New-York tribune., 1899-06-21
THE GOVERNOR AT CORNELL.
ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF
THE UNIvERSITY-OTHE EXERCISES.

ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF
THE UNIVERsITY-OTHE EXERCISES.
Ithaca, June 20 (SpeciaD.-The class day
exercises OF the class Of 80 OF Cornell Uni
versity were held this morning at Armory Hall.
and on the campus in front Of Lincoln Hall.
An unusually large audience gathered in the
Armory, attracted especially by the presence Of
Governor Roosevelt
The exercises in the armory were opened with
prayer by the Rev. Professor Charles NJ. Tyler,
after which the class Grafton was delivered by
Mortimer Ostheimer. After the singing Of
America" Miss Georgianna Conrow read the
class poem The essay was then read by Miss
Edith Mae Bickham Walter Martin link then
delivered the memorial Grafton, after which the
president Of the class, Maxwell Mayhem Upson,
addressed the class.
Governor Roosevelt's address. which followed,
short but pithy, and made deep impress
sion upon his hearers. He spoke simply and
frankly. college man to another. In
opening his address the Governor related sew
eral anecdotes of the war. and in some Of them
referred to Cornell men In his command in the
kindliest terms. He then addressed himself
particularly to the graduating class, whose
members occupied reserved seats. His discourse
was repete with good advice to them and to all
college men Early in his address the Governor
men who had amassed great fortunes to the
effect that collegiate education is useless in the
world Of to-day He attacked this view We
hemently and said:
''Our country could better afford to lose all
Of the men who have amassed millions than to
lose one-haf Of its college-bred men, We
get along without of enormou. wealth, but
not without men Of brains"
COLLEGE MEN IN POLITICS.
Governor Roosevelt then discussed the de-
STABILITY of college-bred men making them
selves active In the political world He criti-
csed the position that because politics is cor
rupt good men should shun it holding that
the fact that dishonesty and corruption exist
should be an incentive to good men to participate
actively in removing the evils. The man who
holds aloof merely because OF corruption. he
said. is unworthy of the blessings OF American
citizenship man should be as ready to fight
for the best interests Of his country in time Of
peace as in time Of The duties Of peace
are none the less arduous than those of war,
and he is no thoroughly good American citizen
who shuns either.
Speaking directly to the graduating class the
Governor exhorted them TO do their share Of
the work of state He advised them that they
were no better than the masses who had not
had their advantages, except in so far as they
utilized their great advantages and proved
themselves Collegiate education ala not
make them too cultured and refined for the ac-
tive work Of life; II II did ii would be curse
rather than n blessing. Collegiate training or
fered nnumerabe advantages, but merely 1t OF
itself If without effort, would avail nothing
"Aboye ALL" said the Governor, DO not pc
come OF the class of so-called highly educated
and cultured. who sneer at American instltu-
tions and American customs. II you recognize
fault come forward and expose 1t and strive 10
remedy IT, Do not become one OF the class VINO
lose faith in the ability OF Americans TO govern
either themselves or their islanos.
APPEAL TO CORNELL MEN.
Governor Roosevelt remarked that he had not
intended 70 preach sermon 10 the graduating
class, but when he had for an audience those
who have in their hands so great a part Of the
destiny of our country he could not refrain
from preaching the doctrine OF good citizen
shin In an institution like Cornell University
II should be especially true, since IL was IN
measure under the care OF the state, that here.
II anywhere should good citizenship be striven
for. 49,
In closing Governor Roosevelt urged Cornells
claes OF 80 and all Cornell students within hear
ing of his voice to stand for what Is best ana
noble In public life. to respond to any call OF
their country, whether for performance OF the
duties Of peace war. and never to shun active
politics because OF fear OF corruption or OF per-
sonal abuse.
The omission Of the customary calling OF the
roll made the exercises In the armory much
less tedious than usual. After singing the
'Evening Song the class adjourned 10 the
Library entrance where the group picture was
taken thence to the west end or Boardnah
Hall, where the class ivy was planted the ora
ton being delivered by Frank Hanley Vedder
The rest OF the exercises took place In the LIN
coin Hall Grove. The history OF the class vas
sketched by Frederick Aldrich Cleveland aho
the future was prophssied BY Charles Cra"iofo