Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-22
THE SELF-MADE MAN
Subject of Ex-President Cleveland's
Address at Princeton.
SCORES POLITICAL PARTISANS
Demagogues and DiIettanti Also
Objects OF His Scorn.
DEG r E E FOR ABE Il D Z E n

PRINCETON, N j., October 22-The
| one hundred ard fifty-irst birthday of
| Princeton UniverGity was celebrated here
| today. More than usual interest mani
| tested in the commemoration on account OF
| the presence of ex-President Grover Cleve-
| land and Lord Aberdeen, governor general
| OF Canada. The academic procession of
| Princeton trustees, faculty, alumni and I'M
| dergraduates formed at Marquand Chapel
| at O'Clock In and marched to Alexander
| Hall. The body was led by Mr.. Cleveland,
| the Earl of Aberdeen and President Patton.
| The exercises were opened by Dean Muir
ray with a prayer. Then Mr.. Cleveland
| read his address, which was on the SUBJ
ject of self-made men.
| Mr.. CievelanG's Speech.
| He said in part:
In n country like ours, where the people
| are its rulers. 1t is exceedingly unfortunate
| that there should be SO many blind follow
ers OF the lying partisan and the fatterinS
| cemaSoSUe- After what has been said it
| is probably unnecessary for me to state
| that l am attempting not only to present
the self-maCe man as he ought 10 exist,
but TO speak of him in his relations to the
common everyday life of our people, / am
considering my TOPIC, while 1 have con-
stantiy before my mind the mass Of our
American citizenship. My thought is that
| this mass and ought to lie greatly
| improved and made better and safer de-
positOry OF our trust in the perpat uity and
benehcence OF free government. 1 be-
ilSve this can be accomplished by adding
! to our citizenship more of the leaven Of
genuine. well-constructed and wel-eGuip-
| ped. se!f-rlade men. They must, OF course.
| be not only Well constructed and well
| equipped but they should be in sincere
sympathy with all that concerns the bet
torment OF the c. ndit!ons surrounding them
in ctter words, they should be actively
Useful.
| Utterly Useless Now.
of all useless men the most culpably
| useless are these who having educational
requirements and fitness for beneficial work
| DO no more tnan exploit their requirements
| in the false and unhealthy sociabil;ty CT
/ club LIFE or find in them only aids to the
selfish pleasure of constantly restless for
| eiSn travel and accessories to other profit
| less enjoyment Such waste Of qualifica-
| tons for valuable service is especially
tlaEleworthy in country like ours, where
so many national problems remain unsolved
and where vast development awaits the
most strenuous activity and effort l have
mentioned Il liberal education as most
important process in the construction OF
our ideal Seif-made man. | hardly need say
that this means something more than mere
book learning and that ii Includes the prac-
teal knowledge and information concern
ing men and things which so easily accom-
panies the knowledge of books, well as
the mental discipline ard orderly habit of
thought which systematic study begets.
Obviously this definition excludes that
measure of book learning barely sufficient
70 cia.E, Il diploma and used for no better
purpose than to decorate the ease of wealth
and ornament an inactive existence.
Importance of Education.
1 am conscious that l have done little
| mere than to touch upon the Importance of
a liberal education as essential to the
proper construction of our self-made man
l have Intentionally avoided a more ex-
tended discussion of proposition which it
seems to me is so plainly certain and yet
notwiths landing the potency of this factor,
and even though education may have con-
tr-buted to the construction all that it can
accomplish. the work. if still lacking moral
stamina and resistance, will be sad fail
IRE, If nothing worse. We have known of
those for whom education had done its
most and who yet did wrong continually.
espousing every vicious and unrighteous
cause and delightirg in the prostitution of
| their splendid powers and requirements to
| the betrayal and injury of every noble pur-
pose.
Lord Aberdeen HoEOrcd.
| At the conclusion of the ex-presidelt's
speech the degree of doctor of laws was
| conferred upon Lord Aberdeen. who then
addressed the asse:nb,age. III part as fol-
| lows: 1.-The compliment and mark of con-
| ildence winch you nave now bestowed upon
me is deeply appreciated. Who could fail
| to value the possession of an honorable
| mention with this university? 1t has
| noble and inspiring past, an Astounding
present, and rich. expanding prospect for
| tie future. 1t has grand roll of distn-
guished names upon its books. And If l
| feel that l have not yet achieved any
thing to merit such a distinction at your
hands. / can at least hope and endeavor
that no action of mine in the future shall
| lead you to recall your present mark of
good Will and approval. Indeed, as a mat
| ter of fact. perhaps you might find it a
| little difficult to remove the insignia from
my shoulders.
"Gentlenen, have spoken Of the past Of
| this university. Old traditions and history
| fame, which certainly always are capable
| of beneficial Use, seem especially 10 be
cherished in the case of university. They
| furnish that sense of responsibility which