The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-18
Mr.. CLEVELAND
on EDUCATION
THE Ex.PREsIDENT DISCUSSES
THE SUBJECT.
Address Before the Roman Catholic
College of st. Thomas at Villa
Nova-Expression Of His Appre-
citation of the Degree Conferred
on Him-Advice to Graduates.
By Exclusive Wire from The Associated Press.

b. Exclusive Wire from The Associated Press
Philadelphia, June 1.-THE degree or
doctor of jurisprudence was conferred
on ex-president Cleveland today at the
commencement exercises of the Angus
tinian college of st. Thomas at villa
Nova, suburb of this city. Mr. Cleve-
land, in accepting the honor. said:
Mr.. Presidents desire to express in
few words my appreciation OF the honor
Just conferred on me by the College of st
Thomas of villa Nova. 1T Is certainly
great qualification TO be deemed worthy OF
such notice by the governing body of an
institution of learning within whose walls
arc found In a marked degree oppoftuhi-
ties for a thorough. substantial and use
ful education This incident prominently
suggests to my mind the impeiious cdict
of education, which forbids the hndrance
or disturbance of the high mission by re-
ligious discrimination, social intolerance
or any of the barriers that to greater
,or less extent separate cviliz9d n'i-
manity. The republic of cducDion Is
based upon identical aim. equal rights IN
opportunity and impartialty in the dis
tribution of its rewards and honorS.
This 1t seems to me Is imprcssively Illus
trated when the severely Catholic College
of st. Thomas of Villa Nova bestows its
highest honorary degree upon one con-
nected with the management and holding
all honorary degree Ill tne severely 1Iot-
estant Princeton university.
The processes of education as they eX-
list in this country of ours have, or al
ways should have. in addition to other
characteristics, an especial harmony of
purpose and design, as they are related to
our government, and this should consti-
tutc between our institutions of learning
bond of close fraternity. Whatever
other objects and purposes may he ill.,
voved in educational efforts among us.
one of its constant and prominent aims
should be the cultivation and maintenance
of a high standard of American citizen
ship. When we recall the fact that the
bcneicence of our scheme of government
depends upon the virtue and education Of
the units of our citizenship it Is at once
apparent that an important and common
duty rests upon every agency that under
takes the instruction of the youth of our
land. 1t will be sad day for our nation
when the forces of education and the
teachers of moral living shall cease to
strive in unity to lcavcn the entire mass
of our citizenship or when their influence
in that direction shall be divided and cir
ctlmscrbed by religious and scctarian diff
fcrences
hope l may be allowed to say in con-
clusion a word to YOU who today COM
rletc your college course and receive from
those who have taught and guided you a
certificate of good citizenship. This is
indeed an honorable decoration and in
dorsement and one of which you may we'll
be proud. But it means more than that.
1t involves a solemn and exacting trust.
and it imparts a pledge on your part that
the education you have here received
shall neither be hid in a napkin nor held
tightly to your breast as q means OF self
gloritication and elf-enjoymcnt Your
graduation is merely the entrance upon
your life's work and your diplomas may
1aN Yrr~ dada Ia
by which you are invested by your alma
mater with the ownership and possession
of an outfit placed in your hands to the
end that you may fittingy discharge the
service to which you are bound. Selfish
ness in the use of education. and its sor-
did possession as an instrument of self
indulgence is as sinful and should be as
strongly resisted as any other form of
self1shncss. Some of YOU will find careers
in the duties and ministrat tions of your
church. and | suppose others will enter
the busy and bustling arena of worldly
activity. But whether in the church or
in the world. none of you will avoid the
compact with your fellow mon which
brings with 1t Il grave responsibility to
American citizenship-a responsibility in
finitely more grave and serious as your
Influence over others is increased by your
education or holy calling and more ever
present and cXactng as YOU appreciate
the obligations of the trust You have as
sumed. You may be sure that YOU will
fail to meet these obligations If you are
not constantly and solemnly impressed
with the conviction that your educational
advantages are only valuable as they
better fit YOU to do your duty to your
God. to your country and to your fellow
men.
The ceremony of comforting the de-
gree upon Mr.. Cleveland followed the
dedication of a new monastery, college
and chapel.
The Austrian ambassador. Ladislaus
Hengelmuller, Baron Won Hengerbar,
received the honorary degree of doctor
of philosophy. Honorary degrees were
also conferred as follows:
The Rev. William j. Hill, LII. d.,
rector of st. Paul's church. BROOKLYN,
and Judge Morgan j. OBrien, of New
York. PHI. D.; doctor of laws-former
Judge Joseph +. DAILY, of New York,
and Judge F.. 4. Fitzgerald, of New
York.
The exercises We're held in the coll
lese, Archbishop Ryan presiding. Mr..
and Mrs. Cleveland and the other dis
tlnguished guests took luncheon in the
COlloUn Dftor tho cnrnn1ppinq