The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-21
ROOSEVELT TO STUDENTS.
HE TELLS CORNELL GRADUATES TO
ENTER POLITICAL LIFE

Warning Against the Learning That
RidicuIes American Thought and PoIi-
ucs-ColleEe-BrodM Men and Non Who
Amns Wealth - Duties of Citizenship.
ITHACA. June 20.-An address was delivered
by Gov. Roosevelt this morning before the
graduating class OF Cornell University. In
speakng OF college men in the recent war he
said he had nothing but praise to Offer
There were," he said. mot only men with
commissions, but also men who served in the
ranks who were anxious to show what every
American college student should DO anxious
to show. II he 10 worthy OF the name, and that
is that he is little better American than those
who have not had his opportunities. He claims
no superiority except the right to show his
superiority in his work"
Gov. Roosevelt then turned his attention to
the duties which would fall to the graduates OF
Cornell when they entered active political life,
which he urged them to do. He said that
the men. and especially those who had
had collegiate training, who avoided
American public and political life merely
because corruption existed there were
unworthy OF American citizenship He adj
vised the embers of the graduating class not
to feel that they had by means OF their col
lege training become members Of that clique
already too numerous. who thought it a mark
OF learning to criticse and rdicule American
see such faults as existed and to cndeavor to
remedy them.
In speaking OF college athletics, the Gov
ernor said: u" am an immense believer in col
leGe athletics. | believe that they serve a
most useful purpose. Not only are college ath-
letics good for the reason that they afford an
opportunity for play, but. m st important Of all.
they aid in the development Of that which both
the body and mind must subscrve and that is
the development Of character. That is
what counts 1t Is that multitude OF
qualities that we group together under
the name u character-couraGe. truth
fulness. sobriety. resolution. and perseverance:
an honest disnterestedness in dealing with
your follows and with the State and firm be-
lief In the ideals Of the country to which you
belong. These qualities make up character
and 1t is character that counts infinitely moro
comes to do the real work of the world that
work which Is really worth the doing
ha ar" the was as
follows: There has been "a good deal Of dis
fSaIsi%n 6s,e9ty am thankp to say that
statements OF certain gentlemen who have
amassod large fortunes. to the effect that
This country could better afford to lose every
MAJ, man in Il who has j, amassed large fortune
We can get on without the men OF i'm
mems mense f2rtn n9esa Sometimes Sometime we car. DO
could not DO the BEST best w "TR' p Sas BE
to be done save for the men who took the
chances offered to train themselves so that
must be done II We are to raise our civilization
ae TE purely material nasis ,
college graduates and tho part they must soo9
make them succeed. and said: III your college
training teaches you to think that you belong
to sh Of the 2S. 81 s5 a1d
men. then 1t is IAN unmitigated curse.
s and it turn. urn you out useless t9 youE
college turns you out feeling that YOU
are exactly Ike your fellows. save that
because you have had exceptional advantages.
4 i makes you realize more keenly than ever
your sense of duty to the State il II gives you a
higher purpose II it gives you kee9er tools
divert your mind from the fact that you oUe are et to
d9ne that T' Ills GSeT S,ss ha.
before" The Governor said that he was
firm in the belief that American colleges
graduates. would in the future rest a heavier
They must meet every emergency fearlcss!y
and respond TO every call OF their country
whether to perform the duties OF peace or OF
The address was warmly, received. and after
GOV, Roosevelt again addressed an audience
IN Ithaca this afternoon in the public square.
A throng of school children surrounded the ele-
waited stand and large part OF the address was
directed 10 Thorn In opening his address he
complmented the children upon their fine
appeara4ce and thanked them for their wei
come. In speaking OF the sight OF the
children Of the public schools marching under
the Stars and stripes; he remarked that
part Of The hrn 9% Go%f
system. and one that should he perpetpated.
great part Of Coy. Roosevelt's address
ship, Among all the requisites, such
speaker characterized courage as even more
important than any Of the others Without the
will impel man TO DO his duty even though
amount to little and Of themselves are
my voice has his share Of the work Of the State
upon him. and no difference how small tho
duty it is the part Of the true citizen to do it
GOV T drew from several pc
dotes Of the late war with Spain the thought
that even though the duty to be performed
involves the most arduous task Il Is the
e perform 1t honestly and courageously.
The Governor Stunned a discussion Of any
political or partisan issues. and his address
. was devoted primarily to the matter Of good
After the close Of the address the Governor
reviewed. the school children as they passed
Prof. B %, AMIR Iie Whee'er a Of 9orneii.
then accompanied Gov; Roosevelt to
special chr which conveyed the party to Cayuga
to the city at about o'clock In the evening
the Governor rested for a time and then met
others of his Ithaca friends