Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-02-25
A DAY TO HONOR.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF
THE FIRST PRESIDENT.
Grover Cleveland Add esses Ann Arbor
Students on Sentiment in Our National
Life" and Gov. Russell Responds to the
Toast, "Our Country"

ANN ARBoR, Mich, Feb. 20. -Ex-Presi-
dent Grover Cleveland, accompanied by
ex-Gov. Campbell Of Ohio, OK Postmaster
General Don NJ. Dickinson of Detroit and
w. s. Bissell OF Buffalo arrived here at
II :46 a. IN. from Detroit The city was
gaily decorated in honor Of the distinguish
ed party. Fully 1000 students Of the uni
versity were gathered at the depot who
greeted them with the blare OF tin horns
and with the versity yell.
Mayor Doty met the party as they alight-
ed from the train and presented MIR. Cleve-
land with the freedom Of the city in a silver
casket The ex-president replied with
suitable words of thanks, saying that in all
the offices which he had held ho had enjoyed
none more than that of mayor. After lunch
at President Angels residence, the party
proceeded to University hall where at 3
O'Clock Mr.. Cleveland delivered an address
upon the subject of sentiment in our ma.
tional life. ~
Mr.. Cleveland, in part, said "Among
the few holidays which the rush and hurry
of American life conceds to us, surely no
one OF secular character, is SO suggestive
and impressive the day we celebrate on
this occasion. We not only commemorate
the birth of the greatest American who
nected with his career, all the events and
incidents which led up to the establishment
of free institutions in this land of ours,
and eliminated in the erection of our won
drous nation.
The beginning Of anything like public
sentiment looking to the formation of our
nation is traceabe to his efforts. The cir
cular letter he sent to the governors OF the
States, as early as the close OF the war of
the revolution, contained the germ of the
constitutions; and all this was recognized by
his unanimous choice to preside over the
convention that framed it. His spirit was
in and through 1t all.
When we are told that we are practical
and common sense people, we are apt to re-
! ceive the statement with approval and APP
pause. Growing out OF this feeling an lu
creasing disposition is discernble among
our people, which begrudges to sentiment
any time or attention that might be gveu
| to business and which is apt to crowd out
of mind any thought not directly related to
selfish plans and purposes. 4 little refec-
| ton ought to convince us that this may be
carried much too far 1t is mistake to
regard sentiment as merely something,
which if INDUCED has tendency to tempt
to idle and useless contemplation or retro
sturdness of necessary endeavor and dilut
ing the capacity for national achievement.
The elements which make up the senti-
ment of people should not be counted as
amiable weaknesses because they are not at
ui times noisy and turbulent. The gentle
ness and loveliness of woman do not cause
us to forget that she can inspire man to
deeds of greatness and heroism; that as a
wife abe often makes mans career noble and
grand, and that as mother she builds and
| fashions in her sons the strong pillars of a
State. SO the sentiment of people which
in peace and contsntuent decks with flowers
the temple OF their rule may, in rage and
| fury, thunder at its foundations.
! 1t is because George Washington com
pie ely represented all the elements of
American sentiment, that every incident Of
his life from his childhood to his death, is
worth recaling-wLether it impressos the
young with the beauty and value of moral
traits, or whether it exhibits to the wisest
and oldest. example Of sublime accom-
| plishment and the highest possible public
service.
| beg you, therefore, to take with you
when you go forth to assume the obliga-
tiengs of American citizenship, one Of the
Dests gifts of your alma mater a strong
and abiding faith in the value and potency
of a good conscience and a pure heart.
Never yield one iota to those who teach that
these are weak and childish things. not
needed in the struggle of manhood with the
stern realities Of life. Interest yourselves in
public affairs duty of citizenship; but
DO not surrender your faith to those who
discredt and debase politics by scoiiin2 at
sentiment and principle, and whose poiti-
cal activity consists in attempts to gain
popular support by cunning devices and
shrewd manipulation
In conclusion, let me remind you that we
may all properly learn the lesson appro-
pirate to Washington's birthday if will; and
that we shall fortify ourselves against the
danger of falling short in the discharge of
any duty pertaining to citizenship, If being
thoroughly imbued with true American
sentiment and the moral ideas which sup
port 1t, we are honestly true to ourselves.