National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-28
A Youthful Octogenarlnn.

When the Hon. George Bancroft crossed
the platform Of the Columbian University,
yesterday morning, TO read his address of
welcome to the members OF the Historical
Society, he might easily have passed for
well-preserved mai Of any age between
fifty and sixty. His quick, firm step gave
no indication Of the fact that the great his
torian had almost entered upon his eighty
sixth year. When he commenced to read,
however, one easily perceived the signs Of
age In the hlgh.pitched and sometimes
faltering accents. But the matter Of the
address contained no traces of weakness,
and the strong thoughts flowed on in SEN
tcnces as compact, as nervous, and rs
stimulating as Shakesperean lines. The
address was mainly comparative
study OF democracics, and the speaker
paused for well deserved plaudits, when,
after forcibly dwelling upon our political
constitution, "broad.based upon the peo.
ple's will, ;" he called attention to its essen
TALLY conservative spirit. ut is absolutely
impossible" he said, "without in some
manner taking the opinion of the entire
people TO alter or amend the smallest arti-
Gle Of our constitution, and we are saved
from the danger ever existing in England,
under which violent change may be pro-
duced in 'he whole plan of government by
one nights debate in the house Of com.
mors."
Interesting and powerful as was the ad-
dress the venerable speaker was himself
more attractive than his subject or his treat
mcnt, 1t was scarcely possible to realize,
while listening to the smooth, strong sen-
tenccs that the speaker was In his cradle
when Napoleon crushed the Austrians at
Hohenlinden; that hs was old enough to
understand the merits Of the right of search
difficulty with England In 1912, aud that he
was half way through his undergraduate
| course at Harvard whca "the sounds Of
revelry were heard" In Belgium on that fate
full evening which preceded the events OF
! Waterloo. IL was difficult TO realize yes
terday that Mr.. Bancroft hal been doctor
Of philosophy In Gottingen just sivty.1ve
years ago, and that in 1922 he had filed the
chair Of Greek literature IN Harvard Col
lege. Who would have thought that 1t is
almost fifty years since ne was ap-
| pointed collector OF the port OF Boston,
and that 1t is more than forty years since he
became the Democratic candidate for gov
ernor of Massachusetts 1t is more than
the average span OF human lie since
he entered Mr.. Folks Cabinet as Secretary
Of the Navy, in which capacity he was asso.
ciated with the taking possession of Cali,
fornia. AS Acting Secretary Of War he
gave the order to Gen. Taylor to march into
Texas, and in 1916, while minister to Great
Britain, be was successful in procuring more
liberal navigation laws and vlndicating the
rights Of naturalized citizens of the United
States. Since 1S47, along with the continu
Gus labor required upon his history, he has
served his country with distinction as min
lister to Prussia, to the German confedera.
tion, and, after Sedan, to the German cm.
pire.
Entering upon life with the nineteenth
century, Mr.. Bancroft has taken promi.
nent part in some of its greatest move.
ments, and now, full Of years and honors
blessed "with all that should accompany
old age" he looks forward confidently Il
reaping other harvests and forcing still
larger obligations upon Ills grateful country
men and an admirlng world.