The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-24


Yet it's founding was attended, as Daniel
Webster said, amidst protracted struggles
reaching finally up To the Supreme Court
of the United States, but even at that
Girard's action served good purpose
for it gave TO the world n master effort in
eloquence by Webster in behalf of the
Christian ministry. Girard left tho bulk
of his fortune for the founding of this
institution for the instruction of orphan
boys In such lines of education as would
best fit ..them for useful careers, $50 that
on their entrance into active life they
may from inclination and habit ovince
benevolence toward their follow creatures
and love of truth. sobriety and indus
try" With this provision, however, there
was Incorporated In Girard's will n re
quirement that no ecclesiastic Of any sect
whatever shall ever bo admitted into tie
college for any purpose, oven as visitor.
Mr.. Girard declared In his will that hc
did not mean To cast any reflection upon
clergymen, but he thought the minds Of
the young should be kept clear from the
conflict OF sectarian controversies, and SO
he prohibited all forms of religious teach
ing within the college walls.
such clause would arouse resentment
in almost any community, but in Phil
adelphia, dSspite Girard's personal popu-
larity, 1t Is not difficult TO Imagine the
controversy 1t aroused 30 yenrs ago. He
brought suit to test the validity of tho
will. They failed To break IL, however,
though the arguments in court attracted
the widest attention. Webster's three
days speech before the Supreme Court
brought crowds TO tho court room, and IL
is said that he so affected justices and
spectators that tears were freely shed.
IL is we'll worth tho reading 60 years
aftcrward, while Philadelphia is just
honoring tho Institution that caused
Wehsters speech to glance ut some
portions Of the ADDRESS of the great ex-
FOUNDER OF our Constitution. l do not
believe any apology is needed for giving
space TO the paragraphs quoted below,
but rather for not printing the entire
speech
Mr. Webster, in his three days arraign-
ment OF Mr.. Girards will, based his
antagonism 20 it on two propositions-
first that it was no charity at all. because
Il was derogatory to tho Christian ro-
ligion land, second, that 10 was against the
public policy Of the state of Pennsylvania
in which state Christianity is declared to
bc tho law of the laud. Ho said, in part,
addressing the court:
81 take it upon myself to say that in no
country In the world, upon either couti-
nent, can there be found body of minis
ters OF The Gospel who perform SO much
service 10 man, in such full spirit of self
denial, as the ministers OF the GOSPEL in
the United States, OF all denominations.
] hope that our learned men have
done something for tho honor of our liter
eture abroad. / hope that tho courts of
justice AMI members of the bar Of this
country have done something To elevate
the character Of the profession OF tho Law.
j hope that the discussions IN Congress
have done something 20 ameliCrate the
condition OF the human race. 10 secure and
extend the great charter of human rights,
aud 20 strengthen and advance the great
principles OF human liberty. But con-
tend that in literary efforts, no adiudca-
lions, no constitutional discussions, moth
ing that has been done or said in favor Of
the great Interests of universal man, has
done this country moro credit at home and
abroad than the establishment of our body
Of cloryymen. Did man ever live that
had respect for the Christian religion.
and vet had no regard for any one oi its
ministers? Did that system of instruction
ever exist which denounced the whole
body OF Christian teachers and yet called
itself "A system Of Christianity
II never in the whole course Of my life
listened TO anything with more sincere
delight than 20 the remarks Of my learned
friend, who opened this cause ON the ma
turc and character OF true charity. He is
right when he speaks OF IL as an emRna-
tion from the Christian religion. He Is
right when he says that IL has its origin
in the word of God. He is right VIII, n he
says that IL was unknown throughout all
tie world till the first dawn of Christian
ity And maintain That In any InstI-
tuition for the instruction Of youth, where
the authority of God Is disowncd and the
duties OF Christianity deridcd and do
spised. there can no more be charity, true
charity. found 60 exist than evil can
spring out OF the Bible error out Of
truth, hatred and snimosity come forth
from the bosom ~ perfect love. No, sir;
no. sir II charity deny It's birth, II II
surn inf'dsl TO the great doctrines Of the