New-York tribune., 1877-06-28
UNION COLLEGE.
ADDRESS BY CHANCELLOR GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
ON " HE PUBLIC DUTY OF EDUCATED MIN

ADDRESS BY CHANCELLOR GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
ON HE PUBLIC DUTY OF EDUCATED MEN'-
AWARDS OF PRIZES HONORARY DEGREES.
SCHENECTADY, n. Y, June 27-Union College
Commencement observed to-day with oldtims en-
thuliasm. The Chancellor's address delivered by
George William Curtis, Chancellor Of Union Univers
Tho subject of bis oration WAS The Public Duty Of
Educated Men" The eloquent manner IN witch the orator
treated his subject won the attention OF his hearers
throughout the hour speaking. In the opening
sentences OF his address Mr. Cur spoke OF the faith O
the college graduate in power Of educated men, sn1
said that this power ought - he used in behalf OF ones
country by assuming pEbiio duties Public duty" did
not necessarily official duty, although II did mean
attendance at meetings, seryi upon committees,
and trouble and expense r many kinds, patient e-dur
ancc OF re0rs chagfns ridcues, defeats" Mr Curtis
then explained at length what he meant by public
duty"
Public duty in this country is not discharged,
and s,in aI essentially Of hs political dury The
Pharisee Tho tthes Of a that He Possessed and
tasted taree times III the week. vet lacked tc very h'ar5
or religion When an American ctizcn 10 content WIN
voting merely ne consents 10 accept Nna; ls oiien
alternative The citizen who supp0scs THAI ne does all
hi. duty he votes, psccs premium upon political
him A choice which be- has done nothing 10 prevent,
between Jeremy Didder ana Dick Turpiu Tie Idfiy
for which ne Is responsible are Iurdn ard Hon
esty" Didter ana Reform" And WITHIN few wears.
as . result Of This Indifference TO tle details of public
the Union was Jonathan Wild the Great; tie captain u
band of punierers know IS said ina, the knayes
machinery which viii inevitably grind Only tho grst "
rascas rae answer is that wEen honest men dd once
what they ought always, tho thlsyo5 were nctec
and the machine w9s broken. II Ignorance ana cor u-
uOn and intrigue control TIE primary meeting, and
tnanago me convention, ard dictate the nomination,
the fault the honest and intelligent workshop and
ofhcs tie library ana tie paror. nj the church ana
10 their political nights as tbe 5idnls ana the giOg-
shops the pOo-rOons and the Kennels When the edu-
"a frf4A Al IL
Jealous and pr0mpt aud uulans IN p"tltal ActFi-f As
the ignorant ana yenai ana nj m-cheyous, or when u Is
plan That they caunCt 90 rOused 10 their duty tnen out
not uuiil theu-n ignorance ana corruption i"ays carry
tine y-there can Be no honest question hat tlc le
GOOD men sit home, not knowing that there Is any
thing ne done caring 20 know cultvatng feel-
vulgar 6ulhes and brayoes; haf persuaded tlat re-
public Is the contemplate rule OF nob ana secretly
Der it u not government mtstred by Ignorance.
X h. a government betrayed by neihgcnce IL i not the
is not that bad brave, but tna good men are
iuiiGels and cOWarls'
Continuing his address, Mr Curtis answered the often
urged objection that education at college is disad-
vantage 10 one ambitious " success In political LIFE lie
argued that SUCH an education greatly strengthened nat
ul po.rs and pointed 70 CavOur Bismarck, and Glad
Stone as examples Of cOeg-bred who were not IN
practicable statesmen The first object OF concerted
political .e0D, ia his opinion IL the highest welfare Oi
the country Bat the were constantly substituted
the end The partisan shut his eyes TO the faults OF
his party and argued that not 10 sustain IL under every
circumstance To the country Ihe same man
also denied tho patriotsln Of his political opponents.
The brutal spirit lad exhibited ITSELF al the the
rnie OF President JohnsOn's Impeachment. proceed
ing to be Instituted only for great public
made party measure, the party whip was applied
EabOratiBg this theme, Mr. Curtis continued as f0no"s;
Gentlemen. how dire calamity the same party spirit
pgeY&llAg fol tue country within 10" mouths We