Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-22


attack on public credit, but if ever the
temptation arises again let our people at
the outset Remember that the worst be-
cause the mpst inddious form of the dis
honest debtor is that man who would per-
suade him that it is anything but dishon-
est for him to repudiate his debts.
Promote Useful Institutions.
Finally, itais peculiarly appropriate when
have Come to this city as the guest of the
University of Pennsylvania, to quote
another of Washingtons maxims: Pro
mote, as an objectsof primary Importance,
institutions. fora The general diffusion of
knowledge. In proportion as the structure
OF a government asves force to public opin-
lon, 1t is essential that public opinion should
be enlightened"
Education may not make man a good
citizen, but most certainly ignorance tends
10 prevent his being good citizen Wash
lngton was far too much of a patriot had
far too much love for his fellow citizens
| to try to teach them that they could gov
ern themselves unless they could develop
a sound and enlightened public opinion.
NO nation can permanently retain free
government unless 1t can retain high
| average of citizenship; and there can be no
such nigh average of citizenship without
a high average of education, using the
word in its broadcast and truest sense to
include the things of the soul as well as
the things of the mind.
School education can never supplant or
take the place of self education, still less
can 1t in any way take the place of those
rugged and manly qualities which we group
together under the name of character; but
1t can be of enormous use in supplement-
ing both.
1t is a source Of just pride to every Amer
lean that our people have so consistently
acted In accordance with Washington's
principle of promoting institutions for the
diffusion of knowledge.
There is nothing dearer to our hearts
than our public school system. by which
A
one within our borders The higher educa-
| ton. such as is provided by the University
or pennsylvania and kindred bodies, not
only confers great benefits to those able
to take advantage of it, but entails upon
them corresponding duties
The Founders of the Nation.
The men who founded this nation had to
deal with theories of government and the
| fundamental principles of free institutions.
We are now concerned with different set
of questions, for the republic has been
firmly established. its principles thoroughly
tested and fully approved. To merely polit-
ical issues have succeeded those of grave
social and economic Importance, the solu-
ton of which demands the best efforts of
the best men.
We have a right to expect that wise
and leading part in the effort to attain
this solution will be taken by those who
have been exceptionally blessed in the mat
ter OF obtaining an education. That col
lege graduate is but poor creature who
does not feel when he has left college that
he has received something for which he
owes return. What he thus owes he can
as a rule only pay by the way he bears
himself throughout life.
1t is but occasionally that a college grad
uate can do much outright for his alma
mater; he can best repay her by living a
life that will reflect credit upon her, by
so carrying himself as a 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 to take the lead in striving to guide
his fellows Alright In the difficult task
which is set to of the twentieth century.
The problems before US today are very
complex, and are widely different from
those which the men of Washington's gen
Grafton had to face; but we can overcome
them surely, and we can overcome them
only, If we approach them in the
spirit which Washington and Washingtons
great supporters brought to bear upon the
problems Of their day-the spirit of sanity
and of courage, the spirit which combines
hard common sense with the Hottest
idealiSm.
Entertained at Luncheon.
Leaving the Academy of Music, the Presi-
dent was escorted to the armory of the
First Troop, where he was entertained at
luncheon. This is the first time in the his
tory of the troop that it has entertained
President of the United States. 1t ten
dered dinner to Washington September
IA, 1887, but-that was before he became
President.
The Presidents Departure.
President Roosevelt and party left here
at 7:40 o'clock this morAing for Phila-
delphia to attend the Washington's birth
day exercises at the University of Pennsyl-
n deliver address IL
dents and where the degree of doctor of
laws will be conferred on him. small
gathering was at the station to see the
President depart.