Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-23
AS A NATIONAL SAFEGUARD
President Cleveland Emphasizes the High
Mission of the Colleges,
HIS ADDRESS AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
Suggests that Institutions of Lcarns
ing Can Exert Wholesome In
nucncc In purifSing aud steady
Ing Political Sentiment.

weather again favored ITlnCetoH toudS auu
made the exercises of the sesqul-centennial
anniversary day doubly enjoyable. The
presence OF the president OF the United
States had the effect of increasing the al
ready large crowd in town, and Alexander
hall, In which the ceremonies OF the day
were held was packed almost to sufocation
when Rev. DIR. Theodore l.. Cuyler OF Brook
lyn began the exercises with a simple,
heartfelt prayer for the continuation TO
Princeton university OF the prosperity II
had enjoyed under the title of the College
of New Jersey.
Previous to the beginning of the cele-
bration the Philadelphia City troop assem-
bled at the home of President Patton, where
President Cleveland had been a guest over
night and escorted the head Of the nation
on foot through the university grounds to
Alexander hall. Mrs. Cleveland was driven
in an open carriage, under the escort or
Mrs. Patton, to the hall. The delegates rep
resenting institutions OF learning all over
the world and the faculty assembled at Mar
quand chapel. and, clad In their academic
gowns, made their Impressive march to
Alexander hall preceding President Cleve-
land. They occupied the same seats as
yesterday.
After DR.. Cuyler's prayer President Pat
ton made the formal announcement that
what was formerly the College OF New
jersey would hcnceforth and forever be
known as Princeton university. scene OF
wonderful enthusiasm greeted DR.. Patton's
words He then announced the endowment
fund received. amounting TO nearly $780,
000 not including the amounts contributed
fer Blair hall by John l. Blair of Blairs-
town, N. j. and the new library.
The ceremony of comforting the degrees
on the sixty-fve men elected for that honor
was next on the program. 1t was learned
today that President Patton desired to con-
fer the degree of doctor of laws upon Mr..
Cleveland, but the president modestly de-
cined the honor.
The degree OF doctor of laws was conferred
upon a large number Of European college
professors and scholars, including Karl
Brugmann, University of Leipsic; Edward
Dowden, Trinity college, Dublin Andrew
seth. University of Edinburgh; Goodwin
Smith, Toronto and Joseph j. Thompson
University of Cambridge. Among the
Americans similarly honored, are: James
b. Angel, University of Michigan; William
Gardner Hale, University Of Chicago; Will
liam T. Harris, United states commissioner
OF education; Joseph Leconte, University of
California and Seth Low, Columbia uni
versity, New York CITY, The degree Of
doctor OF divinity was conferred, among
others upon Rev. Morgan Dix New York:
Bishop John +. Hurst, Washington, ID. c.;
Rev s. j. Mcpherson, Chicago: Rev. s. ].
| Niccolls, st. Louis and Rev. Prof NJ II.
| Riddle Pittsburg Pa. Upon the following
among others, the degree Of doctor of letters
was conferred: Richard watsnn Glider,
| Augustus st. Gaudens, Horace Il. Scudder
and Charles Dudley Warner. =,
The honorary degree OF doctor OF laws
was also conferred in absentia, upon Lord
| Kelvin the Scottish naturalist, and Otto
Struve. formerly director of the observatory
| at Pulkowa. Russia.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S ADDRESS.
Next came the principal event of the day,
the address by the president OF the United
States Mr.. Cleveland spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and ladies' and Gentle
men: AS those in different occupations
and with different training each see most
plainly in the same landscape view those
features which are the riost nearly. re-
lated to their several habitual enviro2-
ments so i'm our contemplation OF an event
or an occasion each individual especially
observes and appreciates, In the light his
mode of thought supplies, such of its
features and incidents as are most In har-
mony with his mental situation.
Today while all of us warmly share the
general enthusiasm and felctation which
| perVade this aSscmD,age, | am sure Its
| various suggestions and meanings assume
IA prominence In our respective fields OF
| mental vision dependent upon their relation
| to our experience and condition. Those
charged with the management and direc-
| tion of the educational advantages OF this
| noble institution most plainly see, with well
| earned satisfaction. proofs of its growth
and usefulness and It's enhanced opportuni-
ties for doing good. Tine graduate Of
greater glory and prestige that have come
to his alma mater and the added honor
thence reflected upon him, while those still
within her student halls see most promi-
| nently the promise of an increased dignity
| ton university
But there are others here not of the
| family of Princeton. who see with an in
terest not to be outdone the signs of her
| triumphs on the fields OF higher education
and the part she has taken during her long
! betterment OF great people.
Among these ] take humble place; and
| as / yield to the influences of this occa-
| sion l cannot resist the train of thought
which especially reminds me of the prom.
| Use of national safety ana the guaranty OF
the permanence OF our free institutions
| which may and ought TO radiate from the
universities and colleges scattered through
, out our land.
obviously government resting upon the
| Will and universal suffrage of the people
| has no anchorage except In the peoples In
| tellgcncc. While the advantages Of coll
leelate education are by no means neces-
| graduate. found everywhere, cannot
smother his opportunities, to teach his fell
| low countrymen and influence them for
good, nor hide his talents in napkin with
| out recreancy TO trust.
care of numerous and widely varied Inter
| ests spirit of conservatism and liberation
| II absolutely essential; A collegiate, train
| tracting and misleading influences and a
| correct apprehension of the theories upon
| which our republic Is cstdbiished ought to
| constitute the college graduate like con-
| slant monitor, warning against popular
| rashness and excess.
| The character of our institutions and our
| national self-intercst require that feeling
! of sincere brotherhood ana disposition to
| unite In mutual ondcaVor should pervado
! our people. our scheme of government
| m its beginning was based upon this senti-
mont and It's interruption has never failed
| and can never fail to gricvously menace our
| national health. Who can better caution
| against passion and bitterness than those
| who know by thought and study their bane-
| fnl consequences and who are themselves
| within the noble brotherhood OF higher edu-
| cation?
| LIMITS OF POLITICAL STRIFE.
| There arc natural laws and economic
| and which should umalterably fix the
bounds of Who'll some popular discusslon and
| tho limits Of political strife. The knowl-
| edge gained In our universities and col
| ieges would bc sadly deficient II It's bene-
| iciaries were unable to recognize and point
| ont TO their fellow citizens these truths and
| natural laws, and to teach the InischieYous
| futi'ity of their non-obscryance or at
| tempted violation.
The activity OF ouI people and their rest
| less desire to gather 10 themselves especial
| benefits and advantages lead TO the growth
/ Of an uncontessed tendency to regard their
| government as the giver of private gifts
| and 10 look upon the agencies for It's ad-
| minlstration as the distributors of official
| places and pIefermcnt Those who In uni
| Yer8ity or college have haG an opportunity
| 10 study the mission Of our institutions
! and who In the light Of history hnyc learned
| the danger TO people of their neglect OF
laEaF laa isaNaH.