Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-23
LIBERAL EDUCATION.
President Cleveland's Address While Con.
ferring Degrees nt the Georgetown
University Ceniennial-He
Talks Like a Spirit.
ualfst.


University CenIennial-He
Talks Like Spirit
ualist.
WASHINGTON, February 22.-President
Cleveland to-day, while comforting degrees
granted by Georgetown University, spoke
as follows:
In the moment 1 shall occupy, I shall not
speak of the importance, in q general sense,
of liberal education, or refer to the
value of universities like this as the
means for acquiring such education; nor
will 1 remind you OF all the
causes for congratulation which this
centennial occasion affords. These things have
been presented to you in all that you have seen
and heard here, in the days just passed, and
they are suggested by the atmosphere all
about us.
am thinking of this college as an alma
mater and calling to mind the volume of love
and affection which has been turned toward
her from the great outside world, of her
alumni. during the 100 years of her life, and
at this time especially. To-day the young
graduate, whose alma mater occupies
broad place in his life; turns to
her with warm enthusiasm. The middle
aged graduate to-day pauses in the hustle and
turmoil Of business activity to give loving
glance and affectionate greeting to his alma
mater. The aged graduate to-day in memory
passes over scenes and events Of more recent
date, to recall through the mellowing light of
years the incidents of college life,
his alma mater. If the dead graduates
are not with you to-day in spirit, the loving
bands which attach them TO their alma mater,
though broken by death, are here, hallowins
the place where they are kept, and making at
this honored institution sacred shrine.
Another thought, born suppose, of the
solemn trust which have held for the Ameri-
can people, prompts me to say word concern
ing the relation which such an institution as
this should bear to American citizenship. Men
OF learning we at all times need, but we also
need good citizenship. There should not be that
selishnessin in educationwhichle leads its possessor
to live within himself and to hug his
treasure with sordld satisfaction. The least
an educated man should do Is to make himself
a good, true American citizen: and he fails to
do his entire duty II he does not also improve
the citizenship of Others. His love of country
should be great, his interest in public affairs |
should at all times be active and his discharge
of the duties of citizenship should be guided |
by all the intelligence he possessed and aided |
by all the learning he has acquired.
Georgetown college should be proud Of the |
impress she has made upon the citizenship of |
our country. On her roll of graduates are |
found the names Of many who have performed |
public duty better for her teaching while her |
alumni have swollen the ranks OF those who |
in private stations have done their duty as |
American citizens intelgerily and we'll |
cannot express my friendship for your col. !
lege better than to wish for her in the future, |
as she has had in the past, an army of alumni, |
learned, patriotic and useful, cherishing the |
good of their country as an object ofloftiest ef-
fort, and leen,ing their contributions to good |
citizenship q supremely worthy use of the edu- |
cation they have acquired within these walls.