Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-10
DR.. Edward Howard Grisos
Sees Ominous Tendencies
in American Republic.
FUNCTIONS Misunderstood
Delivers Most Interesting Lecture IN
der Tr-City Press Club Auspices
at the Grand.


turer, who appeared under the
auspices of the Tri-City Press club
at the Grand Opera house. Davenport.
Miserable weather and other adverse
conditions kept many away who would
otherwise have attended, but the af-
fair was on the whole on par with
he past efforts of the club. The aud
fence was representative of the best
thought of the tri-cities and thoroughly
appreciated the intellectual feast of
he evening.
DIR. GriGgs sustained his reputa-
ion as one of the leading teach
ers and philosophers, if not
the very foremost of his day. His
grasp of subjects and his power of
analysis are marvellous, while his com
mand and choice OF language is per
feet.
The whole peril of democracies the
speaker held due primarily to a mis-
apprehension of the chief function of
government, which is not to advance
4 nation in a material way, not even
to protect life and property, but to
many TIC Ihulh DtlltI. me BSSt
government is that in which the aver
lge of citizenship is THE highest, in
which the individual is developed to
he best advantage. Failing to realize
this Americans are suffering their re-
public to be menaced by undue cen
ralization, passiveness of citizenship
md demagOguery.
Republic Slow to Accomplish.
The ideal republic must of necessity
)e slow to advance in a material way.
Public sentiment must be cultivated
gradually and nothing can be done in
advance of it, for if by chance it is
| anticipated reaction is sure to fol
ow which will result in retrenchment
md ultimate loss of time. In their
nordinate desire to do things rather
han TO look to the principle involved
he people delegate their authority to
Individuals who have proved them.
selves capable. This Is the rule, every.
where, in business. in the municipal
ty, in the state and the nation. Even
| the colleges and universities this
| llan is followed. University presi
! tents now generally demand absolute
| Ontrol over the policies of the insti
ution they head and the result is that
| ne other members of the faculty. who
| should constitute real democracy
| re merely clerks and underlings
! Those who are given arbitrary power
we're characterized as good tyrants.'
| their prevalence leads TO the inevita
| BE shutting out of the individual anC
| he subversion of the real purpose fol
| which government was established.
| With the rise OF powerful leaders
| ,omes an increasing tendency to with
raw from participation in the func
ions of government by the "cowardlN
'irtuOus." These are the people whC
lold themselves better than the com
non herd and with a false idei. O
| heir own Importance refrain from
participating in primaries and cleo
tons and from holding office. Thi
S another influence that gives tn,
ne-man idea full sway.
| Are an Incorporate People.
| The striving To do things withou
regard to principles and methods i
llso breeding imtemperance. not il
he usual sense, but in thought ant
action. 1t is leading to extremes AM
Xtremes destroy the balance of tn,
| alton and cause violent reactions
fckleness of temper brings into aC
ion the demagOgue or self seekin;
aader who curries popular favor onl
! o carry his own ends.
| The American people are cutivat
| ng strenuousness without particula
| ,ttention to the course in which thei
nergfes are being applied. They rea
90 much and think too little The
| re willing to sell their opinion 70
| Material advantage. This glaring vic
alton of moral law is evident in a
he influences which mould publ
tought, the press, rostrum, pulp
nd even the schools.
AS a remedy for all this Dr. Grigg
rged getting back to first principle
md the cultivation of temperance i
bought and action. The public col
cience should be aroused. Disrespec
| If the laws should be discouraged an
| leadership be taken more seriousl
| Public education should be broadene
| md the schools should be open to til
Did as we'll as to the young and n &C
an agent for the social and moral r
| lgeneration of the race.
Talks at Dinner.
III Prior to delivering the lectur
/ which was on Public Education al
! the Problem of Democracy" L
| Griggs was the guest of the Press cit
| lat dinner served in private dinir
| room at Turner hall, a number of Il
] ladies' of the members being preser
After the repast DR.. Griggs was call
| upon and treated the diners to a :
minute talk on prevailing busiEe
conditions in the United States al
the causes leading thereto. 1t w
particularly apt and timely and fit
nicely with the formal discourse {
Ilivered later in the evening.
III The speaker referred to the balan
hat must be kept by a people TO
| sure stability of government Speci