New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-09
nFCRIES "OPPORTUNISM."
wsVOR on GALLERY PLAY
". Mcclellan Lectures at Prince
ton University.
rPy Telegraph 70 The Tribune


-.ston = j. March 6.-Nayor George b Nc |
~ New York City. in his Spencer Trask |
-, 6. Princeton University tonight asserted /
-, .rbe curse Of the day IS opportunism" and
s.-,rnced The opportunists' unreasoning amhi-
:, NAV 10 the gallery AS a Princeton man
-, Cor nearly twenty years had dealt with the
- and tumble politics as they are and not
- v-ould like them 70 be-" he said he wanted
:, rrge Princeton men 20 help IN trying 10 check
-, he believed be the most dangerous ten
ssncy Of the times.
tfter q reference 10 the remarkable prosperity
a, Europe and America in the last few years and
be vast increase N corporate and individual fort
unes he said;
As long rs humanity is human and vlrile. there
ss,oeficr 10 protest against those who have more
THder ideal conditions the meek shall doubtless
fxistence waged by the imperfect man it IS only
ths protestant AGAINST his lot-the fghter-who
succeeds MS disposition, when properly directed.
serves the regulator Z unnatural economic con-
n sordd and selfish interests it becomes a serious
menace 70 law and order. and even 10 civilization
LaWlessuess in any form Is foreign 10 The genius
Is uence as an exotic bTogt 20 rs S f, Ies
from foreign oppression, carefully cultivated. to
our shane be- II said. by native demagogues who
There is a spirit Of anarchy latent among the
non-Jeutonic races which needs but excuse 10
is purpose Anarchy dogs the heels OF prosperity
y SOM ~ men are scoundrels and some cor
porarons are criminal. shall not greatly i'm
capital Two wrongs never make "A rigllt nor may
We do harm that good may come. Most OF the pan
eceas for the evils OF the times suggested within
decade SAVIOR far more OF the environment of the
sense az the American people. 9-'''9S e0'''''H
Many = us have unwittingly drifted into an ex-
latons which should exist between government ana
capital which, II expressed IN concrete form would
asaarchy. II me i'''AS OF
The denagogue and he sensational newspaper
Mayor Mcclellan said. had seen their opportunity
in the discomfort of many and had made the most
81 H. both had made their profit the loss OF the
public. Both We're the creatures OF the gallery.
neither was the servant Of the people He added:
= We have reached point where public official
srar-f.sfs Cor re , Nv - - lIills1
10 give reporters who are paid by space "A reason
ae new an III INNS m h eo e9 Se wants S. S2n
scenes ana familiar faces. and unless "a public Of
fetal is willing crafty Il. matter how faith
m he may be the gallery demands change. AS
The result Of hi. desire 10 please. government
works under terrific pressure 10 accomplish tie
trposs5le Immediately, knowing that if il cannot
tS T3 % Of turn a down its thumbs and turn
u requires great courage TO hold fast 10 urin-
chile and 10 Let opportunity go by.
The TWO great political parties the speaker as
serted had become much alike, no better than two
factions struggling for power and patronage. and
he added:
Despite thcir traditions despite their records Of
turned from he GODS Of the.r fathers to worship
Both parties have treated the Fundamental ques-
lion Of taxation. which goes 10 The very source OF
the happiness ana prosperity OF the people. not
only as though il we're local issue, bur though
i we're question OF such insisnihcance as TO be Of
greater part Of our revenues must come from indl-
rect taxation. the question of the customs tariff
must necessarily always remain vital.
All agreed. said the lecturer that prosperity had
brought with il wrongs that required righttng but
the task should be undertaken with elaboration
and calnness- lie continued:
Demagogues suggest quack remedies. and in the
9ear OF losing votes politicians try apply them.
Whenever new symptom Of evil incident our
crises some ready made Moses armed win ready
faiih os many of our people in the power Of legs-
laton 10 right all wrong would ho absurd were q
not pathetic ] have 10 doubt Of the literal
truth Of the story that during The free silver agita-
tives urged ly their uents TO acttate Tor
The repeal by Congress of Gresaanl's law.
themselves win nor Bring The millennium There IS
10 snort cut 10 righteousness.
"opportuaism cannot be cured by criticism alone
said The speaker, adding:
l5e journalistic common soold has done as much
sc WI MINI I2--.-'. emotions as The yellow Journal
Judges them nor by what they do but 6v what
Icy promise they VIII 90. the common scod. hav-
irs no favorites. Judges al public officals by what
they have failed 70 accomplish.
esder does his duty honestly and well don't take il
9ors 1s i a1nln lim because re hasn't done
con blame him for what FOR all YOU know II was
70 accomplish When you ind "A IN public servant
s sr., ~ nm and hcln MIN. Help him TO 90 his
oulg' -eip 10 make lis path easy IS possible
Everybody could not be Presidents or Governors
OF Senators said The Mayor. and not all bosses. or
even Mayors. lie measured The recent work Of
congress IN this fashion,
During the last few years Congress has beer. but
wishes n i s.'I p, a glsieT q the Presidential
fsuiiFe - express its desires 10 have Congress
u both houses has been I63th 10 iraurrf5 a
The minority. on TIE otar hand 80 ifb peI; a7,o
unity such as has seldom been presented 10 act
rs great restraining and conservative fore 10
build up healthy public opinion in favor Of tie
Llsi.ienlnce 81 the law. has oscIllated between "A
= Thought THAI opposition would be popular. and a
The Executive. ia other words In tr, ~ 20. li-,5
me band Hegon when it thought that popularity
Strict coHstructonist has joined with loose con
Frnctonist. Democrat with Republican, in trying
ther ves i n M linton has ofived ia ie
short in any particular, let amend Il. II
by TIE fathers TT us add IL If we are to alter
y ~ us 90 So ia cool and legal manner; IN the
1psaa.t N snort. PROVIDED by me CONSTITUTION
aai IS long as ne Constitution remains as # IS
and reverence H.
T am much in earnest IN what say 20 YOU"
Msyor Mcclellan asserted because most firmly
believe that II our two great parties are 10 be
saved from the snares OF opportunism and brought
back 90 the FIRST principles Of the faihers me work
must DE done by YOU and by men like you"
Then, after saying that Princeton offered some
thing more than a dcEree-an education-he closed
MS lecture with these words:
We Owe debt OF gratitude % this old place
thar We meyer can wholly repay The best that We
ear cses hope is that with hard Work We may be
able III SOM. small measure 10 return the obliga-
ION Princeton docs not ask Of us the lIioss4t,t.
She asks ~ an OF us what each Of us can 90 Sne
has given rs priceless gift. the Princeton St4ll,
ana she asks fl1st wherever We sc. II Whatever
part - fbe world. ia Whatever calling or occupa-
.r.-fT D. at CFltn IN