Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-23
PRINCETON IS NOW VARSITY
SloughS Off Sombre Shade of
College Grub.
GllITERlNG IN A NEW GLORY
The Sesqul-Centennial Annpersafyis Celebrated
With Impressive Exercises.
MANY DISTINGUISHED MEN PRESENT
President Cleveland's Speech on the occa
sion Abounded in Covert Attacks
Upon Mr.. Bryan and the Chicago
Platform-A Synopsis of It.
MANY DISTINGUISHED MEN PRESENT

Princeton, N. j., Oct. 22.-The sesqui-
centennial anniversary of the granting of
the first charter of the College of New
Jersey was celebrated this morning in
Alexander hall. This is anniversary day
proper in the celebration programme, and
many distinguished men who had been
unable to attend the other exercises of
the sesqui-centennial reported today. AL
exander hall was crowded to its utmost
capacity by those eager to do homage to
princeton university in the hour of her
glory, and also to hear the address of
President Cleveland
After the academic procession had filed
into the building prayer was offered by
the Rev. DR.. Theodore Cuyler of Brook
iyn. DR.. Patton, in making the announce
ment of the university title, spoke of the
pleasure 1t gave the trustees that no
change in the haracter of the college
had been made necessary in changing the
corporate name. He said:
From this moment what has hereto
Iore been known as the College of New
Jersey will be known in the future as
Princeton university"
After the cheers had subsided he in
yoked the blessing of God on the univer-
slty and on the men in charge of it's vari-
Gus departments. President Patton then
spoke of the success which has attended
the efforts towards increasing the endow-
ment of the university. Although the
complete list is not yet prepared, he an
nounced the founding of the Mccormick
professorship and also the partial endow
ment of the McCosh chair of philosophy.
The gift of 100000 for the library was
announced. but the name of the donor
is still withheld. Another gift of $250,000
Tor purpose not specified was also ac-
knowledged from an unknown source.
The total amount obtained up to the pres
ert was given as $1,353,00
The ceremony of comforting the degrees
on the sixty-five men elected for that
honor was next on the programme. 1t
was learned today that President Patton
desired to confer the degree of doctor of
laws upon Mr.. Cleveland, but the presi-
dert modestly declined the honor.
PRESIDENT Cleveland was then intro
duced, and took the platform amid tu-
mum of cheers and enthusiasm. No more
hearty welcome could possibly have been
accorded anyone than was given to Mr..
Cleveland. His opening paragraphs were
devoted to the subject of the advantages
of collegiate training to good citizen
ship. Its tendency, Mr.. Cleveland ar
gued, was to promote intelligent conser-
vatism.
He said the activity of our people and
their restless desire to gather to them
selves especial benefits and advantages
lead to the growth of an unconfessed ten
de3cy to regard their government as the
giver of private gifts, and to look upon
the agencies for it's administration as the
distributors of official places and prefer
ment. Those who in university or col
1ege have had an opportunity to study the
mission of our institution. and who in the
light OF history have learned the danger
to a people of their neglect of the pa
triotic care they owe the national life en-
trusted to their keeping, should be well
itted to constantly admonish their fel-
low citizens that the usefulness and
beneficience of their plan of government
can only be preserved through their un-
selfish and loving support, and their con-
tented Willingness to accept in full return
the peace, protection and opportunity
which 1t impartially bestows. Not more
surely do the rules of honesty and good
faith fix the standard of individual char
acter In a community than do these same
rules determine the character and stands
ing of a nation in the world of civiliza-
tion Neither the glitter of its power nor
the tinsel of its commercial prosperity
nor the gaudy show Of it's peoples wealth
can conceal the cankering rust OF ma
tional dishonesty and cover the meanness
of national bad faith. A constant stream
of thoughtful, educated men should come
from our universities and colleges
preaching national honor and integrity,
and teaching that a belief in the neces-
of God Is not born of superstition.
II do not forget the practical necessity
Of political parties nor do / deny their
desirability. recognize wholesome diff
ferences of opinion touching legitimate
governmental policies, and would by no
means control or limit the utmost free
dom In their discussion. I have only at
tempted to suggest the important pa
triotic service which our institutions Of
higher education and their graduates are
a H.. - AwxI~ T..
forcement of those immutable truths and
fundamental principles which are related
to our national condition, but should
never be dragged into the field of politi-
cal strife, nor impressed into the service
of partisan contention.
When the excitement of party warfare
presses dangerously near our national
safeguards, would have the intelligent
conservatism of our universities and col
leges warn the contestants In impressive
tones against the perils of a breach i'm
possible to repair.
When popular discomfort and passion
are stimulated by the arts of designing
partisans to pitch perilously near to
class hatred or sectional anger, / would
have our universities and colleges sound
the alarm In the name of American
brotherhood and fraternal dependence.
When the attempt Is made to delude
the people into the belief that their suf-
frages can change the operation of nat
ura1s laws, / would have our universities
and colleges proclaim that those laws are
memorable and far removed from poiiti-
cal control.
When selfish interest seeks undue pri-
vate benefit through governmental aid,
and public places are claimed as rewards
of party service. I would have our uni
versities and colleges persuade the peo-
pie to REIMBURSEMENT of the demand
for party spoils and exhort them to q dis
interested and patriotic love Of their gov
ernment for its own sake, and because in
its true adjustment and unperverted
operation 1t secures to every citizen his
Just share of the safety and prosperity
Ii holds IN store for all. er
When a design is apparent to lure the
people from their honest thoughts and to
blind their eyes to the sad plight of ma
fional diahonor and bad faith I would