The San Francisco call., 1907-03-24
Head of University
Scores Greed of
Big Monopolies

D1S N1OllOpOllCS
BERKELEY, March 2s.-charter day
at the university was shorn OF some
of its picturesque features today, when
the rainstorm made IT necessary to
shift the exercises from the Greek
Theater TO the gymnasium on the
campus, but the loss of inspiration
that is supposed to attend gatherings
in the big stone amphitheater was not
noticed when Nicholas Murray Butler,
president OF Columbia University, be-
gan the delivery of his Charter day
address.
Discussing True and False Democ-
racy." the Eastern educator made a
strong plea for added power to be
exercised by the leader OF the
demoeracy-the President. who now
is President Roosevelt. There were
whispers after the exercises had come
TO an end that President Buffers
strenuous argument in favor of more
power and increased prerogatives for
Roosevelt constituted an inspired ut
terance and was a part of a campaign
OF education designed to show that the
Federal big stick really is needed in
the Interests of true democracy.
President Butler pleaded Roosevelt's
case with skill and called him the
peoples one hope of finding repre-
sentation in the Government.
PLEADS FOR PRESIDENT
States and syndicates have their
Senator's" said Butler; districts and
local interests have representatives;
but the people of the United States
have only the President to speak for
them and do their Will: therefore give
the President vraaf
The old-fashiOned theory that uni
versity pronunciamentos are to deal
with abstract questions and refrain
from personalities was exploded by
President Butler. He mentioned names
while pleading for Roosevelt, compar-
ing him TO Lincoln and Cleveland. the
first Of whom represented the popular
Will in the Civil War and the second
acted for that same agency in the
struggle for a sound monetary sys-
tenn" And so it is with Roosevelt in
the battle against privilege and
greed" he declared.
President Butler spoke OF Congress
as the feeding ground for the agents
Of interests that are inimical to the
interests Of the people, and so made
the point that increased powers should
not be given TO Congress, but to the
President, because the latter and not
Congress really stood for the people.
gun at 3 o'clock with music, pro-
vided by a chorus OF sixteen alumni,
under the direction OF Professor Wal
ter E. Magee.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Thomas
McSweeney Of st. Francis de Sales
Church, Oakland.
BUTLER EXTENDS GREETING
President Buffers address on True
and False Democracy was, in part, as
follows:
II is at once grateful and an inspiring duty
70 be the bearer Of greetings to this splendid
lightnouse OF learning by the Golden Gate from
the old college across the continent which nour-
lshed SO many Of the fathers Of our republic ]
of moral and spiritual interest are without lin
ltatiOn Of distance. Animated by q common
parallel paths, Columbia ana the TnTersity f1'f of
California are as closely knit together If they
were seated side by side on the heights OF
MOrningside as II they pitched their camps
close together here By the shores of the beauti-
ful Bay OF San Francisco.
What, then, more appropriate or inviting than
that we. gathered here under these auspices, |
should turn our thoughts FOR brief hour to the
and tendencies that are shaping mans modern |
IRE. II IS my purpose to speak on the fas-
If can, TO point out some far-reaching distinc- /
tions between democracy which is true and sta
bic and one which is false and ilusory
In each of the progressive nations Of the /
earth II is clearly recognized that the pressing
questions Of the moment are not so much polit- /
ical' IN the narrow sense, as they are economic 1
ana social Human welfare, for which in a /
vague and general way governments were built. |
has now become In precise and specific way /
main object OF government everywhere.
TELLS OF DEMOCRACY
We Americans approach the present-day prob
lens in the spirit OF democracy, and with more |
than century OF schooling in democracy be-
what democracy means and implies? Have we
50 fast hold upon principle that not even the
alluremenis OF greed and envy or the promptings \
OF angry passion VIII sweep us from our moor 1
ingsf For there IS democracy false and a
democracy true, and u is just when the eco
nomie or social problem presses hardest for
solution that the sharp contrast between the
two IS lost sight of and the line which divides !
The socialist propaganda, never more seriously
or more ably carried on than now. is an earnest
and sincere attempt 10 escape from conditions /
that burdensome and unhappy. Despite fits
most imperfect Interpretation OF the economic /
significance of history and its ringing the changes
on a misleading theory Of class consciousness,
this propaganda makes an appeal TO our favora-
PIE 9nagment because us prociSlmeo motive Is
quarrel with its aim, but few readers Of his
It's programme What Is ii that socialism aims
TO accomplish by restricting liberty In order 10
promote economic equalityf II seeks 10 accom-
plish what IL c0nceives 10 be justef economic
and political condition. At bottom and with
out special reference 20 immediate concrete pro-
p0sals. socialism would substitute for individual
initiative collective and corporate responsibility
in matters relating TO property and production.
IN the hope thereby OF correcting ana overcOm-
ing the evils which attach to indiyidualism
run wild
DENOUNCEs SOCIALISM
But must not lose sight Of the fact that the
corporate or collective responsibility which It
would substitute for individual initiative is only
such corporate OF collective responsibility as a
group OF these very same individuals could ex-
ercise. Therefore. socialism Is primarily at
tempt 70 overcome mans individual imperfec-
tiOns by adding them together, in the hope that
they viii cancel each other. This Is not only
bad mathematics. but psychology. In pur-
suing a formula, socialism fails TO tnke account
OF the facts Out Of the people IL would CON-
stitute mob in forRetfulness Of the fact that Il
the mob, Jed uDled, Is the most serious foe
that the people have ever had to face. The
Roman republic conquered every enemy but its
own vices. With this warning written large
across the page OF history, what is the lesson Of
Rome for Americai
The most precious thing in the world Is the
indiy idual human mind and soul. with Its
capacity for growth and service. To bind 81
fast TO a formula, 10 hold 81 In check TO serve
the selfish ends OF mediOcrity. 10 deny IL utter
ance and expression, political, economic and
moral. Is TO make democracy impossible as q
permanent social and governmental form.
PEOPLE WORSHIP MONEY
The United States is in sore need today Of
an aristOcracy Of intellect and service. Because
artrn Il - fr