The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-10-22

feeling of sincere brotherhood and a dis
| position to unite in mutual endeavor
should pervade our people. Our scheme of
Government in its beginning was based
upon this sentiment, and its interruption
has never failed and can never fail TO
| ~grievously menace our national health.
Who can better caution against passion
and bitterness than those who know by
thought and study their baneful conse-
quences and who are themselves within
the noble brotherhood of higher educa-
| ton?
There are natural laws and economic
truths which command implicit obedience,
and which should unalterably nix the
bounds of wholesome popular discussion,
and the limits of political strife. The
knowledge gained in our. universities and
| colleges would be sadly deficient if its
beneficiaries were unable to recognize and
point out to their fellow citizens these
truths and natural laws, and to teach the
| mischievous futility of their non-observ-
ance or attempted violation.
The activity of our people and their
restless desire to gather to themselves
| especial benefits and advantages lead to
IN SlOWl1 - Ola NfaoSAS
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
lege have had an opportunity to study
the mission of our Institutions, and who
in the light of history have learned the
danger to a people of their neglect of
41rn ro4rsnt;c oo,a than oura the national
life entrusted to their keeping, should be
well fitted to constantly admonish their
fellow citizens, that the usefulness and
beneicence of their plan of government
can only be preserved through their I'M
selfish and loving support, and their con-
tented willingness to accept in full return
the peace. protection and opportunity
which it impartially bestows.
Not more surely do the rulers of hon
esty and good faith fix the standard of
individual 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 COM
~rnercial prosperity, nor the gaudy show of
its peoples wealth. can conceal the cank-
ering rust OF national dishonesty, and
cover the LuedilIleSS OIL udtlOidI Ddu IdllH.
A constant stream of thoughtful, educat-
ed men should come from our universe
ties and colleges preaching national honor
and integrity, and teaching that a belief
in the necessity of national obedience to
the avs of Goo is not born of supersti-
ton.
I do not forget the practical necessity
of political parties nor do / deny their
desirability. l 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. l have only at
tempted to suggest the important patriot
ic service which our institutions of higher
education and their graduates are fitted
to render to our people, in the enforce
ment of those immutable truths and
FUNDAMENTAL 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 excitement of party warfare
presses dangerously near our national
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 a pitch p~erilously near to
class hatred or sectional anger. I 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
ural laws. l would have our universities
and colleges proclaim that these laws are
inexorabla and far removed from political
control.
When selfish interest seeks undue pri-
vate benefit through governmental aid,
and public places are claimed as re-
wards of party SERVICE would have our
universities and colleges persuade the
people to a REIMBURSEMENT of the demand
for party spoiis and exhort them to a
disinterested and patriotic love of their
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
it 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 said plight of ma
tional dishonor and bad faith. I would
have Princeton University, panoplied in
her patriotic traditions and glorious
memories. and Joined by all the other
universities and colleges of our land, cry
out against the infection of this treach-
erous and fatal wound.
| would have the influence of these in
stitutions on the side of religion and
morality. L would have those they send
out among the people not ashamed. to
acknowledge God, and to proclaim His
interposItion in the affairs of men enioin-
ing such obedience TO His laws as makes
manifest the path of national perpetu.ty
and prosperity.
| hasten TO concede the good already
accomplished by our educated men in
purifying and steadying political senfi-
ment; but hope ! may be allowed to in
innate my belief that their work in these
directions would be easier and more use
full If it were less spasmodic and occa-
s.onal. The disposition of our people is
such that while they may be inclined 10
d1strust those who only on rare occasions
come among them from an excIusiveness
saVoring of assumed superiority, they read
ily listen to those who exhibit a real fell
lowship and a friendly and habitual. in
terest IN all that concerns the common
welfare. Such a condition of intimacy
would. / believe, not only improve the
general political atmosphere. but would
vastly increase the influence of our uni
versities and colleges in their efforts In
prevent popular decisions or correct them
pefore they reach an acute and dangerous
stage.
| am certain, therefore. that a moro
constant and active participafion in noii-
ucal afairs on the part of our men of
education would be OF the greatest nnssi-
'.alue m nur country.
II IS exceedingly unfortunate that noa;-
TICS should be regarded in any quarter as
en- unciean thing to be avoided by those
claiming TO be educated or respeetable
II would be strange indeed if ANYTHING
related TO the administration of our Cow
rrmen or the welfare of orr nstion
should be essentially degrading. believe
it is not a superstitious sentiment tbat
0G IN inc Ut nNiaffan H. -