GOLDEN GATE DISTRICT PAIR ASSOCIATION. 199 



upon the energy of man in stimulating him to labor, has given to 

 Europe and America a civilization that is much more effective, show- 

 ing a capacity for development in all directions that was quite 

 unknown to the old civilization, originated by the fertility of the 

 soil. Even among ancient civilization, however, there was this 

 remarkable difference: that the developments under a friendly cli- 

 mate were of a better and higher type than those due to the fruitful- 

 ness of the soil. The civilization of Egypt, for example, was the 

 result, chiefly, of a fertile soil, caused by the annual overflow of the 

 Nile, and though in its nature great, was not lasting or specially 

 influential; while that of Greece, where the soil was poor, was due 

 mainly to a genial climate which brought into activity all the energies 

 of the people, and this promoted a growth of intellect unknown 

 before, and in some respects still unsurpassed, having through its 

 literature and its arts left an imperishable impress upon the char- 

 acter and civilization of the whole world. 



It seems, then, that climate and soil, operating upon individual 

 character, are the chief agents iu the promotion of intellectual growth 

 among nations. If this be true, it must follow that where the climate 

 is favorable and the soil is good, both causes will cooperate in devel- 

 oping the highest type of civilization; and as intelligence promotes 

 longevity in the individual man (who is the archetype of society), 

 such a civilization ought to insure long life to the nation in which it 

 prevails. We, who believe in our republican form of government, as 

 founded upon sound and imperishable principles, cling to the faith 

 that it is not destined to "perish from the earth," and as the vast 

 area over which the nation extends is universally favored in both 

 climate and soil, it is not unreasonable that we should hold this 

 belief, providing we do not lose sight of the conditions upon which 

 long life for the nation depends, that is: the cultivation and organi- 

 zation of a national intellect capable of supporting the body politic 

 so intimately dependent upon it. As we wish our posterity to enjoy 

 as much of the happiness of life as possible; and as we believe our 

 political institutions are peculiarly adapted to promote happiness; 

 so we are all interested in whatever may tend to save our country 

 from premature decay. And in this far more depends upon indi- 

 vidual effort — upon the unremitting effort of all the people, in their 

 individual capacity — than upon what may be done by us as a govern- 

 ment. Indeed, the latter is but the effect of the former, as a cause. 

 The national intellect of which Dr. Draper speaks, is but another 

 name for the public opinion which is well recognized as the con- 

 trolling force in our system of government. Public opinion is the 

 aggregate judgment of the people. It is expressed in various ways, 

 but most effectively at the ballot box. There it forms the govern- 

 ment, creating Legislatures by which laws are. made; naming Judges 

 by whom the laws are interpreted; and selecting executive officers 

 through whom the laws are enforced. Thus it happens that popular 

 ideas in time become crystallized into law, and unpopular laws either 

 fail of enforcement or lose the character of law by repealing statutes. 



How, then, can we best create and maintain a sound public opin- 

 ion? That is the problem which must always be before the people 

 of our country. It should never be lost sight of, neither by the Gov- 

 ernment, nor by the people individually. Upon its solution depends 

 the destiny, the very existence of our free institutions. If asked how 

 long we may expect the nation to live, the answer is plain: so long 



