Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-07-05
NOBLESSE OBLlGE.
REV. @. 8. MuRkLAND's GRAFTON BEFORE
The ALUMNI

The reminiscent spirit that brings us
here today will not let us wholly ignore
the significance of the time. An un-
broken century of democracy, the first
the world has known, is too vast matter
to be lost sight of, even here. In the
presence of that transcendant fact we
are dominated by a two-fold conscious
ness at once literary and national. We
cannot refuse to consider the social and
political functions of the American man
of culture.
The man of culture should hold, by
right, the only democratic patent of no.
bility. Democracy has its privileged
class. Universally of suffrage cannot
confer equality of power. a bill of rights
never guarantees identity of function.
The ballot is an implement of service
rather than the sceptre of authority. De-
mocracy has its feudal trait. Its privi-
legged class decides upon men and meas
ures, leaving to the people nothing but
alternatives of ratification. The garmenl
of democracy gives freest play to the
members of the oligarchy.
That the few rule by delegated power
alters only the appearance of things.
That is true of the most absolute monar-
chy The Gar wields no power but that
of the Russian people. The great dis
tinction of a democracy is that coercion
of the many is accomplished by skill
rather than by force.
This fact, the necessary presence of a
privileged class, must be taken advantage
of. If the few must rule, it is the duty
of the most worthy TO assume the con-
troll that Is theirs by right, a
genuine aristocracy.
National safety demands it. We have
not come to the crucial test of political in
stitutions. When the pressure of popula-
ton is felt; when the increasing ratio of
unas simulated elements forces prob
lens to the front; when the co asst be-
tween great wealth and great poverty
reaches its limit when the margin of
profits is reduced and labor's bitterness
increased by suffering when the idle and
improvident, the vicious and dangerous
masses are grown confident in num-
bers and apparent wrongs,-then will
come the stern trial of popular sover-
eighty.
In view of the popular surrender of
power, in view of present evils and fur
ture dangers resulting therefrom. it be.
comes the imperative duty of the proper
conservators of the public safety that
they take up the tasks of their station.
They must claim, and maintain against
all usurpation. their right and title. The
right is divine. God has decreed that
right purpose and true thought shall rule
in His kingdom. The man who stands
for clear thought and pure purpose rep
resents that imperj,m in imperijs. The
man of culture is the diviuely commits
stoned Interpreter of the everlasting
right.
Because this right is not maintained, it
becomes true. as wise observers have
noted that the standard of public opin-
ion in America is higher than the stand
ard of practical politics. The people toll
crate. while condemning, misuse of their
power.
Active participation in political con-
tests will not suffice. The scholar is no
match for the boss in caucus and conven-
tion. He is like Il physician at a funeral.
1t is too late for his services, and his
presence brings him under mild suspicion
as a previous factor.
The field for leadership is ideal poll
tics; the substitution of clear and hon
est thought, pure purpose and straight
forward methods for the inconsequert
discussion, the selfish interest, the OBJ
lique methods that now make up practic-
al politics.
This is to be reached, first, by insist
ence upon free and fearless teaching in our
coleges-the teaching of political science
rather than partisan politics. Second, by
wide range of sociological and political
teaching. Nothing can supply this lack
better than wise study of Greek. If we
require less Greek, let US offer more.
Finally, there is the power of the cul-
tured man who stands, even alone, for a
principle as against an interest. He may
be out-voted. and yet carry the day.
Accusing the dormant moral sense, he has
set in motion the power of final victory.
The Grafton closed with reference to
Middlebury college, recalling the past
work and suggesting the present wealth
in the fibre of the students and the SYM
pathetic wisdom of the instructors.