New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-30
AMERICAN MORALS.
PRESIDENT BALDWINS ADDRESS M
FORE THE SOCIAL SCIENCE
ASSOCIATION
EDUCATED INTO NEW BELIEFS BY RECENT HE
ToRY-sECRETARY ROOTS REPORT

EDUCATED INTO NEW BELIEFS BY RECENT He
ToRy-sEcRETARY ROOTS REPORT.
Saratoga Springs " Y. Aug. 2s.-The American
Social Science Association began its general annuG
meeting here this evening. II will continue In ses
sion five days. The annual address was made BY
the president Simeon E. Baldwin. OF New-Haven
Conn. The presidents address The His
tory of American Morals" He said that what
peculiar in the seventeenth century can't
from New-England. The Old Tsstament dominated
that peoples conception OF God and rule Of duty
Their early literature OF creeds and SER
mons I; intolerant and provincial. The cigh
tenth century brought IN better. but not on,
more pure. II revolutionary free. patriotic
The American newspaper was invented-our frs
real contribution TO the literature Of the world
That became a OF men and manners. We
entered the nineteenth century IN the position OF
nouveau richie. Concerning the Indian question. h
said:
do not think that the Americans; as people
can fairly be charged with any lack OF moralit!
from the beginning this day. They bought thei'
land instead of selling IT: they offered them ecu
cation; they built them churches. They were tn
stronger and the wiser and the weaker race has
fallen away before them. That was inevitable.
The fall Of slavery thus described:
1t IS true that the war begun nor ever
waged to suppress slavery But IL Is true ais
ha az saw 'ha the 81 many OF 'svs sh
North holy war fSm h h 9D'f freedom. Doc q
every American. white or black.
So the destruction of the Maine was not thi
the cause 1t waked the sentiment Of y,ng.sncs
which had to be appeased. Popular feeling givef
thr NE to var ana shapes us eh9s ,,,r. rsh,,x
that II was not responsible for the sin OF s.aVery
cO on itself that slavery was an nhertanc,
from the past. FOR which the present generet ,
meant either anarchy or negro supremacy. and
that the only rule Of safety was to LEI things 90
that Of the South. one Of expeiiency
Passing TO the factory system he said:
He who spends his life By factory bench. q
whom We call an operative oftener than man, u
in grave danger Of regarding himself as little oui
a mechanical appliance. and hardly thinking
character and reputation. Temptations come &c
him that are unknown 10 the farmer consp'cunw
mutual dependence Of the operatives in factory
each useless without the rest--throws them netu'
rally into ombinations in trades-unons and lodge
rooms. and sets up new ethical standard
What is morality" the speaker said. toward
the conclusion OF hts address. III II be conformity
the standards of conduct prescribed by what for
the time being Is the ruling sentiment OF the COM
munity the age Of the Puritans moral: but
II was not so with that Of the Revolution or OF the
Civil War. How has It been with ourselves 10
these days Of trial Of great deeds and new am
hitions Of National extension by conquest OF the
excitement OF glorious victory in new fields? we
have been educating ourselves into new belefs
We are possessed ty lntfn-ruFNn ny tHrfu' wv
believe that country is not measured by the
I breadth o the contin We believe that the
Islands that fringe its coasts and those refnotei
still which In unfriendy hands might threaten 10
security may rightfully occasion offers. he In
corporated into the United States We believe that
our people have duties OF humanity toward other
peoples duties that may justify war 70 free
them by the strong hand. from bad or cruel gov
eminent We believe that the United states u
something more and greater than the States which
are united under us nag. and that the American
people may acquire and hold territory anywhere
upon the globe which IS needed 20 serve .neir navy
or promote their commerce ,,..
Are We the better morally. for these bellers!
Do they ma ke repardful or the rghts OF
others charitable in our construction cf
Others conduct. more heedfu OF our own!
tho Rev Frederick s Root. OF New-Yoik. the ger-
eral secretary ~ the association. submitted ms
annual report. I'm the course OF which he ernpns.
sized the fact that the mission or this particular
subjects pertaining social science. and that ia
traditional policy Is never 10 commit Itself 70 any
docrnatlc declaration OF belief in regard 70 TIE
questions which may come under its examination
with reference 10 the membership OF the assoc a
lion the secretary reported that since the asso6a.
ton last me-, ter have been added 10 the roll iS
rev names. thus making the total census a Mite
short Of four hundred. Among other recommenda
lions the secretary suggested that the society e.
tablish in New-York local habiiaton which might
ton He also recommended that greater eftort
should be made 70 invite distinguished speakers
from abroad men Ike Professor BRYCE. or Moncurn
n Conway DR. Ernest Engel. lie further eug-
gested that strong effort should be made 70 IN:
clude more women in the general membership OF
mot la