The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-03-23
HADLEY
| OF YALE
On Government BY Public
Sentiment
HE DEFINES
A GENTLEMAN
AS One Who Subordinates
His Convenience TO the
Good Of Others
A GENTLEMAN

BERKELEY, Cal, March 23.-"Charte
Day" was celebrated, the thirty-thirt
anniversary Of the founding Of th'
University Of California. The oratioi
was delivered by President Hadley o
Yale, whose subject was "Governmen
by Public Opinion"
President Hadley said in part "Ther'
are two theories Of democratic govern
ment; the individualistic, which relies
on the self interestoi the various citizens
acting independently, and the sociaIistic
which relies mainlyon the votes Of those
citizens acting az body. Neither has
proved wholly satisfactory.
Self interest being Inadequate support
for political and moral order and over
Iegialation an evil worse than that which
IL undertakes 10 cure, we must go back
10 the true principle Of self government
GOVERNMENT BASED ON PUB
Lie SENTIMENT. This is phrase
which is often used but generally misun-
derstood. Whenever a large number OF
people want a thing, we hear il said
that there is public sentiment in it's
favor. This IL not NECESSARILY true.
Even the fact that majority may be
willing TO vote for a measure does not
prove that II has this basis. The desire
may be the outcome Of widespread
personal interest.
Much, through not all Of the objec-
ton 10 trust il based ON the fact that
the critics do not own themselves at
the wrong end Of certain transactions
instead Of at the right end. Ifa man
really believes that a trust Ia bad thing
and would refuse 10 countenance its
pursuits, II he were their beneficiary, he
can call his opposition 10 them by the
honorable title Of public spirit. And II
may be added that most OF the actual re-.
form in trust abuses hes been thus made
from outside by the seli,respect Of their
owners.
The. social and political instinct Of
mankind ia so strong that people are
led under lie instruction to do things
which are against their own personal
convenience and even against their own
interest, In order 10 subserye the needs
Of the community. Public sentiment il
the name given 10 the feeling which
gives effect 10 these virtues Of patriotism.
"The question Is often asked, what
constitutes tho essential mark of a gen.
tleman, M distinct from the accidents OF
birth and clothing and Of speech. be-.
lieve II Ia 10 be- found In the readiness to
accept trusts, even when they are per.
sonally advantageous, the readiness
10 subordinate a mans own convent.
ence aud desires TO a social code. The
code may be good one or bad one but
It 10 an authority which the gentleman
accepts Of his own free will without
waiting for any one 10 compel. him 10
accept H.
To the extent that he does this, he not
1nly proves himself gentleman but
proves himself capable Of self govern
menL In tins sense | believe that the
great body OF the American people are
gentlemen and are therefore capable Of
'cli government. The possibility Of |
democracy is due 10 the
act that increased readiness 10 accept
'oli imposed burdens has gone hand-in-
land with increase OF commercial aud /
political power.
IL is for the young men who are just
growing mp 10 carry into the larger
sorlda OF business aud legislation THE |
SPIRIT WHICH WILL SUBORDI. |
NATE Personal CONVENIENCE !
TO COLLECTIVE HONoRs. In this |
Development Of the principle Of political
-rusteoship lies the hope Of the republic
'or L. future.