Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-06-30

selected subject which is of burning
interest in these days of expansion agi-
tation-"The Elements of Strength Upon
Which the Permanence of the American
Republic Depends" The purpose was,
in view of these elements, to show the
need of Individual interest in the we'll
being of the republic. Reference was
made to the charges against democracy
as such and it was said that, although
these charges were drawn from the small
Greek republics of antiquity and the
Etolian republics of the Middle Ages,
they were directed against the American
republic in spite of the difference of time
and circumstance. Although there are
evidences of the presence of these faults
in the American republic, they are more
than counteracted by the real elements
of strength.
10 order to make clear what these ele-
ments of strength are, it was shown by a
brief sketch of the history of the theory
of the state that the American republic
was the result of worldwide move
ment extending over many centuries in
consequence of which it has the perma-
nence involved in the mission which it
has to fulfill.
1t was shown also that the present is
characterized by a desire to reorganlze
upon new basis or to do something no
one seems to know exactly what in
order that there may be true democracy
whose significance is brotherhood with
some approach to equality of opportuni-
ty, possession and social position. Con-
sequently the permanence and worth of
this republic will depend upon the
degree In which it succeeds in reaching
a practical solution of the problems and
difficulties of the present
In order that the republic may not fail
to reach such solution of present day
problems, the people need better un-
derstanding of what is required of a
government that is to fulfill the proper
function. These requirements are three :
namely, wise consideration of the
needs of the people; a legislative pro-
vision for the satisfaction of these needs
and the enforcement of the law enacted.
In reply to the objection that these re-
quirements cannot be met unless the
government is in the hands of the wisest
and best of the people. it was maintained
that this is to return to Plato's philosO-
phica governors and that the true course
is to educate the popular mind so that
the people will act wisely in view of
! their needs, which is the theory of
democracy. The process of the growth
of the public mind shows that it is by
| Of I'd Of ho 10,
dividual that the people must advance in
both intelligence and character. in con-
sequence of which the permanence of the
republic depends upon what the people
make of themselves. Thus the character
of the people was shown to be the real
basis of the republic and the people in
character must be not only intelligent
but moral and religious. 1t was main
tained that the outlook is bright for
there is an increasing degree of intelli
gence, morality and true religion despite
appearances to the contrary.
The American college-and Middlebury
college is an American college in the
best sense-has been fruitful source of
Intellectual, moral and religious char
acter and is therefore an important
factor in the security of the republic.
At the close of Professor TenBroeke's
address, which was followed attentively
and appreciatively by the audience. Ed
gar r. Brown, '93, of Newark, n. j.,
was called upon to read the poem of the
occasion. The verses, which will be
found on another page of this issue of
the REGISTER, are reminder of the CEN
tennial of next year and a call to duty in
that connection on all the alumni and
friends of Old Midd. Before the close of
the exercises the names of F. f. Sears
of Vergennes and Prof Ferrand, head
master of Newark On. j. academy,
were proposed for honorary membership
in the alumni association by Professor
TenBroeke and Mr.. Brown, respectively,
and both were elected.
The following alumni and former stu
dents were present; Orlando Wooster,
"A, Rutland, Vt; w. n. Bacon, '53,
Brdport; Thomas II. Mcleod. -, Mid
dlebury; f. G. Hunt, 81, New Haven
+. b. Sherman, go, Chicago, H.. c. y.
Thomas, 81, Bristol; 5. b. Pettengill,
'Gl, Grafton; d. X. Simonds. go, Man
chester; Ezra Brainerd, 6l, Middlebury ;
7. NJ. Chapman, '6G, Mlddlebury; j. NJ.
Slade, 'G7, Middlebury; NJ. f. Cady, go,
Chicago, H.; Webster Ingersoll, '73,
Ruford, n. Y; f. ID. Ellis, "a, Poult-
ney C. NJ. Wilds, 10, Middlebury; F.
A. Parker, 80, Whiting; G. f. Lathrop,
81, Sibley, Iowa; r. j. Barton, 81,
Salisbury; A. w. Varney. 'SG, Mankato,
Minn. ;J. A. Fletcher, 81, Middlebury
G. r. Wales, 81, Washington. ID. c.;
II. f. Owen, 80, Port Henry, n, Y; F.
II. Button, 80, Middlebury: f. C. Bry-
ant, 81, Mddlebury; f. II. Brown, 93
Newark, n. j.; G. +. Cady, '93, Benson
j. B. Donoway, '93, Middlebury; B. c.
Miner, '93, New Haven; G. l.. IIassel
) tine, '93, Bristol; f. L. Cushman, 90
Jersey City, n. j.; G. A. Adams, 90
Knoxville, III. &c. c. Douglass, '95, Wor