Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-07
TALKED To STUDENTS
Postmaster General Cortel-
you'S Address at Urbana, I'll.
AT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THIS AFTERNOON.
Essentials Of Liberal Education and
Good Citizenship Discussed-Re-
ferred to American Type.
AT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


In no direction has national progress
been more marked than in the wonderful
development of the colleges and universe
ties OF the west, and this is of course coin
cident with development in the secondary
schools which are the feeders of our insti-
buttons of higher education. This univer-
sty's growth has been typical of national
growth. From small beginnings it has
come, in comparatively short time, to a
position of power and influence but even
when small in numbers and in material
| equipment, it had like the mighty nation to
whose moral and intellectual advancema nt
| it is contributing, thednspiration of loyalty
| to a great cause
1.-THE closing years of the old and the
| opening years of the new century, in which
| this university has made its greatest prog
ress, have added to the worlds history
| some of its brightest pages. The historian
| of the future will recall these years as re-
markable in their encourag cement to in
! ventive genius; in their contributions to
knowledge. and in their recognition of the
| value of education in national development.
| But he will, / am sure, regard of even
greater moment the impetus which they
| have given. with the increasingly potential
influence of the press. to the awakening of
| the public conscience to the needs and
dangers that confront not only govern
ments of the old world. founded upon the
the government of that republic among
whose basic principles individual liberty
| and equality of opportunity under the law,
for all its citizens.
'Washington saw with clear vision the
vital part education must play in the life
| of the new republic. His letters and public
papers give frequent expression to the nee s.
| sity for sound learning. and you will all re-
call his final admonition in his memorable
farewell address:
".PromSte as an object of primary i'm
portance institutions for the general diff
fusion of knowledge. In proportion the
structure of a government gives force to
public opinion, it is essential that public
opinion should be enlightened
Essentials of Liberal Education.
This institution furnishes many of the
essentials of a liberal education. The infiu-
ence of such a school is incalculable. The
right kind of education teaches us how to
use what we know and how to find what we
wish to know. 1t gives US ideals of private
and public virtue and the incentive to fol-
low them 1t fosters good Judgment and
sound discretion. 1t distinguishes between
the real and the sham. 1t sheds It's clear
light into the earth's dark places. 1t leads
us out of bgotry and intolerance and points
the way to broader sympathies and fuller
regard for the rights of others
"Our modern educational system is be-
coming more rational. 1t takes account OF
actual needs it deals less with the theo-
retical and more with the practical. II
| looks to the development of character as
we'll as to the ACQUISITION of knowledge Ii
makes the experience of the past serve the
pllrposes of the present. 1t aims TO eoucdt e
the student not alone as an lndlVlduai' ~.
as an integral part of the body poiltlc.
anticipates his responsibilities TO the stare
and prepares him to meet them
"In education we need to simphiy poIn as
to subjects and as to methods. Your
grouping Of related subjects IN dlstlhct
~, hot
a certain noint when the school attempts
much it accomplishes little. Fewer stud,
les and more study is good WatchWoro
for the rational education.
sT Ongratulate the young women OF tHe
graduating classes that they are leaving
this institution at a time when, as peo-
ME we are giving a broader scope ana d
greater recognition TO the work ana lnnu-
ence of women. We recognize everywhere
their faith their sacrifice and their roy
atty Every onward step IN the Worid >
progress has had the inspiration OF thelr
devoted service. The self-retlance that is
encouraged by the life here need not mean
the sacrifice of charms of manner or sraces
OF accomplishment; growth IN knoWIedse oi
current events. interest IN worthy uhueI
takinss participation in Wholesome enter
Drises need not warp or harden woman S
nature Under right auspices they broaden
and brighten her life to the beneht OF her-
self and those who come WITHIN the rahSe
Of her influence But all her activities
should be subjected to the supreme test
are they consistent with the highest inter-
ests of the American home? Every system
of education that is worthy OF encourage
ment keeps that end constantly in view,
for the home is the very heart of the ma
tion and it must beat true if we are to
realize to the full the possibilities OF our
national life
An Enlightened Citizenship.
seThe educational institutions of the land
contrihpte TO an enlightened citizenship,
and the nations demand much of the men
and women of education. Their opportuni-
ties have been great; their contributions to
the public veal should be proportionately
great They must take their opportunities
serve not only their own. but the general
good. In this era of discussion, important
public questions are constantly before the
people for their consideration and judg-
ment. The making of books goes on with
ever-inCreasing output; newspapers and
magazines, libraries and other sources of
information are adding enormously to the
sum of human knowledge 1t is the day of
the widest diffusion of public intelligence.
1t is, on the other hand. unfortunately
time when along with the mature consid-
Grafton and careful deliberation accorded to
subjects of large moment, there is much
that is hasty and superficial in public COM
ment.
Growth under these conditions has
brought forward for solution many prob
lens that will tax the wisdom, fortitude
and devotion of our people But there is
no occasion for pessimism in dealing with
these problems. Public discussion is the
healthful sign of public interest. Some of
these problems are new. Some are the
old old questions relating TO economic pol
icies and matters of internal government.
1.-THE new problems are the very natural
results of increase in territory, population
and material prosperity. We have had
great problems before and have solved
them rightly-that is the American way Of
solving a problem. We must approach
these new problems in the same spirit with
which we approached and successfully
solved those which have gone into history
1.-THE domestic questions that confront u.s.
having to do with our new possessions, the
treatment OF great commercial and indus
trial combinations the regulation Of i'm
migration Improvement in political meth
DDS. the necessity for greater honesty and
efficiency in government, whether munic-
ipal, state or national, and the international
question of our relations with the other
powers of earth are problems with which
the representatives of the people are now
dealing and In which every citizen has d.
reetly or indirectly concern,
Some features OF ctr attitude toward
these problems are unfortunate. neplora-
BILE rs are certain tendencies In eur conf
mercial aud industrial affairs. In etiuca-
tional methods In moral And ethical teach
ing-they furnish ne warrant Tor sweeping