The herald., 1896-10-23

tolerance is absolutely essential. Col
legiate training, the study of principle
unvexed by distracting and misleading
influences, and correct apprehension Of
theories on which our republic is estab-
lished, ought to constitute the college
graduates constant monitor, warning
against popular rashness and excess.
The character of our institutions and
our national self interest require a feel
ing of sincere brotherhood, and dis
position to unite in mutual endeavor
should pervade our people.
Our scheme of government in its be-
ginning was based upon this sentiment.
and it's interruption has never failed
our national health. Who can better
caution against local passion and Bit
terness than those who know by
thought and study their baneful con-
sequences, and who are themselves
within the noble brotherhood of higher
education?
There are natural laws and economic
truths which command implicit obedi-
ence, and which should unalterably fix
the bounds of wholesome popular dis
cussion and the limits of political strife.
knowledge gained in our universities
and colleges would be sadly deficient If
its beneficiaries were unable to recog
nize and point out to their fellow citi-
zens these truths and natural laws and
teach the mischeivous futility of their
observance or attempted violation.
The activity of our people and their
restless desire to gather to themselves
especial benefits and advantages lead
to a growth of unconfessed tendency
to regard their government as giver of
private gifts and look upon agencies
for its administration as a distributor
Of official place and preferment. Those
who. in university or college, have had
opportunity to study the mission of our
institutions, and who in the light of his
tory have learned the anger to the peo-
pie Of their neglect of the patriotic care
they owe to the national life intrusted to
their keeping, should. be we'll fitted to
constantly admonish their fellow citi-
zens that the usefulness and benef1ci-
ence Of their plan Of government can
only be preserved through their unset
fish and loving support and their con-
tented willingness to accept in full re-
turn the peace, protection and opportu-
nifty which 1t impartially bestows. Not
more surely do the rules of honesty and
good faith fix the standard of individ-
aul character in a community than do
these same rules determine the charac-
ter and standing of the nation in the
world Of civilization. Neither the gilt
ter of its power, nor the tinsel of its
commercial osperity, nor the gaudy
show of its peoples wealth can con-
ceal the cankering rust Of national dis
ronesty and cover the meanness of ma
tional bah faith. A constant stream Of
thoughtfdl, educated men should come
from our universities and colleges,
preaching national honor and integrity
and teaching that belief in the neces-
sity of political parties needs, nor do
/ deny their desirability. 4 x A..,a ~ -
I recognize the wholesome differences
Of opinion touching legitimate govern
mental policies, and would by no means
| control or limit the utmost freedom in
their discussion. I have only attempted
to suggest important patriotic services
which our institutions of higher educa-
tion and their graduates are fitted to
render our people in the enforcement
of those immutable truths and funda-
mental principles which are related to
our national condition, but should new
er be dragged into the field of political
strife nor impressed into the service
of partisan contention. When the ex-
citement of party warfare passes dan
gerously near our national safeguards,
l would have the intelligent conserva-
tism of our universities and colleges
warn the contestants in impressive
tones against the perils of the breach
of impossible repair.
When popular discomfort and passion
are stimulated by designing partisans
to pitch perilously near class hatred
or sectional anger. I would have our
universities and colleges sound the
alarm in the name Of American brother
hood and fraternai dependence. When
the attempt is made to delude the peo-
pie into the belief that their suffrages
can change the operation of natural
laws, would have our universities and
colleges proclaim that those laws are
inexorable and far removed from DO
litical control When selfish interest
seeks undue private benefit through gov
ernmental aid and public places are
claimed as reward of party service,
would have our universities and col
leges persuade the people to the redn-
| quishment Of the demand for party
| spoils and exhort them to a disinter-
| ment for its own sake and because in
| ested and patriotic love of their govern
| its true adjustment and unperverted
operation 1t secures to every citizen that
just share of safety and prosperity 1t
has in store for all. When the design
is to allure the people from honest
+ thoughts and blind their eyes to the sad
plight of national dishonor and bad
| faith, would have Princeton universi-
ty panoplied in her patriotic traditions
and glorious memories, and Joined by
all the other universities and colleges
Of our land, cry out against the inflic-
ton of this treacherous and fatal
wound. would have the influence of
these institutions on the side of religion
and morality.
would have those they send out among
the people not ashamed to acknowledge
God and proclaim his interposition in
the affairs of men, enjoining such inter-
probation Of his law as to make mani
fest the path Of national perpetuity and
prosperity. hasten to concede the good
already accomplished by our educated
men. purifying and steadying political
I,vrk 7 r H.