New-York tribune., 1874-06-24
IOvIsBU-RG. PENN. UNIVERSITY.

ADDRESS OF TIE HON. A. X. VI CLURE AT THE COM
MENCEMEST JUNE % - AMERICAN POLITICS -
PROSPECT OF INDEPENDENCE FROM Party CON
TROL-
GENTLEMEN OF THE LITERARY SOCIETIES ::
Let US forget the partisan for seasoD and remember
that we have country. Here, before the young men
whe are 10 60 out teachers OF their fellows the dis
cusson OF American politics, with Intelligent canaor
eminently BELTS the occasion
The speaker then gave extended review Of the his
tory of American politics, bringing 1t down 20 the pres
ent day. The following were his concluding words
De you stin Doubt the regenerating powers OF the
people OF our free government IL so, look calmly
around your own community. and III every see
tion of the country ana you VII see the virtue OF the
bes days Of the republic ready to repeat itself At no
period in all the political changes of the past have there
been so many thoroughly independent men among the
gifted and Trusted in the land Yon may look even
beyond our nation 10 the civilization OF the world
and after you shall have studied rs statesmanshP
must turn to award TO Oux own leaders the highest
yields obedience TO the demands OF uuscrupulous
partsanship. NGr 10 our statesmen stand alone III
aeis aepepeaSt nSee pe.s rnder old party M
iions, the press was wholly partisan or nsu-
teachings of party To-day there is not leader
OF puoe opinion among all our pnulc Journals that is
have had their day and are no longer power in direct
lug the convictions Of the people Tue, there
putin iteheeuce generally difused. that when
pendent official speaks through subsidized press, he
trality Ia politics Is one qualities OF
journalism. Our political system is understood
the questions that eaQs for the honest consideration
OF every citizen, and III the pulpit Ia the rei sious
press. in the centers Of learning aud throughout
whole literature. the fearless discussion OF political
policy, and OF the prominent acts OF our public men.
confess public duty. or the public Journals
our country there is not that would not Indignantly
resent the importation OF supervlency to partisan inter
ests and is fact WORTHY OF note that leading
only they were unshackled from party control And
the independent leaders and journalists daily
fbsir foil lnViu is ey-
denced the general dsinegraiion of political ele
ments tO be witnessed on every side.
We are rapidly approaching another epoeh ID our po
uucal progress new departure that viii be lnemOra-
bic for the Of the nation from The harsh
exactiOns and rude deormiIies OF partisan rie Ut will
not be the mere overthrow u any particular parry !ait
for both OF the great parties OF to-day VIII be Ic III her
teachings aud results for generations 10 come but II
will be the advance OF q mighty nation 20 higher
standard OF intelligence AMI political action than IL has
before known. The struggle Of the present Is
much TO found new parties as TO escape from the
tbrald0m OF old parties; and how the battle farce
visible to the most casual observer II any fact
Obvious than another IN politics. II is that the
center OF political gravauon Is lost in all existing par
tisan organizations. Liberals hard money men, iufa-
tonsts grangers. refOrmers. crusaders liquor eagnes
workingnen. Cuba aud san DJmingo annex At oDists
one-tern Den. thirderm and almost indefinite
list OF lesser chaotic poca diversions tell the story OF
tue Inevitable Of partisan power Wise states
nanship aud devoted patriotism in the dtnnisration
Of the Government could suv but cur
rupton and arrogance aud inc0n potency may greatly
hastenit. Aud when II comes, II will come 10 stay
Parties will continue to exist for without organlzatisn
great achievements eau be attained III but 10 party
either Of the present Of the future ever again
command success by mere parry discipline Tue party
lash, known In other days, and Is st attempted by
those who have more bition than discretion will not
terrorze men In future political actions DO not
hand, that IL ever come In this any other
or less any political control and errors OF
policy will continue while man IL fAifbe; but look TO
the future of American politics frsugbt with the
uuphs OF free government.
lFor rtyn.Jre~ epr College, sa T~sA PsJel,