most of these arc men of character who prove as good citizens, as loyal patriots, as any native born American; but with these come men who furnish an element most dangerous to our national life—men to whom government has meant tyranny; law, oppression; and obedience to higher authority, slavery. Here, then, is a problem that confronts us; that, unsolved, might mean disaster to our republic. It behooves us to deal justly with these unfortunates, to develop their characters and train them for responsible and effective citizenship, and, through the impress of our laws and free institutions, make them realize their obligation to the nation. When this is accomplished, the influx of foreigners will be a cause for rejoicing rather than for alarm. America will feel proud of an array of guests such as the world has never seen before—guests who come not alone to cat and drink, but to work—to harvest our crop, to dig our mines, to reclaim our land, to build our highways, to develop our resources, and with the fruits of their labor to establish American homes. The race problem, too, must be solved. No nation can be permanently secure while race prejudice dominates. The sectional differences which it creates arc bound to prove inimical to the highest interests of the nation. The North as well as the South must take an active part in the solving of this great problem; for both arc affected. Through ignorance, race prejudice, or mere forgetfulness, the negro has been too often unjustly dealt with. We have lost sight of the fact that he was suddenly thrust into a new environment much too ideal for his stage of development, and we have unfairly judged his conduct by our standard of civilization, which has been thousands of years in the making. If the negro is to attain to higher standards of living, we must give him time to grow. We can hasten his progress by extending him a helping hand. Education and training for practical and useful life should be our aim. We have already abundant proof of success along these lines. The work of Booker T. Washington shows us what can be done for the negro. He has accomplished more for his race than any other man. The negro is eager to rise. He docs not ask for social equality, but lie docs demand civil equality. By depriving him of the right of suffrage, we rob him of his only spur to self-improvement; by lynching him, we degrade and lower ourselves. But, through sympathy, brotherly love, and a practical education, the race problem will be solved, and the negro will no longer be a menace to the state. With the dawn of the twentieth century many new problems have sprung up that, unsolved, will become a force for evil strong enough to undermine the very foundation of our government—problems that arc the natural outgrowth of the tremendous social and industrial changes that characterize our age, such as illegal trusts and monopolies, unearned fortunes, discriminating railroads, and a host of other evils, due directly to the influence of these powerful forces. Following the exposure of these evils, a general wave of resentment has swept through our country, and many reforms have since followed in its wake. But the work is not complete. Much still remains to be done. The evils arc still here. Even after being apparently stamped out of existence, they reappear in fresh disguise, defying our laws and endangering the life of our institutions. Before our nation can be secure, it must purge itself of these forces that threaten its destruction. The trumpet call of the hour is for men of character, champions of right and justice; men whose principles arc above the purchasing power of money; men who have the courage of their convictions, and who dare assert themselves. The time calls PACE TWENTY-SIX

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Report of Amendment Committee.—The committee on amendments reported favorably on the following: To amend article V, section 3,'of the constitution, to read as follows: “The several contestants shall send six typewritten copies of their orations to the secretary of the League, at least three weeks before the annual contest. Copies of said orations shall be bound in such a uniform manner, and printed on such uniform paper, as shall be prescribed by the secretary. One copy shall be kept on file by the secretary; one copy shall be sent to each of the judges, as directed in article IV, section 5, of this constitution. Failure to comply with the above conditions shall disqualify the school he represents from participation in the annual contest of the League.” Report accepted, recommendations adopted. Moved and carried that the local associations of the several normal schools be notified of the offices in this League to which they arc entitled for the year 1908-1909. Moved and carried that the treasurer be instructed to send a personal check to Mr. Brier of River Falls, for the amount remitted by him, and that the balance due River Falls be sent to the treasurer of their association. On motion the meeting adjourned. JUDGES. Prof. Rollo L. Lyman, Madison; Dr. Charles M. Jordan, Minneapolis; Hon. L. M. Clausen, Washburn; Hon. John M. True, Baraboo; Supt. R. B. Dudgeon, Madison. officers for 1908-1909. President, Earl Spcrbcck, Oshkosh; vice-president, Ena Sumnicht, Stevens Point; secretary, B. J. Dickson, Superior; treasurer, Dean Smith, River Falls. orations, 1908. “A Type of True Womanly Greatness,” Jennie Hogan, Superior. “The Rights of Man,” John O’Keefe, River Falls. “The Crucible of the Nations,” Bert N. Wells, Oshkosh. ‘‘The Rising Star of the Orient,” James R. Wallin, Plattcville. 'Flic Menace of Corporate Monopoly,” Guy E. Carlcton, Stevens Point. The Destiny of Our Republic,” Henry N. Belgum, Milwaukee. Egoism vs. Altruism,” Easton Johnson, Whitewater. RANKINGS OF JUDGES. Superior ...90 100 100 98 98 3 1-6 1 Oshkosh ...97 98 96 100 100 3 1-12 2 Plattcville ...100 90 94 96 85 19-10 3 Stevens Point .. ...98 84 98 90 80 1 10-21 4 Whitewater ...94 96 97 94 90 1 11-30 5 River Falls . ... ...95 92 95 92 92 1 1-5 6 Milwaukee . ... ...88 84 92 93 77 0 167-210 7 Vive Ii. Young, Secretary. PACE TWENTY-EIGHT