Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-11-09
air. Cieveland's Speech at Harvard.


Mr.. President and Gentlemen-I find
myself to- day 10 company to which 1 am
much unused and when see the alumni
Of the oldest college in the land surround.
Jog, in their right of sonship, the maternal
board at which | am but an invited guest,
the reflection that for me- there exists no
alma mater gives rise to feeling of regret,
which is kindly tempered only by the cor
diaty of your welcome and your reassuring
kindness. If the fact is recalled that only
twelve of my twenty. one predecessors in of.
tee had the advantage of a collegiate or
university education, proof is presented
OF the democratic sense of our people rather
than an argument against the supreme
value OF the best and most liberal education
in high public positions. There certainly
can be 10 sufficient reason for any space Or
distance between the walks of the most
classical education and the way that leads
to political place. Any disinclinaton on
the part OF the most learned and cultured
CT our citizens to mingle in public affairs,
and the consequent abandonment of polit.
ical activity to these who have but little re-.
gard for student and scholar in politics, are
not favorable conditions under government
such as ours, and if they have existed to a
damaging extent very recent events appear
to Indicate that the education and consery-
atism of the land are to be hereafter more
plainly heard in the expression of popular
will. Surely the splendid destiny which
awaits a patriotic effort in behalf of our
country will be soon reached, if the best of
our thinkers and educated men shall deem
it solemn duty of citizenship to actively
and practically engage in political affairs,
and if the force and power of their thought
and learning shall be willingly or unwilling
~ acknowledged in party management. II
| am to speak of the President of the United
States, | desire to mention as the most
pleasant and characteristic feature of cur
system of government the nearness Of the
people to their President and other high
| officials. A close view afforded our citizens
OF the acts and conduct of those to whom
they have intrusted their interests serves as
regulator and check upon temptation and
pressure in oflice, and is q constant reminder
that diligence aud faitbfulness are the
measure of public duty and such relation
between President and people ought to
to leave but little room in popular Judgment
and conscience for just and false accusations
and for malicious SANDERS Invented for the
purpose of undermining the peoples trust
and confidence ia the administration of
| their government. Nopublic officer should
desire to check the utmost freedom of criti
cism as to all official acts, but every right.
thinking man must concede that the Pres.
| dent OF the United States should not be put
beyond the protection which American love
OF fair play and decency accor6s to every
American citizen. This trait of our ma
tlonai character would not encourage, if
their extent and tendency were fully ap.
ny aH hn ell
that every day are found in the columns of
| certain newspapers, which violate every in
stiuct of American manliness and in goulish
glee desscrate every relation of private life.
There is nothing in the highest Office that
the American people can confer which re.
cessarly makes their President altogether
selfish, scheming and untrustworthy.
"On tho contrary, the solemn duties
which confront him tend to sober seuse of
responsibility the trust of the American
people and an appreciation Of their mission
among the nations Of the. earth should max
hlnl patriotic man, and the tales of distress
which reach him from the humble and low.
~ and needy and afflicted in every corner
OF the land cannot fail 10 quicken within
him every kind impulse and tender sensi.
bility. After all it comes to this (: The PEG
pie OF tho United States have one and all a
sacred mission TO perform, and your Presi-
dent. not more surely than every other citi.
z0n who loves bis country, must assume
part of the responsibility Of tho demonstra.
ton to tho world of the success of popular
government. No man can hide his talent
under napkin and escape the condempa.
ton which his slothfuIness deserves, nor
eVade the stern sentence which his faithless
ness invites.
BE assured my friends, that the privi-
leges of this day, SO full of Improvement.
and the eDjoymenls of this hour, SO full of
pleasure and cheerful encouragements, will
never DC forgotten and in parting with you
now, let me express my earnest hope that
HarVard's alumni may always shonor the
venerable institution which has honored
them, and that no man who forgets and neg.
lects his duly to American citizenship will
lind his alma mater here"