New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-21
SECRETARY HAY HONORED.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY CONFERS De
GREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS.
BISHOP sATTERLEE DELIVERS CONIMEMO-
RATION DAY ADDRESS ON ETHICS
AND AMERICAN CIVILIZATION"

RATION DAY ADDRESS ON ETHICS
AND AMERICAN CIVILIZATION"
Princeton, n. J.. Oct. 20 (speciaD.-The ex-
ercises concentrating the founding of the
College of New-Jersey one hundred and hfty-four
years ago were held this morning n Alexander
Hall. The academic procession of gowned fac
ulty members and trustees marshalled by Pro-
fessor Libbey, marched into the hall at 1870
o'clock taking the platform pews. The seats in
the Dit were reserved for townspeople and
guests, while the undergraduates occupied the
gallery. After organ recital by Harold Ma
son. OF Philadelphia, DR.. Henry van Dyke opened
the exercises with prayer. Immediately after
ward President Patton called the attention Of
the audience to the granite memorial tablet to
the memory Of Henry NJ. Alexander. The tablet.
recently erected by the family, was unveiled
this morning
DR.. Patton then introduced the speaker Of the
day, the Right Rev. Henry Y. Satterlee Bishop
of Washington. who delivered the commemora-
ton address on Ethics and American Civiliza-
ton Parts of Bishop satterlees discourse were
follows:
In the development of national life new
issues are constantly arising which disturb the
balance Of power between the tive parties, and,
sR4Gr {he s,3e II Il t toF the people
their votes when the one and wien the other is
to be made the dominating 5EliitIehce. This plan
of throwing the whole responsibility for the
duet Of government upon the people themselves
was sublime venture Of faith the part Of
our forefathers Was that faith misplaced?
W. H Lecky, authority all will recognize.
while he frankly confesses that most of the
evils Of popular voting and Of the Impotence Of
inexperienced dennocTacies have been STAYED of
by the safeguards provided in the Constitution
itself yet tnclines strongly TO the belief that
more harm than good in the history Of the
United States. While frankly acknowledge
the political corruptions which both he and Mr..
Bryce emphasize, in justice to our forefathers
We should remember how greatly the class Of
voters has altered since 11SI-
No statesman of that date could possibly have
fOreca 81 the age of manufactures the age Of the
steamship the railway and the telegraph. the
tide of immigration to shores the unex-
multiplication of offices and ofhceholders under
the Government, ana. as the result OF such
causes, the enormous increase of a new class OF
voters, some Of whom are neither agricuIturlsts
nor property owners; others of whom are for
eigners who have not had time 70 asslmilate
American ideas Of self-goVernrnent ana most VI
whom. because of their Ignorance and irresponsi-
bility, become an easy prey TO unscrupulous
political leaders The object of the Constitution
IS the personal and national welfare Of the peo-
pie. The object Of such political leaders has
come to be the possession of political power
Had the prophetic vision Of all this hoated be
fore the eyes Of the trainers Of the Constitution
they would have seen that their venture or Ialth
was far greater than they dreamed. W lille TINS
Constitution remains unchanged the character
of myriads of voters has entirely changed. In
deed, the aim Of the Constitution IS so hlgn
above that of present political parties so differ
ent from the spirit OF selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT III
most Of those elected to governmental offices,
that the wonder IS how our country has neId To-
getber under the same Constitution in such
widely different political conditions as those or
1887 and 1900. In view Of such facts as these
Mr. Gladstone was not afraid to venture the as
sertion that. las far he can see. the Amer
can Constitution is the most wonderful work
ever struck off at given time by the brain ana
purpose Of man"
al fha hi
Of such conditions being lasting. TT is COM
nonpIace," he said. among observers Of our
political system that National politics are com
paratively pure. This is because only those
public spirited politicians who unselhsh
enough to represent the interests Of all chal-
lenge the allegiance of all. In America the
family is the unit Of civilization. The family IS
the backbone Of the Nation Immediately fol-
lowing the payment OF the war debt by the gen
Grafton which contracted it, itself an event IN
paraIleIed in the history Of the world, came the
silver question Sixteen to one became the
var cry the echo Of which is still heard in our
land to-day. See how each political campaign
has been in reality an educational campaign for
the whole country in National finance and how
so far the cause OF National honor and Ma
tionaI honesty has always triumphed Looking
back upon the past you will find that not only IN
finance but also IN all those great National is
/ sues IN Wnlcn great principle mas DSeh AL
voIved affecting the welfare of the whole COM
raonwealth the victory has been continuous
victory on the side Of right When Mr.. Lecky
and others affirm that with universal sui
frage has been a, failure point to these indis-
putable facts Of American history"
The speaker then presented the darker side
and its responsibilities He traced the growth
of the spoils system.
What is called the machine has become
the dominating influence in our political
life These machines have grown up as
poisonous parasites Of evil to suck the lire
blood OF our whole political system, pervert It's
objects by dishonesty stealing the offices OF our
Government and using them for selfish gam
What will be the verdict OF history upon KIND
OF theft like this? But there Il another crime
which is even more appalling, in the breaking
down Of public morality. The leaders Of the
machines act on the principle that every man
has his price, and appeal TO the selfish passions
OF men by a system OF brides To these political
demagogues the welfare OF the Nation is moth
ing the Constitution Is nothing, public trust Is
nothing the Government of the United States
Is nothing. bllt the Offices of that Government