The Portland daily press., 1898-10-21
MAKING THE PRESIDENT LID.
Professor small's Address on behalf of the
University Congregation.

At the ceremony attending the conferr-
ing of the degree of LII. d. upon the
President by Chicago University Prof.
Albion W. Small, formerly President of
Colby University, made the convooation
address on behalf of the unlyersityfcon-
gregation as follows:
"The constitution of the United States
creates an elective chief maglstracy with
responsibilities SO large and with powers
SO ample that unfriendly critics have pro-
phes1ed either it's eventual subversion OF
democracy or it's collapse under the str IS
of exceptional events. Upon thssSspirit
and the intelligence of the chief magis-
trate depend, in large measure, the well
fare OF the individual citizens, theiI.tem-
per toward the government, the stability
OF our political system. and our status
among the nations. 1t is an open ques-
ton OF political theory whether the rare
powers of the American chief magfstracy
are on the whole an element of strength
or of weakness; whether they are safe
guard or a menace to the republic. .
During recent months the chief magis-
tracy of the United States has susta ned
a test in some respects more critical than
that which 1t endured in the person of
pesident Lincoln. So rapidly did the
lem attracted comparatively little popular
attention. Without implying judge.
ment upon debatable issues, 1T is a duty
and pivilege Tor the university to en-
phasize tie service which the present adj
ministration has rendered by sustaining
the prestage of the executive office.
"Sipce the successor of MIR. Lincoln de-
grodetl the Presidency to it's nadir, each
su bse uuent incum bent has contributed
somstning to confirm the office in the re-
spect of the Nation. There is not, nor is
there likely to be in the future, any serious
doubt that in this regard the present ad-
ministration has crowned the work OF Its
predecessors. The President has reflected
the composite character OF our citizenship
and of our political structure. He has
been mindful that the strength and the
wisdom and the loyalty OF the Nation are
not confined to geographical sections, TO
preferred occupations, to privileged classes
or to dominant party.
REPRESENTS SPIRIT OBJ AMERICA.
"The President has successfully repre-
sented that pacific and humane and
EQUITABLE spirit of the American people.
80 ourselves, If not to the rest of the
world. the events of the months just past
have brought renewed assurance that the
peaceful disposition and purpose of the
American people are essentially IN
changed If this were not the case,
national humiliation would be more ap-
propriate than national rejoicing.
"The President has worthily represent
ed the might of the Nation when he acted
as commander -in-chief of the army and
navy. We honor ourselves most in honor
ing the splendid sndeavors of our chief
magistrate to win triumph of humanity
through persistent exercise OF the omces
of peace. To have precipitated needless
war would have Eeen lasting national
infamy. We honor the President for
averting resort to arms until war was IN
evitable, and, because no longer avolda.
BILE, a solemn and sacred obligation. Thus
the chief magistrate has both represented
American character, and he has at the
same time established higher standards OF
public action, The executive office has
enormously increased Its title to popular
respect and has cerrespondingly augment
ed It's capacity for service in the state
SIN expressing to you, sir, our respect,
our gratitude, and our admiration, sne
members of the university believe that
we voice general judgment OF the citi-
liens of the republic. You have honored,
while you have represented, the Nation
by the careful poise, the cautious pru-
dence, the courageous patience, the con-
slant patriotism with which you have
discharged the peculiar task of your ad.
ministration. -
"We congratulate You. sir, upon this
secure result of your official lie. Your
exercise of the Presidential prerogative
has increased the prestige Of the chief
maqistraey. and exalted the standards to
which it must henceforward conform.
This result is both splendid national
achievement and glorious national.ideal.
This achievement and this ideal the uni
yersity would signalize and celebrate. ="