The San Francisco call., 1896-10-23
| who are themselves within the noble brother

should unalterably fix the BOUNDS OF whoie-
some popular discussion and the limits OF q
litical strife. The knowledge gained N our uni
versities and colleges wound be sadly dencleht
II its benefciarles were unable TO recoenlZe
and point out to tneir felow-ciuzens tnese
truths and natural laws and TO teacn the mis-
chievous futility of their non-obseryanee or
attempted violation.
The activity OF our people and their restless
desire 10 gather to themselves especial Dene-
fits and advantages lead TO the growth OF an
unconfessed tendency to regard their Govern
ment as the giver OF private gifts, ana 10 LOOK
upon the agencies 1or Its adminstrd10nf d prnfer ss
ment. Those who in university or cnuege
have had an opportunity to STUDY the MISSION
of our institutions, and who IN the llgnt OF
history have reasoned the dangers 10 peoPie
OF their neglect OF the patriotic care they owe
the National life entrusted to their keeping,
should be well fitted to constantly aCmonlsn
their fellow citizens that the usefulness ana
beneflcence of their plan OF government can
only be preserved through their unselfish ana
LOVING support, aod their contented VIKING
ness to accept in full return the peace, protec-
ton and opportunity which it impartially be-
Stows.
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 standing OF
nation III the world OF civilization. Neither
the glitter OF its power nor the nnse! OF It's
commercial prosperity, nor the gaudy snow OF
its peoples wealth can conceal the cankerlng
rust of national dishonesty and cover the
meanness of national bad faith. A constant
sIream of thoughtful men should come from
our universities and colleges preaching ma
uonal honor and integrity and teaching that
a belief IN the necessity OF national obedience
10 the laws of God is not born OF supersutlon
do not forget the practical necessity of po-
litical parties, nor do DENY their desirability.
l recognize wholesome differences OF opinion
touching legitimate governmental policies
and would by means control or limit the
utmost freedom in their discussion. 1 have
only attempted TO suggest the important
patriotic service which onr institutions OF
higher education and their graduates are fitted
to render TO our people In the enforcement OF
the immutable truths and fundamental pr1n-
ciples which are related to our National con-
dition, but should never be dragged into the
fields of political strife nor Impressed into the
service of partisan contention. When the ex-
citement OF party warfare presses dangerously
near our National safeguards, / would have
the intelligent conservatism of our universe
ties and colleges warn the contestants in i'm
pressiye tones against the perils OF breach
impossibleto repair.
When a popular discontent and passion are
stimulated by the arts of designin partisans
TO a pitch perllously near 10 class hatred or
sectional anger, would have our universities
and colleges sound the alarm in the name OF
brotherhood and fraternal dependence.
When the attempt is made to delude the
people into the belief that their sufferings
can change the operation of natural laws, L
would have our universities and colleges pro-
claim that those laws are inexorable and far
removed from political control.
When selfish interest seeks undue private
benefit through governmental mid and public
places are claimed as rewards OF party service,
l would have our universities and colleges
persuade the people TO relinquish the demand
for party spoils and exert them TO dislnter-
ested and patriotic love of their Government
for its own sake, and because in its true ad-
justment and unperverted operation 1t Sc
cures to every citizen his just share OF the
safety and prosperity 1t holos in store for all.
When design is apparent to blind the peo-
pies eyes to the sad plight OF National dis
honor and bad faith, ! would have Princeton
University, panoplied in her patriotic tradi-
tons and glorious memories and joined by all
the other universities and colleges OF our land,
cry out against the inf1ictlon of this treacner-
Gus and fatal wound
would have the influence of these institu-
tions on the side of religion ana morality.
would have those they send out among the
people ashamed 10 acknowledge God and to
proclaim his interposition in the affairs OF
men, enioining such obedience to his laws as
makes manifest the path of National perpetu-
ity and prosperity. l hasten to coneede the
good already accomplished by our educated
men in puri wing and steadying political SEN
timent, but l hope l may be allowed 10 1nti-
mate my belief that their work IN these direc-
tions Will be easier and more useful II 1t were
less spasmodic and occasional
The disposition of our people is such that
while they may be inclined 10 distrust those
who only on few occasions come among
them from exclusivenesS savoring OF as
sumed superiority they readily listen to those
who exhibit real fellows hip and friendly
and habitual interest in all that concerns
the common welfare. Such condition of in
timacy would, believe, not only improve the
general political atmosphere, but would vastly
increase the influence of our universities end
colleges in their efforts 10 prevent popular de-
luslons, or correct them before they reach an
acute or dangerous stage. am certain, there
fore, that a more constant and active partici-
patton in political affairs on the part of our
men of education would be OF the gre atest
possible value to the country.
1t is exceedingly unfortunate that politics
should be regarded in any quarter as an I'M
clean thing, TO be avoided by those claiming
to be educated or respectable. 1t would be
strange, indeed, if anything related to the
administration OF our Government or the wei
fare of our Nation should be essentially de-
grading. l believe 1T is not a superstitious
sentiment that leads to the conviction that
God has watched over our National life from
its beginning. Who will say that the things
worthy of Gods regard and fostering care are
unworthy OF the touch of the @isest and best
of menG
would have those sent out by our univer-
sites and colleges not only the counselors of
their fellow-countrymen, but the tribunes of
the people, fully appreeiating every condition
that presses upon their daily lie, sympathetic
in every untoward situation, quick and earnest
i'll every effort to advance their happiness and
welfare, and prompt and sturdy in the de-
fense of IL their rights.
have but imperfectly expressed the
thoughts to which l have not been able to
deny utterance on an occasion SO full of glad
significance and so pervaded by the at
mOSp0ere OF p6lTlOllc 6SplfdllOu. bUIu Ol
these surroundings the hope cannot be vain
that the time is at hand when all our country
men will more deeply appreciate the bless
ings of American citizenship, when their dis
interested love of their Government will be
uuickened, when fanaticism and passion shall
be banished from the field of politics, and
when all our people, discarding every differ
ence of condition or opportunity, will be seen
under the banner of American brotherhood,
marching steadily and unfalteringly on to-
ward the bright heights of our National des-
tiny.
After the formal exercises of the se7qui-
centennial were over reception was ten
dered to President and Mrs. Cleveland at
Prospect, and over thousand of the
alumni and guests of the university en-
ioyed the privilege of taking the Presi-
dent by the hand.
At o'clock the President and party
we're escorted to the station by the Phila-
delphia troops, when the train TO which
was attached the Presidents private car
left for Washington.
In the evening banquet was given to
the visiting delegates, prominent alumni