Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-23
+. AHEARTY WELCOME.
McKi .eY Pleased by the Greet
inz Of Collegians.
Addr SIS " the President Before the stu
denis of the University of Pennsyl
Vania on Washington.

Philadelphia, Feb. 22.-Over 1000 stu
dents assembled on the University of
Pennsylvania campus at $50 O'clock this
morning, and marched four abreast TO
the Academy of Music. where the eXer-
cises commemorative of Washington's
birthday were to be held.
The route was arranged so that the
procession should pass Mr.. Harrison's
home, where President Mckinley spent
the night, and the students there gave
a cheering welcome to the president.
The chief magistrate, when the head of
the long column reached the house, ap-
peared at the door, There, with barred
head, he smilingly bowed to the hum
dreds of under graduates in response to
their hearty college greeting. The col
umn marched in classes, and as each
| class reached the house, the members
shouted the college cry, Pennsylvania,
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania ending
with ''The president, the president, the
president"
The presidents face lighted up, and
betokened extreme pleasure at the en-
thusiastic and almost continuous shouts
of the collegians, the latter giving vent
to their voices as only large bodies of
collegians can. Every student in the
line also removed his hat while passing
the chief magistrate.
The academy was beautifully deco
rated. After the university boys had
again given the varsity cheer, wind
ing up with the presidents name, Pro
yost c. c. Harrison stepped to the front
of the stage and introduced the presi-
dent in brief address.
President Mckinley, after introducto-
ry remarks in reference to the long-es-
tablished custom of observing Washing
tons birthday at the University of
Pennsylvania, and to the fact that
Washington in 1888 had accepted the de-
gree of doctor of laws from the institu-
ton, said among other things:
From the hour when Washington de-
clared, in his Virginia home, that he
would raise a thousand men and equip
| them at his own expense to march to
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 We love to recall
his noble unselfishness, his heroic pur-
poses, the power of his magnificent per-
sonality, his glorious achievements for
mankind, and his stalwart unf1inching
devotion to independence, liberty and
union
IA STAKEHOLDER himself, he vet hated
| slavery, and provided in his will for the
emancipation of his slaves. Not a col
lege graduate, he was always enthusi-
astically the friend of education He
used every suitable occasion to impress
upon congress and the country the i'm
portance of high standard of general
education, and characterized the diffu-
sion of knowledge as the most essential
element of strength in the system of
free government
And how reYerent always was this
great man, how prompt and generous
his recognition of the guiding hand of
divine providence in establishing and
controlling the destinies of the colonies
and the republic. Again and again
in his talks, in his letters, in his state
papers and formal addresses-he re-
veals this side of his character, the
force of which we still feel and 1 trust
we always will.
Il have had popular satisfaction in the
| fact that Washington in those early
days, when engrossed with mighty gov
ernmental problems, did not forget his
| contributions for the education of the
| poor, and left in his will a bequest to be
! dedicated to free public instruction.
Nothing better tells the value he placed
upon knowledge as an essential to the
| highest and best citizenship.
From the day our flag was unfurled
! to the present hour no stain of just
obligation violated has yet tarnished
| the American name This must and
will be as true in the future as it has
| been in the past. There will be prophets
| of evil and false teachers. Some part
of the column may waver and wander
away from the standard, but there will
| ever rally around it a right majority to
preserve it stainless and in honor.
AT no point in his administration does
Washington appear in grander proper
tionS than when he enunciates his ideas
| in regard to the foreign policy of the
observe good faith and
justice toward all nations; cultivate
peace and harmony with all; religion
| and morality enjoin this conduct Can
| il be that good policy does not equally
| enjoin it? 1t will be worthy of a free,
| enlightened, and, at no distant period,
a great nation, to give to mankind the
magnanimous and too novel example
| of a people always guided by an exalted
justice and benevolence.
''We have every incentive to cherish
the memory and teachings of Wash
ington. His wisdom and foresight have
been confirmed and vindicated after
more than century of experience His
best eulogy is the work wrought, his
highest tribute is the great republic
which he and his compatriots founded
From four millions we have grown tC
more than seventy millions of people
while our progress in industry, learning
and the arts has been the wonder of the
world. What the future will be depends
upon ourselves, and that that future
will bring still greater blessings to a
free people, l cannot doubt. With edu-
cation and morality in their homes
| loyalty to the underlying principles OF
free government in their hearts, and
law and justice fostered and exempli-
fed by those intrusted with public adj
ministration, we will continue to enjoy
| the respect of mankind and the gracious
favor Of Almighty God. The priceless
opportunity is ours to demonstrate anew
| the enduring triumph of American
| civilization, and to help in the progress
and prosperity of the land we love"
The president, after the exercises were
over, was escorted to the university Ii
brary building by the mounted city
troop, where a reception and luncheon
were given in his honor.
! About 500 men were present, including
all Of the college faculty and trustees,
representatives of institutions Of learn
| ing in this and neighboring states, Off
cials of the CITY, state and national gov
ernment, officersof the United States ar
my and navy, and the Pennsylvania ma
tional guard, and distinguished business
and professional men Of Philadelphia
President Mckinley was escorted by