New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-02
WHAT WILL SAVE THE STA TIE.
OF CULTURE MUST PERVADE THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE

Chicago. April 1.-The Rev. Dr. Henry van Dyke
delivered address Democracy and Culture"
at the University of Chicago this evening. In
the course Of it he said:
= BY democracy We mean not fixed theory OF
mean a tendency, a spirit, current OF ideas and
aspirations II is a sense not of the actual equal;
equality ; n hope. 1t Is the endeavor to realize
this hope, not by the concentration of power IN
the hands Of few. but by the diffusion OF power
in the hands of the many We believe that democ-
rracy Is right that 1t will triumph In the en a.
that the magnificent experiment which is now III
progress in our country will result in splendid sue
But in our material prosperity. our, rapid ad;;
vance In mechanical inventions and the airs d,,O Oh
called creature comforts and in the conse-
qucnt good humor and self -compacency whGh pre-
OF our greatest pers. We are in danger OF making
too much OF these things and imagining that there
We are inclined to introduce Il believe in machin-
cry" as an article of creed. and TO suppose
fore the Judge of the Universe with new kind Of
sewing machine or an improved telephone or ora a
and received into the kingdom of heaven.
Thus it comes to pass that tone OF AIRY carr
are suffered TO fall into the hands Of small ana n
competent men or city governments scrimna
ton and almost without thought, the miscellaneous
hOTdes Of Who Are peuTeE but
there is a point at which II may break down ana
and Social dyspepsia are not already apparent
The CONVERSIONS Of true democracy is culture.
culture must begin and continue with fine dSre-
genial DISTINGUISHED; Its object Is to make the
Shoemaker so beyond his last, and the clerk beyond
his desk and the surveyor beyond his chain and
tho lawyer beyond his brief and the doctor beyond
his pres ,ripton ad the preacher beyond MS ser
What need at present IS not new Colleges with
power OF comforting degrees. but more power III, III
the existing colleges TO make men To this end let
but above all revival OF the creative ldeal, An1
Let every thing be done to bring together the, hlgh
primary school and the little red schoohouse school
in the harmony of this deal. The university snalI
only because II bears the clearest and most stead
fast witness that the end OF culture rs 10 craze
men who can see clearly imagine noDy ana 'h'nA
The forces that aggravate the evils of democracy
general INSTRUMENTATION with absurd comment the
c9rporaons ,nS1 Ge" ii" nnieal bosses who cap
italiZe their control OF votes and sell the stock 10
The highest bidder; the labor agtators who promote
Industry by stopping work: all persons and agencies
and institutions that find II to their interest," 10
dice and a blind thoughtless, sensa tional mode OF
life destructive powers threatening the weIiare
Against these forces of destruction there is only
safeguard. and that is the influence which men
Republic. What glorious time Is this for such
their country, We have advanced along the pain
way Of industrial prosperity ana miiarE Llun 1i
character Of the Republic must be pui 10 inc teSi
before the eyes of an attentive world. How Will
America meet her crisis OF success? WIN latuous
self-confdence? or with sober courage? 1t may be
that the great Republic has at last won the long,
coveted and boosted power 10 whip all creation. ~
But that is not the chief question OF to-day. The
chief question is Has she kept the power to con-
uuer and rule and guide herself?
/ do not enter now upon the controversy between
opposing policies: the continental policy under
which we have hitherto prospered. and the colonial
policy under which IT Is proposed henceforth TO
proceed But this I say: The present IS no time
10 follow destiny bndfold. The present Is no time
to discourage sober thought. to stife free discus
sion. or appeal 10 the passion and prejudice OF
the multitude.
I believe that democracy as il is embodied In
this Republic to the Christian religion. the
most precious possession Of mankind | believe
that it can be preserved only under the light and
leading Of true culture. which makes the dema-
gogue ridiculous the anarchist Loaf hsome the plu-
tocrat impotent and the autocrat impossible.
believe that the best culture IS that which makes
not selfish and critics. but and sober
patriots I believe that man has the right culture
unless he is Willing 10 put his clearer vision. his
lofter Imagination and his deeper thought at the
service Of his country and humanity. I believe IN
purified. by culture diffused God save the Statei