The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-19
ORATIONS AT THE
COMMENCEMENT
OF "OLD BROWN"

a powerful influence upon the popular ap-
prehension OF the principles OF gVyern-
ment. and, sweeping the people with him
In the desire 10 accomplish great ends
quickly. produce a government based not
upon broad and undying principles, by
upon the apparent necessity OF the mo-
ment.
Among the presidents OF the United
States few have been so richly endowed
with energy and personal magnetism as
Theodore Roosevelt With unimpeach-
that neither the congress, nor the judi
ciary nor the written law OF the land
shah stand I'm the way OF the welfare or
the republic at home and abroad In the
tendency toward concentration or the
last 20 years he Is the crowning figure.
He has become the maker OF public
opinion instead OF It's servant.
"Stlll another popular leader would
place all great questions directly be-
fore the people. Yet Mr. Bryan's idea
OF the initiative and referendum in
national matters is equally fatal TO
Republicanism. 1t is impossible for
the mass OF citizens 70 be competent
TO decide the great issues. II is to
protect the nation against popular
prejudice and Ignorance that represen-
tatives OF the people are selected. The
states, too. have representative rights,
which the initiative and referendum
idea ignores.
Both extremes, one dangerous
theory. designed to vest more power
In the central government the other
to throw unlimited power 20 the pas
sions and prejudices or the people.
spring from a common cause and re-
suit I'm n similar disaster. The ruling
passion ot the American public is for
rapid achievement. Anxious for i'm
mediate results. the people OF the
United States believe that. while the
sun IL rising. congress can legislate
away the evils OF a quarter century
or can adapt one law TO the peculiar
difficulties OF all the states in the
Union The desire for a more national
government, and also for a more popu-
lar one. has no sanction but ex-
pediency. The one begins by being
autocratlc and ends In being corrupt.
the other begins in confusion and ends
in dscord.
I'VE in America have Inherited a
government which is neither national
nor federal but a composition OF both.
The government at Washington is not
charged with the whole power OF ad-
ministering the laws. but leaves TO the
states and towns minor matters. thus
bringing respect and reverence for the
principles OF self government. Has the
increase in population and national
prosperity made II necessary 10 for
sake the govcrnment OF the fathers?
so brought the states together that
there IL less need for central control,
and greater demand for the conserva-
tive influence OF the states. Let us
not under the spur OF apparent neces-
sity, turn TO more centralized or n
more Socialistic government. but pre-
serve the wise government OF the
fathers which rests upon the good
sense and self control OF the American
people"
POLICY IN THE FAR EAST.
John Courtland Knowles OF Provi-
dence was the fourth speaker. In his
speech, the subject OF which was 'The
Policy OF United states In the Far
East" he brought out the fact that
a prophecy made by William II. Sew
ard In 1852, TO the effect that the Pa
cino ocean would soon become the
theatre OF world events, has already
been fulfilled. China is practically all
important In the eastern situation OF
today. Within the past half dozen
years there has come a great change
for preceding from a place where she
was liable 10 be parcelled out. she has
developed so that her chances for this
kind OF treatment are slight. The
causes contributing to this change was
the juncture OF the Russo Japanese
war, the Angio-Japanese alliance and
the actual outcome OF the war between
Russia and japan.
AS a result OF this war a great re-
form has swept over the whole en-
pire. II this movement should prove
TO be artificial China would be divided
among the nations, and this division
would endanger the peace OF the whole
world. But X China becomes a strong
power then this problem fnds a highly
satisfactory answer
with tho question OF China's status
settled" he continued. 'the remaining
probbem In tine preservation OF the open
door m the Far East Since England,
Japan and the United States alone can
control the shipping OF China, and sinoe
these powers favor an open door II is
apparent that China is the only one who
cra close the door. With China increased
IN styength. her friendship should be
sought as an equal as II cannot fail 10
be of irlmcnse value In the near future.
whetber or not We shall act In such a
way as 20 preserve that friendship Is n
qustion that demands an immediate ans
wer."
SCIENCE IN EDUCATON
The fnai oratfon was that OF William
Nssbft Ross. OF Providence. He chose for