The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-18
MONT ACUE
A DOCTOR
Degree ofDoctor ofLaws Con-
ferred on Our Governor.
WAS THE GUEST OF HONOR
vlrginia's Chief Executive Spoke on
Public Free School Education at
l55th Commencement of the
Brown University.
WAS THE GUEST OF HONOR

Especial to The hme..pispatch., !,


PROVIDENCE. r. l., June 17.-Gover-
nors Montague, of Virginia, and Garvin,
of Rhode Island, were to-day guests Of
honor at Brown University's one hum
dred and thirty-fifth commencement and
the alumni dinner. which followed It.
AT the dinner an additional gift Of 5000
by John D. Rockefeller. Jr., to complete
Rockefeller Hall; also gift of the young
Mr.. Rockefeller, was announced by Pres
1dent Faunce.
Marsden J. Perry, the richest man in
Rhode Island. gave to the University the
Sydney 8. Rider collections of historical
Rhode Island manuscripts, pamphlets and
books, valued at $4,000. Addresses were
made by President Faunce, Governor Gar
vim and virginia's Chief Executive. upon
whom the honorary degree OF L. d. was
THE GOVERNORS SPEECH.
Governor Montague said:
The economic and social condition Of the
people OF Virginia is quite the opposite
of what it was before the Civil War.
This change OF condition is consequent
upon the abolition Of slavery. for slavery
produced a social status that was for the
restriction rather than. the diffusion of
education. 1t is true that this institution
gave to my State class of men of cx-
traordinary character. culture and ca
.pacity for craftsmanship and command;
DuL no system OIL pElFtite pIllilsiiS ceiAStb
ition Is sufficient to support the great So
clal and institutional ideals which under
lie a democratic form of government.
Such ideals must be within the reach OF,
the many, rather than the few. and. there
fore, can be the result only of free pop
ular education. This form OF education,
at once broad and deep. inspires the
ideal and supports the energy which
unity the originativ,, and pTescrvstive
forces OF our republic.
With Plato and Aristotle one must
agree that the Ideal state must rest upon
soma scheme OF governmental educa-
tIon. Yet in the democracy. founded
upon equality of opportunity It Is inalyi,
dualism which constitutes tho Initiative
force of cvilization and this individual
ism itself is not infrequently invoked TO
combat the right Of government In the
domain of free education. But there is
inherently no antagonisn between pro-
inounced individuallsm and the educa-
ton of all tho children by the State. For
tho highest merit of indivldualism Is
the consciousness Of It's own limitations
must be reckoned with rather than dis
sertations. Ideals are often evolved by
trials experienced and conditions I'M
posed. And from these trials and condl-
tions robust individualism itself now
fully recognizes that the free common
school Is not a gift Of charity, but a
right OF freedom; and that this system
of public education does not impair, but
develops true individualism. the perfec-
t!on of which can alone make this a
government OF the people. by the people
and for the people.
MUST BE INTELLIGENT.
A government resting upon the consent
of the governed Of necessity requires
that such consent must be given In intel
ligence, In faith, and in patriotic affec-
ton. Tho government Is not the sove-
reign, but Itself rests upon a sovereign
power-the man; and the government Is
Just so good and Just SO great as the
man Is good and grent. So the demo-
cratic Ideal Is really tho freedom of
the individual md his opportunity for
fair rivalry for existence and progress
Such individualism Is the ideal of the
republic. Such ndividalisn was tho
maker, as 1t should be tho preserver. OF
our government, and 1t must tend always
to bring forth the best. the wisest and
the bravest man.
This ideal Virginia has embraced with
n faith, a courage and zeal worthy
OF the appreciation OF her sister States.
From fire and sword. from bereavement
and poverty, from dlsmemherment OF her
territory, from inefficient and vindictlvo
administration OF her government, Yir-
glnia has emerged to meet this ideal and
her duty.
Out of her destroyed values sho has
given to the energies and life Of the pub
lie free school system since 1870 fifty
millions of dollars, exclusive of generous
donations to her five colleges and her
University. And to-day, upon tho basis
of popular free school system and tho
growth of her people, hereditarly In
spred by the achievements of freedom.
the Commonwealth of Virginia. the first
permanent abiding place of the English
speaking race on this continent. is con-
seious OF the responsibility of govern
ment and patriotically determined to
make her contribution commensurate
with her love and duty to our common