The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-23
MIR. CLEVELAND AT PRINCETON.
1000 People Hear His Address at
the University,


Princeton, N. j., Oct. 22-The first an
nual exercises in commemoration Of the
day when a charter was granted to the
college of New Jersey were held this af-
ternoon in Alexander hall. Two thousand
people were present on the occasion, which
was made one of signal importance by the
addresses of Grover Cleveland, ex-Presi-
dent of the United States. and Lord Alb
erdeen, governor general of Canada.
One hundred and fifty odd years ago the
province of New Jersey granted the col
lege, which afterwards bore its name, a
charter authorizing the beginning of the
institution of learning, which became
Princeton University last October, and the
exercises were for the two-fold purpose
Of celebrating the origin of the college of
New Jersey and its evolution to Prince
ton University.
Mr. Cleveland, in concluding his ad-
dress, said
Il will not close without more specific
reference to one particular condition of
American life which sadly needs the ac-
tive and persistent interpostlon of our
well constructed and well preserved self
made man. Evidence Is constantly accu-
mulating that at no point can he do more
vitality useful work than in the field of
politics. The fact that this word signify
ing the science of government and the
administration of public affairs is associa-
ted in the common mind with sharp ma
nipulation and smooth deceit, plainly
shows how badly it has been "soied with
all ignoble use,'' while the contempt with
which self seeking candidacy and party
subserviency, even in a canvass now pend
ing, speaks of disinterested citizens who
are organized to secure good government;
as "a modern school of doctrInaries'' and
as college professors" startlingly Illus
trates how confidently arrogant partisan
ship dares to insult thoughtful and intel
ligent citizenship. Since our hope of the
perpetual endurance of our government
as the source of priceless benefit to the
American people and as proof of mans
right and fitness to govern himself, must
rest upon the peoples intelligence and pa
triotism these should be carefully protect
ed against malign agencies which contin-
ually attempt to undermine them, and
should be constantly supported and rein
forced by the thoughtful, educated men
of the land. Already a dangerous advan-
tage has been gained by the forces of reck-
lessness and selishness, largely through
the indifference of those who should have
challenged their first advance, and now
when partisanship without giving
reasons assumes to lead, and hosts
without reason seem willing to follow; and
the servant of intelligence and patriots m,
proclaims itself their master, and at
tempts to bind them hand and foot, the
time has surely come when all the intelli-
gence and education of our land should
hear a call to duty. To say nothing of
actual danger to our institutions, all must
see that we cannot gain their most benefi-
cent results, if the best intelligence and
the most disinterested patriotism among
| our people either refuse to enter the field
of politics, or allow themselves to be driven
| from it. I am not condemning party allie
glance founded on reason and judgment.
Party men we may all well be- but only
with the reservation that thoughtful and
patriotic citizens We must be. In our pub
| lie life we may be sure that as a general
rule our servants and agents will be no bet
ter than the people who create them.
| They may be infinitely worse through the
| peoples neglect or betrayal. Therefore, no
true American should be willing to en-
danger the interests involved in his citi-
zenshlp, nor the pride which every good
man has in the maintenance before the
world of the high character of his govern
ment, by inaction or a careless indication
of his choice for those to be intrusted with
national affairs. If the popular will in
this regard should be voiced by the intelli-
gence and patriotism of our country
men, and If they should be alert and ex-
| acting III the enforcement OIL lQeH VIII,
| the danger of misgovernment and of a
Misrepresentation of our national char
| acter would pass away. A just people
| willing to concede equal rights and privi-
leges to every citizen would enforce JUS
| tice in their government; a frugal and
| economical people would command fru-
gality and economy in public administra-
ton; people who valued integrity and
morality would exact them in high places;
a people who-held sacred the honor of
their country would insist upon its scrupu-
lous protection and defense, and a people
who love peace would not again suffer
the humiliation of seeing dashed from
their proud grasp the almost ripened hope
of leadership among the nations of the
earth, in the high mission of driving out
the cruel barbarities of war by the advent
of the pacific methods of international ar
bitration. Happy is the land where ex-
amples of heroism and wise statesman
ship abound. but happier is the land where
the people rule; and fortunate above all
are these people when their government
is controlled watched and defended by the
virtue patriotism and intelligence of mil
| lions Of trulV self-made men"