The Princeton union., 1891-06-04

for moment. We have one-half of
the total railroad mileage and one
quarter of all the telegraph lines of the
world. We do one-third of all the
mining, one-fourth Of all the manufact-
uring and one-ffth of all the agricul-
ture of the world. We own one-sixth
OF all it's wealth. The virtue, intelli-
gence and independence of the people
have hept pace with their material
prosperity. The churches of every
city and village evidence the christian
character of the people. Twelve mil
lion children enjoy the blessings of our
common schools. One thousand col
leges, universities and institutions of
higher learning mark the advancement
OF our civilization. Truly, we are a
great nation. Our country and our
flag are respected at home and abroad.
Our national emblem, symbolizing all
that is sacred and lofty in human gov
ernment, is recognized and saluted by
all nations wherever it floats. This was
most happily illustrated during, the
Franco-Prussian war. The king and
crown-p prince of Germany passed
through Hamburg on their way to the
field. A young American girl stopping
at one OF the hotels, hung large
American flag from her balcony, and,
as the royal couple passed, waved an
enthusiastic handkerchief. The king
and son looked up and bowed; and the
prince, like the courteous gentleman
he was, summoned an aide de camp,
and gave an order which was passed
down the line-an order for each regi-
ment as it went by to salute the stars
and stripes.
Citizens of the land of the free and
the home of the brave, we have vast
responsibilities. Worthy SONS of
worthy sires, the patrimony of our
fathers is ours to keep and preserve.
The possibilities Of the future are not
easily fathomed. We are living in a
wonderful age, and under many new
conditions. Our population is complex.
We must meet emergencies as they
arise. Vigilance is the price of liberty.
The clashing interests of labor and
capital demand our most serions con-
sideration. Our immigration laws de-
mand revision. The education of
individual man in all that ennobles and
puriies both intellect and heart is the
work Of the hour. ss@s---e@
Napoleon I, speaking of Europe said,
''the time will come when Europe will
be all Cossack or all free.'' Macauley,
the historian, speaking of America
said, 1.-THE day will come when null
titude of people, not one half of whom
has had more than half a breakfast or
expect to have more than half a dinner,
will choose the legislatures. Is it pos
sible to doubt what sort of a legislature
| will be chosen? On one side is states
man preaching patience, respect for
vested rights, strict observance of pub
!, lie faith, while on the other hand is a
demagogue, ranting about the tyranny
| OF capitalists and usurers, and asking
why anybody should be permitted to
drink champagne or ride in a carriage
while thousands of honest folk are in
want of necessaries. Which of the two
candidates is likely to be preferred by
a workingman who hears his children
crying for bread? I seriously appre-
hend that you will, in some such season
of adversity as I have described, do
things which will prevent prosperity
from ever returning. Either some
Caesar or Napoleon will sieze the reins
of government with a strong hand, or
your republic will be as fearfully plum
dered and laid waste by barbarians in
the twentieth century as the Roman
Empire was in the fifth, with the diff
ference, that the Huns and Vandals
who ravaged the Roman Empire came
from without, and that your Huns and
Vandals will have been engendered
within your own country and by your
own Institutions"
God grant that when the great strug-
gle shall come, as it surely will, in
volving the whole Of Europe, and the
old monarchies and dynasties shall
crumble away, Europe, like a storm
swept country, when it is all over, will
enjoy a brighter sky and a purer at
mosphere. God grant, too, that the
prophecy Of Macauley may never be
fulfilled. It was made before the war
Had it been made to-day, its author
would have been less apprehensive
4 The war of the rebellion taught the
world a lesson, and demonstrated the
| ability of a free people to perpetuate
their institutions, to strengthen their
cement and to repair their foundations,
But recent events have forcibly re.
called his words. Had the prophecy
been made to-day, it would have re.
ii ooiund tho mod; r 10 4;or of 1ooct tha1