The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-02
M'NNLEY ON WASHINGTON,
President Speaks to Students on the
Father of his Country.

Following is the address delivered by
President Mckinley before the Faculty
and students of the University of
Pennsylvania, on washington's birth
day:
Mr.. Provost, Officers and Students OF
the University of Pennsylvania,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
We celebrate here, as in every part Of
our country, the birthday of a great
patriot who assured the beginning of
great Nation. This day belongs to
patriotism and the people. But in a
certain sense the University of Penn
sylvania has special reasons for honor
ing the 22d of February. For over half
a century, with ever-increasing popa-
larity and public recognition, you have
observed the occasion, either as holi-
day or with patriotic exercises, partici-
pated in by Faculty and students. No
other American institution Of learning
has prouder title TO the veneration of
Washington's memory than this, whose
foundation was laid in Colonial days,
nearly fifty years before Pennsylvania
became a State; whose progress was
largely due to the activity Of Franklin
and other Jealous and far-seeing patri-
ots, and whose Trustees were on terms
Of sufficient intimacy with Washing
ton to congratulate him upon his elee-
ton to the Presidency and to receive
from him a notable reply which has
passed into the history of the times.
Washington, too, belonged to the
Brotherhood of the Alumni Of this in
stitution, having accepted the degree
of Doctor Of Laws conferred upon him
in 17s3-an honor doubtless the more
appreciated when he recalled the events
which gave him close and peculiar at
tachment TO the City of Philadelphia.
No wonder that your great Uniyersi-
ty has made the 22d Of February its
most impressive ceremonial and de-
voted its annual exercises to special
tributes to the memory of the first
President of the United States and the
patriotic themes which cluster thickly
about his life and work. rejoice with
you in the day. / rejoice, also, that
throughout this broad land the birth
day of the patriot leader is faithfully
observed and celebrated with an en-
thusiasm and earnestness which testify
to the virtue and gratitude of the
American people.
1t would not be possible in the COM
paratively short time to which these
exercises must to-day be limited TO fol-
low Washington in his long and dis
tinguished services at the head Of the
Army and as Chief Executive Of the
Government. My purpose is simply TO
call to your attention few points in
Washington's career which have singu-
larly impressed me and refer 10 some
passages in his writings that seem
peculiarly appropriate for the guidance
of the people, who, under our form of
government, have in their keeping the
well beingof the country.
In its entirety Washington's public
life is as familiar to the American
student as the history Of the United
States. They are associated in holy
and indissolubIe bonds. The one is in
complete without the other. Wash
ington's character and achievements
have been part of the schoolbooks of
the Nation for more than a century,
and have moved American youth and
American manhood to aspire to the
highest ideals Of responsible citizen
ship. With enduring fame as great
soldier, the world has recognized his
equal accomplishments in the paths OF
craftsmanship. AS soldier be was
peerIess in the times in which he elived,
and as a statesman his rank is fixed with
the most illustrious in any country or
in any age.
But with all our pride in Washing
ton, we not infrequently fail to give
him credit for his marvellous genius as
a constructive statesman. We are con-
stantIy in danger Of losing sight of the
sweep and clearness of his eomprehen-
sion, which accurately grasped the
problems If the remote future and
knew how TO formulate the best means
for their solution. 1t was committed
TO Washington to launch our Ship Of
State. He had neither precedent or
predecessor to help him. He welded
the scattered, and at times antagonist
ic Colonies into an indestrucuble Un-
ion and incuIcated the lesson of mutual
fortearance and frateraity which have
the States into still closer
bonds Of interest and sympathy.
From the hour when Washington de-
cIared in his Virginia home that he
would raise thousand men and equip |
them at his own expense to march 10
the defense of Boston, he became the
masterful spirit of the Continental
Army and the mightiest single factor
in the continents struggle for liberty
and Independence. Apparently with
out personsl ambition, spurning royal
honors when they were suggested to
him. he fulfilled still more glorious
destiny as the guiding force Of cisili-
zstion freer and mightier than the his
tory of man had ever known.
Thoagh Washington's exalted char
acser and the most striking acts Of his
brilliant record are too familiar to be /
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