The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-01
The Scholar in Politics.


university of the state of New York
the ether night Governor Black de-
livered an address upon Education
anJ the state" which abounded in tell
ing points. Its central theme was the
idea that the scholar, because of his
equipment, is speciality bound to serve
the state, to act as a citizen, to work
as a politician. The tenor of the ad-
dress is aptly condensed by the Troy
Times in these words:
The scholar, at home in the domain OF
ideas and with all his powers drilled to
theoliznE, is tempted to stand at one side
and keep up a running fire of comment
as the public procession passes by. But
the best comment upon the movements of
affairs comes from the inside and not
from the outside. The seer has his func-
tions, but tine steeple is too lofty an out
look for him. As Lowell taught, he must
go down among the people. Otherwise
he may get nothing but dizziness, and he
will! be too far away for the multitude to
hear his voice. Moreover, the scholar ac-
lively in political life learns the fratern-
ity that dispels distrust and that awakens
the liberation which IS the desert and the
| crying need of those who amid the darts
of criticism are honestly trying to do the
worlds work.
To revert, though, to the governors
| own words, let these citations testify
| to their dynamic directness: THE
larger forces that push, cut and con-
quer, that dispel darkness and build
| temples, and make the fondest dreams
| seem reasonable ambitions, must rest
upon the base of high and conscientious
scholarship. AS the world enlarges the
scholar should broaden with the rest.
He should grow to the size of a states
man and not shrink to the crippled
stature Of a critic. Evils exist in the
world, but men are very rare who have
not heard of that. The need is for cor
rection, and for aid to those who are
willing to attempt it. One fighter on
the spot is worth a thousand critics
at home.
IF the scholar would sometimes min
gle in the current of affairs, would
step down from the shades of the bank
and let that current touch him, he
would know after that that not every
man who enters that current goes over
| the dam. If he enters resolutely and
works well he may bring some rubbish
ashore, and even if the stream appears
not to have been improved much where
he stands, it will be clearer below. Al
those struggling for the same destina.
tion should be willing to reach it ever
by different roads, and each should re.
member that losing sight of another
who has proceeded by different patti
is not proof that that other has turnet
back. The same forces, aided by tot
Grafton, will win n thousand times ant
the next thousand times, governed 10y
distrust, will fail. Confidence is bette
than distrust, better as a weapon fo
you, bettor to encourage others WHIT
bear and realize responsibility"
Criticism, after ALL is helpful onl.
when just. The pessimist creates dis
comfort but naught else. One act tina
has a definite purpose is better thai
thousand growls which aim at evil
without attempting to cure them. TIL
scholar who is broad is tolerant. Tol
erance measures deeds not by Ideal
alone but with allowance for restrictiv
and hampering conditions. Often tn
most helpless doers are the most vol
uble takers as to how deeds should b
done. Affirmative endeavor may max
mistakes, but the fair rule is to weig
error and good against each other an
see which turns the balance. This tn
scholar in politics too often fails to dc
--------- --------
A table of the amounts appropriate
by the various states to popular edu
cation has been prepared and it show
! that Pennsylvania heads the list. Wei
that's position we needn't be ashame