The daily gazette., 1877-06-29
Harvard Unive csitv

Harvard Unive csity.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PHI BETA
| KAPPA-AN ABLE ADDRESS BY UNI
TED STATES SENATOR BAYARD, OF
DELAWARE.
| CAMBRlDGE. Mass, June 90, 1877.
The annual gathering Of the mem bers
OF the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity of Har-
ward College occurred at Harvard to-day,
and was a large one. Members were
present from all parts of the country and
joined in making the day an agreeable
supplement- to the commencement of
Wednesday The weather was delight
tul, and everything tended to make the
occasion an enjoyable one.
SENATOR BAYARD's ADDRESS.
Senator Thomas F. Bayard, of Della
ware, delivered a long and interesting
address to the members of the fraternity
on the great American commonwealth,
| its present privileges and RESPONSE bilities
| and its hopes for IA glorious future. ain
other countries" said Mr.. Bayard "the
discussion of the topics of law and gov
ernment might be properly addressed
only TO those exceptional bodies or clas-
| ses of citizens upon whom the duty and
control of public affairs were devolved,
and who, under their system, relieved
| the general body of inhabitants from all
! responsibility for the consideration and
adjustment of such dry and difficult ques-
tions. Not SO here. In America we
have embarked our political fortunes and
staked all our hopes of good government
upon the capacity of free and intelh-
gent people to govern themselves by the
institution and maintenance of wise and
just laws, as means to attain the great
ends of liberty, tranquility and happi-
ness, the independence and elevation of
the minds and characters of the people.
1t is at once evident that indi vidual il
dependence in thought and expression Is
peculiarly needed under our majority
rule, ,and is at the same time more endan-
gered than where less number of rulers
Is to be consulted. The absence of poltl-
cal ranks or classes removes the barriers
to the uninterrupted roll of the great
wave of public opinion which is so apt to
submerge and bear down opposition from
individuals. Therefore, as the number
of minds to be reached and consulted is
greater in America than elsewhere, the
task of government is greatly increased
form it assumes here; and in congratula-
ting ourselves upon our privileges, let us
not be unmindful of the duties that go
daily hand-in-hand with them, and
which justice imposes upon all who
would earn the right to enjoy them.
TRUE LIBERTY.
1t is a great truth that liberty must
rest upon IL moral rather than upon a
political basis, and does not consists in
Lob L,
cur1ty in the peace and happiness, the
| independence and elevation of mind,
| which il brings to such as are capable OF
truly comprehending and enjoying it's de-
| lights, which once tasted leate holy
| thirst, which nothing but pure fountains
| can satisfy. By it men are developed in
| mind and soul; it increases and encour-
ages activity 4 both, and founded as is
our American system upon the profound
| assurance and trust that the good ele-
menrs in human nature are more power
| ful than the evil aud are continually
gaining on them-the result is, that in
an increased activity the preponderance
of what is good will increase and that
society will advance with an accession of
virtue, OF national power, freedom, aud
Independence.
Upon nothing less lofty is founded our
theory of American liberty, and we have
sought its security i'll a government of
laws as the basis OF peace and order
which their execution guarantees. 1t is
true that liberty is held under govern
ment, but the liberty of opinion keeps
government itself in subjection to its
duty.
This is true liberty, when the free-born
men.
Having Z advise the public, may speak
free:
Which he who can and will deserves high
praise.
Who neither can nor will. may hold his
peace.
What can be juster in state than this ?
1t is by law alone that the fixed and
durable possession is created which is
called property. Men exercise foresight,
labor and economy, and the fruits of all
are secured by law; industry creates and
law preserves; before the law there was
no property; take away the law and prop
erty ceases
In this presence need say nothing of
the manifest duty and necessity of the
constant subordination of the will of IN
dividuals to the established laws, because
it is SO manifest that no government
could stand where the general will per-
mitted to be counteracted by individual
opinion or caprice. Life in society Is inn
possible without such mutual relations
and such a common bond, and social ore
der would inevitably be dissolved if every
man declined practical acguiescene in
any political regulation he did not per-
sonally approve.
The duty of submission is founded in
principles which are i'll force under every
government of laws, and under ourj
American system is superadded the addi-
tional persuasion aud obligation to1
obedience TO the laws that they are mainly
the creation of those who are to be gov
erned by thom, aud the demands OF
common security ore strengthened hv th,
app-dl Of good faith. A I'D this NJ tx,
ob, Cti-nce to law The hoAorahle duty Of