The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-02

OF the island. The laying down of arms
by the rebels in the vicinity Of Havana
Will begin today.
TAFT ADDRESSES STUDENTS.
The following is Secretary Tafts ad-
dress before the Havana university.
THE members OF the Latin race are
accustomed. and not without reason, 10
characterize us Anglo -Saxons as abrupt
and conceited i'm our view OF our power
OF pushing civilization. but those Of us
who have come closer TO Spanish civiliza-
tion have been impressed with the con-
sciousness that the Anglo -Saxons have
much TO learn from the intellectual, artis-
tic temperament. poetic imagery, high
ideals and courtesy Of the Latin and
Spanish races.
but the civilization of Spain and all
her institutions were founded on the idea
OF the control OF the state by one man or
few men. That idea has ceased TO nave
force. The Anglo Saxons have brought
10 the front the idea that people who
are sufficiently educated 10 know what
their interests are could more safely be
trusted 20 determine how those interests
should be preserved than one man or a
few men, and because In the develop
ment OF that idea we have the advantage
of 200 years education in self-govern-
ment.
1T has recently fallen TO the lot Of
the people OF the United States 10 aid
some countries who have not had that
experience in coming 10 the enjoyment or
the benefits OF popular government Inc
republic OF Cuba has progressed so rap
Idly i'm the last four years as almost TO
intoxicate the believers in popular gov
ernment II was like the growth OF a
tropical plant which needed cutting ~
order that the stalk might gain stiength.
1t is perhaps necessary that the Cuban
should be warned that the foundations OF
self government must be broad ana solid
rather than high and conspicuous. 1t is
h.. lad to nh
still sadder to President Roosevelt, who
is so Identified with her liberation.
1--WE are here only To help you. With
our arm under your arm we are lttlns
you again on the path OF wonderful prog
ress you have travelled. We shall, i am
confident be able 10 point with pride TO
the fact that the United States is not an
eploiting nation. but that she has such
deem sympathy with the progress OF pop
ular government as 10 be willing TO eN-
pend her blood and treasure in making
the spread of such government In the
ERPORS POINTED oUT.
"Your difficulty was that you were
brought UP under the 18th and 18TH cen
tury ideas OF government, ana were
taught to look 10 others for the responsi-
bility OF government. You exercised only
the function OF criticism, and most OF
your people. especially the educated ano
wealthy classes. trained themselves no.
the field OF political and governmental
matters.
~ venture the suggestion that IL the
other classes do not take more active
part, and insist upon exercising their in
fluence In politics, that the question then
naturally arises: What was the neces-
sity Of changing your form OF govern
ment at all?
'The THEORY of popular government is
that every class shall exercise decided
political influence, but II seems 10 me that
your ideals have been too high. An ideal
so high that II is beyond the reach OF re-
alizatlon Is not very useful. Soaring too
high is dangerous, and the higher you get
the more disastrous the fall.
THE hope of this country is in its edu-
Gated youths. While do not want TO jar
or make uncomfortable those youths who
are entering active life, l must speak the
truth. There are one or two traditions
still persisting I'm this civilization. To
first of them Is that the learned profess
slons are the only pursuits worthy the
graduates OF this university. This is a
great mistake.
University education Is not an obsta-
Gle to success in commercial life. | am
afraid that young Cubans are not suffi-
ciently infused with that mercantile spirit
OF which we have too much i'm the United
States. What you need is the desire TO
make money, to found great interests and
carry on the country's prosperity. and
young Cubans. or rather most Of them,
ought TO begin In business.
TRIBUTE To PALMA.
There should be no trouble In forcing
yourselves ahead in the next generation,
so that the banks, commercial houses and
shipping interests OF Cuba will be I'm Gu
ban hands instead OF in the hands Of for
eigners You must have foreign capital,
and the debt OF gratitude this country
owes that great man. Estrada Palma, is
hp NJ
the necessity of bringing capital in and
convincing the world OF the conservative
character OF your government in order
that foreign capitalists might depend on
its security.
But the right OF property and the mo-
tive OF accumulation are the basis OF all