Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-23

have Princeton university, panoplied in
her patriotic traditions and glorious
memories, and Joined by all the other uni
versities and colleges of our land, cry out
against the infiction of this treacherous
and fatal wound
l 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, en-
joining such obedience to his laws as
makes manifest the path of national per-
petuity and prosperity.
hasten to concede the good already ac-
complished by our educated men in puri-
flying and steadying political sentiment;
but hope I may be allowed to intimate
my belief that their work in these direc-
tions would 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 to distrust
those who only on rare occasions come
among them from an exclusiveness
savoring of assumed superiority, they
readily listen to those who exhibit real
fellowship and a friendly and habitual
interest in all that concerns the common
welfare. Such a condition of intimacy
would 1 believe, not only improve the
general political atmosphere, but would
vastly increase the influence of our uni
versities and colleges in their efforts to
prevent popular delusions or correct them
before they reach an acute and danger
Gus stage.
| am certain, therefore, that a more
constant and active participation in po-
lttical affairs on the part of our men of
education would be of the greatest posi-
BILE value to our country. 1t is exceed
ingly unfortunate that politics should be
regarded in any quarter as an uncean
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 welfare of our nation should be es-
sentially degrading. l believe it is not
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 un-
worthy of the touch of the wisest and
best of men.
I would have those sent out by our
universities and colleges not only the
counsel1ors of their fellow countrymen,
but the tribunes of the people-fully ap-
preciating every condition that presses
upon their daily life sympathetic in
every untoward situation, quick and
earnest in every effort to advance their
happiness and welfare and prompt and
sturdy in the defense of all their rights.
l have but imperfectly expressed the
thoughts to which 1 have not been able
of glad significance and so pervaded by
the atmosphere of patriotic aspiration.
Born of these surroundings, the hope
cannot be vain that the time Is at hand
when all our countrymen will more deep
ly appreciate the blessings of American
citizenship, when their disinterested love
of their government will be quickened,
when fanaticism and passion shall be
banished from the field of politics and
when all our people, discarding every diff
ference of condition or opportunity, will
be seen under the banner of American
brotherhood, marching steadily and un-
falteringly on towards the bright heights
of our national destiny.
At the conclusion of President C1eve-
lands address the audience Joined in the
singing of America" after which the
benediction was pronounced by Bishop
Henry Satterlee of Washington.
At the conclusion of the ceremonies
President Patton entertained at lunch
President and Mrs. Cleveland and other
invited guests, after which Mr.. and Mrs.
Cleveland held a reception until time to
take the train for Washington at s
o'clock.