The Washington herald., 1907-11-22
STRIKES At SPORTS
Gov. Raymond, of MayfiOwer
Society, a Severe Critic.
SPEAKS AT ANNUAL DINNER
brilliant ASSembInGe Hears Censure
of College Athletics and Denuncia-
Observation-Disclosures Bryce Pays a
High Tribute to Pilgrim Fathers.

Athletics, as they are practiced in the
colleges and universities at the present
day. were severely censured by George
Lansing Raymond. governor of the So
ciety Of Mayflower Descendants, who held
their eighth annual dinner at the New
Willard Hotel last night
when one trains the body so that il
becomes numb and cannot be bruised.
said Gov. Raymond, 'he necessarily
trains the brain, too. so that it becomes
numb and cannot be used. Overtraining
not only ruins scholarship during a col
lege course. but makes many a man a
physical as well as a mental wreck long
before he reaches middle life
The argument. toe, that we can af-
ford an occasional result like this because
our nation needs future heroes and fight
ters. is fallacious. In these days Of
science, when we have our next war,
success VIII come not to the Goliaths.
but 70 the Davids: not 10 the pugiIists,
bat 10 the marksmen: not to the slug
gers. but tC the inventors.
I've all believe IN p certain amount Of
athletics. but what is the true principle
underlying a sane. healthful belief in IT,?
What bat this-that man should exer-
else sufficiently. and 10 more. than TO
keep bis brain. which is that for which
he should live, healthy. vigorous. and
clear? But whore do you hear this prin-
ciple proclaimed either in social or cdu-
catioual circles? Hardly anywhere.
Athletics are treated as an end IN
themselves. I have always felt great
respect FOR one OF my old pupils who
was the best gymnast in his class. but
who always refused To go into either the
baseball or the football team. He did so
on the ground that mentally he could not
afford the time and physically could not
afford the training. The latter was
more important reason than some might
suppose.
Censures FinnncierS.
As regards the present-day financial
methods, Gov Raymond said:
Turn again 10 the development Of
financial enterprise. All OF US know. or
ought 90 know, what the true principle
underlying this IS what the earlier pio-
neers and promoters of our country
namely. the building Of canals, railways.
manufactures, and towns. in order 70
and comfort of the people considered as
a whole.
i was brought UP in the busiest hive
OF enterprise in our country, and / never
heard any enterprise advocated in which
these objects were not brought TO the
front How often do YOU hear of them
to-day IN Wall Street2 Their principle
there is TO promote enterprise in order
10 secure individual wealth. One can
imagine a farmer on the Western prairies
rejoicing, when. after a long drought. he
sees a cloud rising on the distant hori-
ZOn.
so all Of rs, at times. have hailed the
advent of business enterprise But 81
makes 4 great difference whether that
cloud is filed with water from on high
or only with dust and debris is coming
on to INCREASE accommodations Of the same
kind, or 70 scatter its contents broadcast
20 bury and destroy every vestage Of fer
tility in its pathway. Our forefathers be
lieved In grounding all precepts and prac-
tices on right principles, because they
were not satisfied TO embody in life any
thing not true to the very highest ideal
I like TO think Of them as they started
from ScrOOby. gazing wistfully out be-
yond the PROV Of the little ship that bore
them 10 Holland gazing beyond the PROV
OF the Mayfower. that bore them across
tSe Atlantic, gazing beyond the rocks
ahd forests that welcomed them when
they reached New England"
Ambassador Bryce Speaks.
Hon. John Bryce. the British Ambas-
sador, was present as the guest of honor.
and when called upon for a few re-
marks e.'!4~ed the history Of the
great sea voyages -of the world. begin
ming with that OF Noah, whom. the en-
inent Britisher said, was the only nav
igator so far as he could remember who
did not know or care where he was go-
ing. and who was really glad when his
ship grounded.
Mr.. Bryce paid the greatest tribute 20
the Pilgrim Fathers and Mothers. say
ing that they came to this country not
10 acquire wealth, as did the Spaniards.
but 20 find a haven and refuge where
they could live in peace and worship
in peace according to the conviction Of
conscience.
Speaking OF New England. the part
where the Pilgrim Fathers first landed.
Mr.. Bryce said that II had changed very
much. That now almost every foreign
language was heard on the streets of
Boston; that even the American language
had a foreign accent, and that il HAD
The eminent speaker said this, however.
was due 10 the course of DEVELOPMENT.
in conclusion, Mr. Bryce enjoined his
hearers 10 always revere the memory Of
their ancestors, and to practice those
virtues for which they were known in
the history of the world in general. and
the history of this country in particular.
Edward T. Sanford. Assistant Attorney
General, spoke on THE equality of the
law and was followed by Rev. DR..
Samuel II. Woodrow, pastor Of the First
Congregational Church. who also spoke
on the Great epOchmaking Of tho Pill
grims.'
Thomas S Hopkins, ex-governor Of the
society, read the Compact Signed in the
Cabin Of the Mayfower," and John Louis
Ewel, elder Of the society. read Presi-
dent ROOsevelts Thanksgiving procIama-
ton. y solo was sung by Jasper Dean
McFall.
Prominent Persons Present.
The dinner was in celebration of the
two hundred and elghty-seventh ami
versary Of the signing Of the compact
in the cabin of the Mayflower. and Of
her anchorage in Cape Cod Harbor. Fol
lowing is list Of the guests: