The record-union., 1898-10-23
President Gilman Of the Johns Hop
kins University
Points Out the Difficulties Now Confronting
the United States.
Saws the Americans Have Reached
the Most Serious Problem in
Government Since the Consti-
ton of the United States Was
Adopted.

PRINCETON On. J), Oct. %
hundred and fifty-second anniversary
to-day with appropriate ceremonies. An
imposing acamedy procession in which
exPresident Cleveland, A.
Taylor Payne, William A. Sloane and
other men of national reputation, pass
ed from the library to Alexander Hall,
where the exercises were held.
The ceremonies We're very simple.
President Patton introduced as the
guest of honor President Gilman of
Johns Hopkins University, who ad-
dressed the assembly on the theme
Books and Politics" He said:
Il am not an imperialist, an expan-
sionist, nor jingo. l belong to a class
of citizens who dread revolution, trust
experience, and are established by in
heritance, training and reflection in the
belief that freedom of this country from
foreign entanglements has secured it's
peace and plenty, and is the basis of
its hope and faith. I feel now as 1 felt
in June, that it is safer to walk in the
footsteps Of the fathers than to enter
upon the emblazoned paths of the for
est, which lead We know not where
Nevertheless, is it not apparent that
the events of 1898, following in quick
succession, like the bombs from the
turrets of a battleship, have changed
the outlook? If public opinion. mani
fest by the newspapers, expressed by
speeches, pamphlets and resolutions and
presently to be formulated by Congress.
demands that our acquisitions remain
in our possession, the Americans have
reached the most. serious difficulty in
government that has arisen since the
Constitution of the United States was
dopted-reconstruct perhaps, ex-
cepted, though Of this I am not sure.
Such state of affairs was not foretold
by optimistic or pessimistic prophesy.
The political results as distinguished
from the military and naval have been
adverse to the wishes, arguments and
anticipations of conservative men. But
here we are, in circumstances unfore-
seen when the Constitution was adopt
ed, when the farewell address was writ
ten, or when the Monroe doctrine was
announced, or even in May, 1898, at
the declaration Of war with Spain.
Whatever we may think of the an
nexat tion Of Hawaii, or of the value of
Porto Rico, or of the wisdom of the
recent war or it's necessity, or Of the
terms Of the protocol, here we are. face
to face with new problems, new respon-
slb1iitfes, new opportunities They are
not ghosts and specters which will van
1sh as We approach them; they are
giants, tough and grim, armed with
clubs, and full of deceit-with which we
shall have many a rude encounter be-
fore we prevail
For this state, of affairs we are
wholly unprepared. If it is true. as a
member Of the Cabinet has said. that
war came like a flash of lightning ont
Of clear sky and as the President af-
terward affirmed, that the storm broke
so suddenly that it was here almost he
fore we realized it, it is equally true
that the nation is not ready for the
new problems of civil government upon
which it is entering. Reduce these
problems to their lowest terms. Near
by Cuba, freed from the sovereigntv of
Spain, is ours for the moment by con-
quest, and yet it is not ready for self
nor will it be for long
time to come. Porto Rico and other
Spanish islands are ours by terms of
the protocol, and are equally unpre-
pared for republican suffrage In the
Pacific, Hawaii is ours by annexation:
an Island in the Ladrones is guaran-
teed to US by the protocol; we are in
possession of the harbor, bay and city
Of Manila, and with Germany and Eng
land we are joint protectors Of Samoa.
where Pago-Pago is already a naval
nor should we forget that
If none of these acquisitions had been
made our influence in the Pacific would
be still very great. Our merchants,
travellers, men of letters.
artists, scientists are bound to traverse
Oceanica. American influence is sure to
be felt in Australasia and Eastern Asia.
We once made a call upon Japan, and
behold the results
From this influence there is no es-
cape. The question is. how best to use
the advantages Of our position for the
good of mankind? The Chinese policy
is to remain shut up within a wall. repel
all assault and refrain from interference
with the affairs of other people. Shall
the Americans, among the opportuni-
ties that have been placed in their
hands, maintain a similar seclus1on. and
be contented with coaling stations. or
shall they establish themselves as a.
civilizing force in the Pacific?
THE free and enlarged exchange of
the products of one cline, or one State.
for those of another is among the high
est achievements of civilization. Com
merce has been the making of England
as truly as it was the making of Phoe-
nicia. international trade is the busi-
ness of the United States, by which our
own welfare and the welfare of all peo-
pie with whom We have to deal are pro-
NOTED. Let commerce be stopped. and
all the mechanism of modern society is
brought to silence.
History warns us that in our new
career we may anticipate perplexities,
embarrassments, blunders, an effect of
the principles of inefficient civil service.
the rivalries Of churches, the wasteful
and perhaps the fraudulent expenditure
of vast sums of money, attempts to
engraft the system of spoils on the un-
and unwary. I dread the
conflict Nevertheless, I believe that
the American people, through their err
rors, perplexities and sins, will rise to
the situation before them, and will sue
ceed in carrying to distant lands the