The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-23
won laurels, only due to integrity and

won laurels, only due to integrity and
force.
The time would fail me to cab the roll
OF men Of this university who have
served the nation on the field and in
the forum. But especially in diploma
tic service her sons have been conspl.
cuous. among whom | may mention one
dear to me. and dear TO all who know
him for every quality that adorns tho
scnolar and the man of letters. VINO
was twice summoned from h.a post ae
the head OF one OF our greatest univer-
stiles first TO become ambassador 70
China and afterwards to the Ottomau
empire.
The discipline OF this college has al
ways been favorable to an interest in
public alairs. The department of .rhe-
toric has not been an ornamental flour
ish but from the days when Tristan
Burgess, after being judge of the SUI
preme court OF Rhode Island, occupied
for thirteen years the chair of Oratory
and Bellies Letters and was then chosen
TO congress for FIVE successive terms,
where his convincing logic and per.
suasive eloduence placed him in the
highest ranks OF our legislators, bur
where also his fearlessness and inde-
pendence Won him A noble fame. | say
from that day to this, the value OF good
recognized here, and there Is nothing
more hopeful than the Increased inter-
est lately sprung 10 under brilliant
teachers and enthusiastic scholars.
Ii is for the alumni among whom
count myself humble. but loving
brother. to encourage the art or pub
lie speaking and writing. which scholar
ship alone cannot attain without prac-
tice and effort.
TDr-I- nD TOrC NEEnTn
/ know il may be said that dema-
gogues may make use of the tricks or
this art for corrupt and selfish purposes;
but on this very account we need true
oratory and true men TO Withstand
them. II we would not have our great
conventions stampeded by vulgar and
meretricions appeals. we must have
men who can meet such fiimsy and
wind blown harangues with the power
of truth, and the boldness of heroism.
Ii has sometimes been said that our
government is"a government by discus
sion" Let II be proved as IL has been in
the past that honest discussion is the
very means to bring out the reality of
truth. IL Is a saying of st. Augustine
that every other part OF the plough
may be perfect. but IL is only the share
that cleaves the ground" And we may
we'll say that let the equipment Of your
students be what IL may, in science. or
psychology, or classics. or whatever
you please. the highest influence cannon
be attained without the power OF ex-
preston both oral and written. And
here ] think is the true solution OF tho
jealousy that sometimes has existed be-
tween the advocates OF the classics and
the sciences. The great and admiral BILE
advance of science has In the last gen.
Grafton. somewhat owershsdowed the
value of immortal literature; but the
endeavor to present i'm persuasive forms
|. any kind OF truth. whether of matter
or Of mind must lead men
to higher respect for
those studies. fondly called in Scot
tish universities ''the humanities," Lat
in. Greek. rhetoric. poetry. the acquisi-
tion OF which is able TO humanize or
polish the mind. The study of Lam
guage, never neglected at Brown and OF
late attracting new attention. cannot
cease To be OF the highest import 10
men who would advance the cause OF
learning. For II is tic word, the use
OF the right word. for which none other
can be substituted that gives man
power over his fellows and makes his
thought live 10 after generations. This
is that which has distinguished the inn
mortal poets. for which Milton was
eminent. both in poetry and prose. the
unique word. that gave new life to Ian
Ruage. Dante has said that he never
suffered the emergencies OF rhythm to
turn him aside from the exact thing he
wished To say. but that he often had
compelled a wltd into his service and
filled IL with an amplor meaning than
II ever vet possessed.
The study of language. the practice of
oratory and debate. cultivated in
classes and sharpened bv contests at
home and abroad will Give larger
range to mems powers of thought and
feeling and rouse the whole mind 10
a stronger enthusiasm for every thing
worthv Of attainment
CHARACTER AND MORAL sENTI-
MENT.
II. my honored friends and brethren,
7 seem 10 any OF you 20 have been be-
trayed into too warm an advocacy OF
the value OF public speech or literary
gifts. let me not fail 60 add that these
can avail nothing I'm the development
OF high character without moral senti-
ment.
II In this which has beeR well called
the foundation OF culture
our people are learning more and
more Ina spite 90 ihe sballow aud con-
temptuous abuse sometimes thrown up.
on scrupulo,e integrity. that the char
acter which would command respect
and attain successful achievements
among men winning at length the
crown of an enduring fame. must be
founded upon true moral sentiment And
especially w public life. IN all that con-
siifrtcs h. sure defence Of nations IN
all fhaf "a N uninfsfor IA franemiffcd In