The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-01-31

PRINCETON, NJ J., Jan. so.--A few
days ago President francis L. Patton
announced that he would address the
undergraduate body to-day upon the
subject OF temperance. As a conse-
quence Marquand chapel was crowded
at s o'clock to-day. In the audience
were several slgners OF the Princeton
Inn liquor license, among them Grover
Cleveland, Prof, Charles Woodruff
Shields. whose resignation from the
Presbyterian church was caused by
criticism growing out OF his signing the
petition. and Prof. Charles Greene
lockwood. IS .ii5 v
DR.. Patton said: "Atthelr meeting In
October the attention OF the trustees
was turned to the recent agitation
which has SO seriously involved the
good name OF Princeton University A
committee was appointed to consider
the whole subject and report at a sup-
sequent meeting OF the trustees. That
report was presented and adopted at d
meeting held on the 23d OF December.
1t was resolved that a strict. literal and
impartial enforcementiof the existing
law respecting Intoxicating drinks be
enjoined upon the faculty, and that the
president of the university be asked to
make a statement to the students on the
whole question. *
II bear testimony to the high moral
tnpa n tba OF, N,f To- lr,r t,,or
know that they have been m!srepre-
sented and misunderstood. Their hilar-
lty, their bolsterous outbursts of e8u-
berance. their songs, which often have
a moro bacchanallan sound than ]
would wish, and In some instances their
inexcusable acts Of wrongdo!ng. have
produced impressions which the facts
will not Justify; and they have on many
occasions been charged with drunken
ness for no other reason than that un-
der the Influence Of the }gregarious In
stinct which sometimes assumes an oil
most irrational mode OF expression, an
imal spirits have been allowed too much
freedom, and speech and action have
not been kept within those metes and
bounds which mature men in the busy
walks OF life are apt 10 associate with
sobrlety. 80 \ I: x IS sl.tis 81
But, there was never less reason for
adverse criticism Of Princeton than dur
ing the period In which it has been SO
unsparingly bestowed upon us. I have
taken. pains TO find out the truth, and
am still unshaken in my. conviction that
the direction Of diminished use of al
cohollc drinks. .. 5:5.4s :.
"Still. I must not be blind to. the fact,
and after. making all allowance for will
full Misrepresentation or mistake, I am
constrained to believe that there IS far
more of what is called moderate drink
Ing among us than the wisest and best
friends OF Princeton could wish, and
there are those among you who are put
ting their future in peril by the excess
i've use of intoxicating drink.
There Is nothing unnatural in the
desire OF the trustees for a vigilant en-
forcement OF whit has for many years
been the law Of the university in regard
10 alcoholic liquors. While am in full
sympathy with your feeling that the
university monis not to be treated as
though he were In a preparatory school.
I am ready to take my full share OF
responsibility for the report, which as
chairman of the committee dealing with
the question made to the board OF
trustees.
There are two classes of men whom
have particularly In mind: those who
have already fallen into intemperate
habits, and those who are In danger of
forming those habits. Drunkenness is
practically an objectionable sin in our
academic life. 1t must be understood
thata man cannot be guilty OF repeated
acts OF intoxication and continue In this
university II his ofrense is known to the
authorities. wish more particularly,
however, 10 say n kindly. word to those
who are understood to be moderate
drinkers. If any duty is intuitIvely
given US In consciousness It Is temper
ance.& 7 mean the duty Of self-control.
Let me caution you. then, against the
habits which put self-control in peril.''''