New-York tribune., 1901-02-23
AN ENGLISHMAN'S TRIBUTE
FREDERIC HARRISON PUTS WASHINGTON
WITH ALFRED THE GREAT AND
SHAKESPEARE.

Chicago. Feb. a2-Banks, the Stock Exchange
Board of Trade railroad Offices and most or the
schools closed to-day in memory OF the birth
OF Washington. In the forenoon hVe thousand
school children gathered az the Auditorium. where
they listened 10 tributes the first President Of the
United States. Bishop Spaldns. OF Peoria. de-
lvered an eloquent address on patriotism and char
acter.
In the afternoon several thousand persons gath
cred al the Auditorium. where. under the auspices
OF the Union League Club. they were addressed by
Frederic Harrison. the English author and philo-
sophical critic. on George Washington"
Frederic Harrison spoke of George Washington
and the Republican Ideal" He said in part:
While washington's memory is revered by the
civilized world in Europe. il is nowhere held in
espeeai affection as With the b people whSm ION he he d M
right minded Englishmen now feel that his work
nation: whilst his noble character and unsulIied
career a soldier. as statesman as patriot. add
ton is as much one Of our great English heroes as
Alfred the Great or Shakespeare ia one Of yours
common prerogatives of our blood And as the
our two peoples being other than independent
nations to-day We have nothing but honor for the
hero who achieved the happy and inevitable sep
His mistaken devotion 70 right. his, perfect jus
Of honor will ever place him above even the best
Ii I G1erh @ stateStle y, Si'aT % rbiafs Of
STATE is the unfailing honor and guiisiess eandoT
foreign opponents.
After referring the problems now before this
Nation Mr.. Harrison continued:
All these questions are problems in the h social sl
To0f ar5 onxoIsv watchng the souton We wait
10 how vast democrats electorate can De
every service. even though the foremost be the
least conspicuous and the least ambitious We wait
gigantic corporations which have taken the place
OF feudai 6ar'ns ana royal ia1oges M m ,oS OF Ta USTn
ment Of the people, by me people ana througn the
OF ali these millions whose consent is never going
to be asked at all. When we turn in thought TO
the .deaI republic must have in our minds eye
the highest possible standard; and. with ideal
standards before Us no actual republic & that men men
1ection-no neither the Athens Of Percles; nor the
points OF likeness between them that certainly
am BY principle and by conviction Republican.
because the republic Is the inevitable and final
hsent citizenship II must dominate the future tor
the future society must be an industrial society
note Of the Tations 10 come Now industry is
free co-operation OF inteiIisent masses Of men.
working with goodwill 10 the common interest In
dustrial life ultimately eliminate every rem
nant Of privilege. Of caste. OF monopoly. OF pre-
rogative; Tor me more INDUSTRY becomes hghliy ii
aiSs out Sefore tbe sight ~ free industry Mitary
hieness. mastery blazoned on their medieval her
aldry. struggle for their ancient rank. but
industry will s!sy them in the end An industrial
WOrld-the world Of the future grows more and
more an industrial worlds a republican world.
And a republican world - in which the State
belongs % all. exists for all. and lives by the help
and goodwill ~ all.
Nav the spirit Of George Washington. the just.
the free the far sighted patriot inspire the peo-
pie OF this Commonwealth I'm all their problems OF
government guide then, in all the tasks they un-
dertake wise and prosperous ends; enable them
crown his work when. in the words of our Eng
lish historian. 'fFe founded a democratic Republic.
with shadow on II % military despotism
Celebrations also held AZ the University OF
Chicago and Northwestern University Many club
banquets held this evening prominent among
them being those OF the Marquette and Union
League clubs. the latter AZ the Auditorium