The times., 1899-05-16
THE PEOPLE ovER-EpucArEp
Mr. Huntington Thinks Questions of
Caste Arc Looming Up.

Caste Are Looming Up
San Francisco. May 15.-CoiIIs p. Hunt
ington's tenth annual banquet to officials
oil the Southern and Central Pacific Rail-
way Companies took place Saturday night
at the Huntington residence, this city. In
his speech Mr. Huntington declared that
the cause CT much of the distress in this
country was the over-education Of the
masses. Said he:
Il regret one tendency in our country.
admirable as are her institutions 1t is
almost heresy to say 1t. but do not mind
taking responsibility. refer to the in
crease Of higher education for the masses
The Angio-Saxon has easily outstrip-
ped all his competitors in those things
which make for the commercial growth
and success of nations. because he has been
above all other things practical. While
preparation for professional life requires
advanced knowledge. it seems to me that
the vast majority OF our young people
spend too many OF their vigorous years OF
youth inside school-rooms and not enough
in the practical work of life.
The years from fifteen 10 twenty-one
are immensely valuable. for they are years
OF keen observation. individuality and con-
hdence- In many cases. quite too many.
they are spent in examining the mind with
knowledge that is not likely to help a
young man in the work he is best fitted
to.
How many young men with college ed
ucations are standing about waiting for
something that will never come because
the work that lies nearest at hand Is not
to their liking? Somehow or other our
schools teach young people how to talk.
but do not teach them how to live. Peo-
pie need little. but want much
Sons of farmers are forsaking the fields
because the cities are more attractive to
them Slowly, but surely, there Il grow
ing up stronger wall of caste with good
honest labor one one side and friyiIous
gentiiity on the other. We seem to be fast
outgrowing those things which. when our
fathers lived. were called sterling quail
ties, but Eow are called fo,lies, or work
that gentlemen should not do. as though
all honest work was not honorable work
The young man of today has a field OF
action before him that is simply bewilder-
Ing In San Francisco We stand opposits
the open door OF the Orient. with all the
vast possibilities OF trade and commerce
implied therein. I do not see why we
should be any more afraid OF the China
man than the people of other countries
are, and they will welcome him as a fac
tor in their development
The outcome in the Philippines. 50 far
as control OF them by the United Stats Is
concerned, is not doubtful. When we have
once established peace there the next
question will be how to maintain It. Fill
pinos have shown US that they do not lack
Independence OF spirit and courage.
These are qualities which make good eili-
zenship in a republic Other qualities can
be cultivated. and. IL the present gsner-
alton should not prove susceptible to such
education, the next one may.
1t Will be our duty to give to the Fiji
! pinos fair representation with respect to
the establishment of a government on
those islands. In the meantime having
ourselves obtained through the exlgency
OF circumstances foothold in the Orient,
the American Republic must have voice
among the great nations which are sett inz
the future Of China. l beiisye we can, If
we will, prevent the disintegratiol OF that
magnificent old empire | believe il to be
in the interest OF the world that the unity
OF that empire be maintained I believe
her preservation and safety will depend
upon her commercial renovation, swinging
her doors wide open TO the commerce OF
the world. equal rights to all In such a
policy We should be her ally.
we want China TO give to US and to all
commercial privileges which obtain in
successful nations. and we ought to give
TO her in return what is due her under the
Golden Rule