The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-23
PROUD DAY FOR PRINCETON.
THE UNIVERSITY CELEBR ATEs ITS
sESQ UI-CENTENNIAL.


Degree of Doctor of Laws.
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 are present to-day.
Alexander hall was crowded to its ut
most capacity by those eager to do hon.
age to Princeton University in the hour
of her glory, and also to hear the ad-
dress of President Cleveland.
After the academic procession had filed
into the building, prayer was offered by
the Rev. DR.. Theodore Cuyler of Brook
Ign. Or. Patton, in making the an
nouncement of the university title, spoke
of the pleasure it gave the trustees that
no change in the character of the college
had been made necessary in changing the
corporate name. He said: From this
moment, what has heretofore been known
as the College of New Jersey, will be
known in the future as Princeton Uni
versity'"
After the cheers had subsidized he invoked
the blessing of God on the university and
on the men in charge of its various depart
ments.
President Patton then spoke of the sue
cess which had attended the efforts to-
ward increasing the endowment of the
university. Although the complete list is
not yet prepared he announced the found
ing of the Mccormick professorship and
also the partial endowment 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 $250,00O for
purpose not specified was also acknowl-
edged from an unknown source. The total
amount obtained up to the present was
given as 81, 1853, 900.
The ceremony of comforting the degrees
| on the siXty-five men elected for that
honor was next on the programme. 1t was
learned to-day that President Patton de-
sired to confer the degree of doctor of laws
upon Mr.. Cleveland, but the President
modestly declined the honor.
President Cleveland was then introduced
and took the platform amid tumult of
cheers and enthusiasm No more hearty
| welcome could possibly have beeen accord
| ed anyone than was given to Mr.. Cleve-
| land. His opening paragraphs were devoted
| legiate training to good citizenship. Its
| tendency Mr.. Cleveland argued, was to
! promote intelligent conservatism.
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
! dency to regard their government as the
! givers Of private gifts, and to look upon
| the agencies for its administration as the
! distributors of official places and prefer
ment. Those who in university or college
| have had an opportunity to study the mis-
! sion of our institutions, and who in the
| light of history have learned the danger
to people of their neglect of the patriotic
care they owe the national life entrusted
| to their keeping, should be well fitted to
| constantly admonish their fellow citizens
! that the usefulness and benefeence of
| their plan of government can only be pre-
served through their unselfish and loving
support and their contented Willingness
! to accept in full return the peace, pro-
lection and opportunity which it impair
TALLY bestows.
mot more surely do the rules of hon
! esty and good faith fix the standard of in
dlvidual character in a community than
| do these same rules determine the char
| acter and standing of a nation in the
| world of civilization. Neither the glitter
of its power, nor the tinsel of its CONNER
cial prosperity, nor the gaudy show of its
peoples wealth can conceal the cankering
rust of national dishonesty, and cover the
meanness of national bad faith con-
slant stream of thoughtful educated men
should come from our universities and
| colleges preaching national honor and in
tegrity and teaching that a belief in the
necessity of natural obedience to the laws
of God is not born of superstition
81 do not forget the practical necessity
of political parties, nor do l deny their
desirability l recognize wholesome dir
ferences of opinion touching legitimate
governmental policies, and would by 10
means control or limit the utmost free
dom in their discussion. l have only at
tempted to suggest the important patri-
otto service which our institutions of
higher education and their graduates are
fitted to render to our people in the en-
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 theuexcitement 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 Dy the arts or designing
partisans TO pitch perilousy near to class
hatred or sectional anger, l would have
our universities and colleges sound the
alarm in the name of American brother
hood and fraternal dependence
when the attempt is made TO delude the
people 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 political control
when selfish interest seeks undue pri-
vate benefit through governmental aid and
public places are claimed as rewards Of
party service, / would have our univers-
titles and colleges persuade the people to
a REIMBURSEMENT Of the demand for party
spos, and exhort them to a disinterested
and patriotic love of thier government
for its own sake, and because in its true
adjustment and unperverted operation it
secures to every citizen his just share Of
the safety and prosperity 1t holds in store
for all.
when a design is apparent to lure the
people from their honest thoughts and to
blind their eyes to the sad plight of ma
tional dishonor and bad faith. l would
have Princeton University, panoplied in
her patriotic traditions and glorious men,
-.;ac M tofuad nv all the Othpr upivar-