The San Francisco call., 1905-02-23


OF our being drawn into foreign war. II we
let IL run down s. s certain as the day
between a probably disastrous foreign war or
peace kept on terms that imply national
OF peace and the cheapest insurance against
war. and those who in whatever capacity.
have helped TO build it UP during the past
twenty years have been in good faith observ-
ing and living up TO one OF the most inn
portant o. the principles which Washington
laid down FOR the guidance Of his countrynie n.
HIS STAND FOR JUSTICE.
Nor was Washington the only one of
tT1olsn oy support Of the navy. When An
oreS Jackson was in Congress he voted for
our regular navy; and he voted against the
grant OF money 10 pay our humiiistng tribute
20 TIE pirates Of the Barbary states. Old
HieSory vas a patriot through and through,
anu there was not an ounce of timidiiy in mis-
nature. and OF course ne felt only indignant
contempt for a policy which purchased an
q Just peace by showing we were as little
willing 10 submit 20 as to ini1ict aggression.
successors felt as he did about the navy had
II been built up instead Of being brought 10 d
standstill et would proba bly, never have been
necessary 20 fight the war Of 1872
Again Washington said: Give TO mankind
me example Of people always guided by an
eAaited gusuce and oenevoleHce-" This feel
ing can be shown alike by our dealings within
ana without our own borders. Taft and Wright
in the Philippines and Wood in Cuba have
shown US exactly how 10 practice this Justice
and benevolence in dealing with other peoples
justice ana benevolence which can be shown,
not by shirking our duty and abandoning to
self destruction those unit to govern them
selves, but by doing duty by staying with
them and teaching them how to govern them
selves. by uplifting them spiritually and ma
terially. Here at home We obeying this
maxim of Washington's just so far as we
help in every movement. whether undertaken
by the Government is and should be
more often the case, by voluntary action
among private citizens for the betterment of
people
HIS OTHER TEACHINGS.
Observe that Washington speaks both of
Justice and beneyolence, and that ne puts
must help our poorer brother. but above ALI
We must remember to-be Just: and the hrst
step toward securing justice is to treat every
special favor. but so far may be holding
open for him the door of opportunity SO that
reward may wait upon honest and intelligent
Again Washington said- Cherish public
creolt Just az the moment there is at
tack public credit but if ever the tempta-
iion arises again let our people at the outset
remember that the worst because the most
insidious form of the appeal that would make
a man a dishonest debtor is that which ner
suades him that it is anything but dishonest
for him to repudiate his debts
Finally. il is peculiarly appropriate when
have come TO this city as the guest of the
University OF Pennsylvania. TO quote another
% Wasnihgions maxiIns; Promote as an
obJeet OF primary Importance, institutions for
the general diffusion of knowledge. In pro-
portion as the structure of government gives
force TO public opinion it is essential that
public opinion should be enlightened Edu-
cation may not make a man a good citizen
but most certainly ignorance tends TO prevent
his being a good citizen. Washington was far
too much OF a patriot. had far too much love
for his fellow citizens, to Try TO teach them
that they could govern themselves unless they
could develop a sound and enlightened public
opinion. No nation can permanently retain
average of citizenship and there can be no
snch nigh average OF citizenship without
high average of education. using the word in
IT. broadest and truest sense to include the
things of the soul well a the things of
the mind.
VALUE OF EDUCATION.
School education can never supplant or take
the place of self-education still less can il
in any way take the place of those rugged
sno manly qualities which group together
under the name of Character: hut in can he
OF enormous use in suppIementine both u
as source OF just pride to every American
that our people have so consistently acted in
accordance with Washingtons principle of
promoting institutions for the diffusion of
knowledge There is nothing dearer to our
hearts than our public school system by
which free primary education is provided for
every one within our borders. The higher
education. such as is provided by the Uni
NeTSltg OF pennsylvania and kindred bodies. not
only confers great benefits to those able to
take advantage Of it, but entails upon them
corresponding duties
The men who founded this nation had to
zeal with theories OF government and the
W an n dooerred I,b 2, Ire institutions
questions, for the republic has been firmly
established its principles thoroughly tested
and fully approved To merely political issues
have succeeded those Of grave social and
economic importance, the solution of which
demands the best efforts of the best men. We
have right to expect that wise and leading
part in the effort to attain this solution will
be taken by those who have been exception
ally blessed in the matter OF obtaining an
education That college graduate is but a
poor creature who does not feel when he has
left college that he has received something
for which he owes a return. What he thus
owes he can as rule only pay by the way
he bears himself throughout life. 1t is but
casionally that college graduate do
much outright for his alma mater; he can
best repay her by living life that will re-
feet credit upon her by so CARRYING himself
g citizen that men shall see that the years
spent in training him have not been wasted.
The educated man is entitled to no special
privilege, save the inestimable privilege of
trying to show that his education enables him
10 take the lead in striving to guide his fell
lows Alright in the difficult task which is set
70 OF the twentieth century.
complex and are widely different from those
which the of Washingtons generation
had to face; but we can overcome them surely
and we can overcome them only, II we ap-
proach them in the spirit which Washington
and WaShington's s great supporters brought to
bear upon the problems OF their day-the spirit
Of sanity and of courage. the spirit which COM
bines hard common sense with the loftiest
idealism.
President Roosevelt was this after
noon entertained at luncheon by the
First Troop, Philadelphia City CavaI-
~.
Just before his train left, President
Roosevelt thanked the police officers
who escorted him and said:
You know 1 used to be on the force
myself"
He departed for Washington at 1928