New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-13
ROANOKE COLLEGE.
GRAFTON BY CLARKsON N. POTTER

BEFORE THE LITERARY SOCIETIES.
SALEM, Va, June 12.-At 10 o'clock n. m.
to-day, Professor c. Wells Pm. D., OF the faculty, de-
verered the historical address the general reunion OF
Roanoke College students. He followed by the Hon.
John Paul. Of Virginia, who spoke OF the importance
Of pOpuari2ng higher education and the great part al
ready performed IN this work by Roanoke College In the
afternoon Captain A. Pfer, OF South Carolina, deliy
cred the Grafton on The essentials
in life" lie followed by VIM. Muncaster. who
made humorous address of Our Inner Life" Mr.
J. NJ Layne. Mayor Of Huntington, w. Va, made the
closing address Tie Hon. ClarKsOn ~ Potter arrived
this evening at o'clock, and escorted TO quarters
at the Duva House. AT O'Clock was serenaded by
the Marine Band and citizens OF Salem. Mt. Potter,
having been presented by the Hon. II. A. Edmundson,
few remarks. returning his thanks for the unex
pocted honor done him.
Atsp.m an immense throng sought admission TO
the Town Hall, which far too small
for the number who were DESTROYS Of
hearing Mr.. Potter's address before the literary
societies. After prayer by the Rev. Geo. W.
Bagden D. D.. Of Boston. Lieutenant Governor James
a. Walker, Of Virginia, introduced Mr. Potter TO the
on rising speak Mr.. Potter greeted with enthu
sasc applause, aud he had the closest attention OF his
large audience during the delivery Of his address
CLARKsONN y. POTTER's ADDRESS
Mr. Potter began his address by describing the route
he had taken Salem. and said that mile
| of the way is rich in the memory Of
great men and great deeds" After speaking OF
/ the phl bicdl advantages OF NHElhb, ne palu coh
siderable attention to the principles which the Gov
erument founded. The principal features OF the
remainder OF his address are gwen below;
REPUBLICAN CONVENIENT NOT A FAILURE.
But, beyond the difficulties arising from crowded
population unequal distribution OF wealth, and
nous combinations Of industry and capital to which
I have referred. many grave ana positive evils con
front us. on every side corruption prevails
II has found place In the Legislatures Of the
principal States and has even, some occasions, en-
I rcd fD uraA
which 100000 persons hold their places az the alb
soute VIII and disposal Of the President and entirely
partisan In its character az TO give rise every
/ where 70 grievous complaints and grevous evils
None OF these evils existed or were I0reseeu IN me
time OF our fathers. They the result OF the growth
OF the country IN numbers ana wealth ana the cor,
| places aud patronage, and they require other
remedies than any which the fathers have provided.
How, then are these evils To De metz 10 40 So must we
abandon the principles upon which fathers founded
this Government, aud hold that however good 10 for
their day, they are suited for time ana
dltion or may VI yet find within their principles the
Just adaptation Of those PRINCIPLES 10 existing conditions
wili be- found tue rqGrrd auu 'nH' u is need
! Every ana then We bear worthy people alarmed
fnre aud that What We need b q despotistn a dictl-
t0rshD, absolute authority OF some KIND such po0-
pie 1t seems 10 me, grayey mistake TIE cfcumsiances
| and the spirit Of the age IN countries IN which
newspaper exist, information ~ too rapidly disseinn-
aled aHd combinations among The people are TOO readily
3fborfy For tue English speaking racr least re-
/ publican government IS not failure.
~ y2p Gone5 tSs ua wv. oSo e1eB,9 a5
yy3 III AZ s.s M rom fie popu.ar Government of
/ tue ancient times, and that b. limitation The wisdom
| Of applying 20 such governments "hat Mr Van
/ 80 peofIe. has everywhere been recognized.
So nearly every modern government u more Or less
constitutional goyeinmeui-tllt Do, government ba7rd
upou % fundamental charter which limits tne action
ana the powers Of the rulers 20 mat whether he1cd.-
tary mOuarchs or elected pitsla,nis, thtIt De cera
Things which they may not do. Undoubtedly this fun
/ dameutai law Doe changed, but with So mucn
difficulty and after 20 much TINE that IN eject 10
answers a4 constant Imitation upon ihe drst thought
ANA the wish Of the people This truth the fathers
S,Iiv realized and they inserted the government
Staic and Federal. Of their ume greater limitations upon
government before, and all that ia the then eNsdng
conditions were necessary. But Notwithstanding me
,,t I'll. over the world occupied n discussing tue dis
'i,t,n ~ its powtrs We nave failed 10 make allowance
for such changes the country ana 40 society a. have
meantime taken place. and been unwilling 10 believe
tbot nnv corresponding changes ~ our Constitution
we're required. Yet conscious OF eAShR evils me cry
has everywhere gone up for reform ana better admins
ration OF government a. n permanent reform could be-
secured or better administration be permanently had
without such notifications ln the scope ana powers Ol
| government 90 existing conditions require.
! FURTHER RESTRAINTS UPON LEGISLATION REQUIRED.
NOW in the great II has been found thar abuses
and corruption in legislation are mainly the result Of
| pryate and special laws. Legislation by general law
/ which affects equally all the community, rarely
affords opportunity for private gain. But the
legislation which gives 90 particular per
sons special privileges or mOnopolies
proves rich every inducement 20 deception, injustice
has proved encctual TO prevent this is to be found
/ in severely dephying the Legislature OF the
| mower 20 lcglslate FOR any citizen In pre-
! ference 20 at the expense OF the whole
m true that there has been bat little corruption IN
Congress yet because there has been but little scope
FOR private legislation there Hitherto the legislation
OF Congress has been chiefly general. But year by
! year the private and special legislation 5y
Congress There have been over 1000 apph
cations 10 during the present session alone for
some form special relief The very number OF these
claims course prevents Intelligent consideration
of them and alike the power Of Congress 10 DO
Justice and discriminate aga MT injustice ana affords
as wei opportunity inducement 20 evil and corrupt
| legislation
| EXECUTIVE PATRONAGE SHOULD BE RESTRICTED
| AND DIMINISHED.
So TOO with the evils that the civil service
| When the Government was established the executive
patronage was insignificant that provision was
| made for its regulation. II increased gradually
with the growth and power Of the Nation, I'M
| nh to-day Il exceeds the patronage Of almost any
monarch Until the telegraph was In general use this
dent was 10 a certain extent. restricted and localized
The necessities Of discipline required that 10 the days OF
| tardy communication by mail, the control OF Federal
officials In states remote from the Capital should be ele-
gated 10 friend OF the Executive there But now ny
the and Of the telegraph the President can discipline
tn II has hsnpened tbat today he absolutely
ana directly the life and conduct OF more Than
100000 officials. II we say that each OF theso ohths
! can control two votes beside his own, have then
over 800 900 dependent the Executive will
number greater than the majority ~ many Presden-
tlai eect0ns Beyond this these ofce-holders form
moi only an army Of voters, but Of workers. 80
! that 10 turn out Administration once IN power re-
0uires not merely majority OF pfople but majority
reat enough 20 Overbalance tins army Of OiicohOders
| and their followers and efforts
by thus cenranzug al the patronage under one con
troll we divide the country into two 1eat parts,whose
contes that control threatens TO destroy the COY
eminent When patronage islocazed the strlie Ohb
affects the localities But oenirallLe all the appolhl
meus under control and then the people al once III
vide themselves every years la strife for that con
troll rs dangerous rs u Is dem0falizhg worthy neu
| ten us that what Is needed 20 cure these evils
l. better administration Of the Executive PATRONAGE,
To this they would nave oOmpeluEe eAainato1 t