New-York tribune., 1908-02-23
IN CHICAGO ON
N4TION4L ISSUES.
Discusses GOJCrHmeHt Policy, Ap-
plwng Lessons from Washington
Time to Present Conditions. ,
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune.


sand Chicago men and women who hIled tho
Auditorium Theatre guests of the Union
League Club to-day.
II Mr.. Hughes's first appearance in Chi-\
cago since he became a national figure. speak
ing George Washington" he used lessons
from Washington's time TO discuss conditions in
the present times. He struck a note. and
audience that included every Republican OK
prominence in the city appauded his speech Al
every point
Mr. Hughes's friends were careful avoid
the appearance of launching Hughes boom in
Illinois,. Yet Mr.. Hughes's speech touched on
national issues in every phase. and his hearers.
when he had finished. knew just where he stood.
and they showed clearly that they liked his
stand
He would make a fine President" was the
expression used by many Republicans. vino are
openly advocates of either Cannon or Taft II
plain that with the nomination OF Hughes
not many Chicago party men would quarrel
In the afternoon the Governor addressed the
High School pupils in Orchestra Hail. and in ths
evening delivered the principal address at ths
Union Leagues Washington dinner
At the meeting in Orchestra Hall. Benjamin
Ide Wheeler. president Of the University OF CALI
fornia. delivered the principal address.
GOVERNOR HUGHEs-s ADDRESS
In his address the Auditorium Governor
Hughes said:
This day has summoned US to render grateful
tribute to supreme patriotic service. With
progress Of the years and the development OF
national life swells the obligation TO him
through whose military genius Independence
was won and through whose craftsmanship the
foundations Of the national structure were Sc
curey laid
But do simply commemorate victories.
even though they advanced a noble cause We
do not gather merely to praise tactics or STRAIT
egy daring, however brilliant the exploit or
notable the result Nor is IL the skill Of state
craft only which commands our homage These
may have their appropriate recognition But
This daT has a deeper import The victories OF
and the leadership OF peace were alike
glorifed by the character OF the victory and the
leader
We venerate Washington because in supreu1s
test he indicated manhood The standards OF
liberty were unsullied in his hands Whether
amid the hardshfps OF long and dtscouraglnS
campaigns or in the hours OF triumph WnstneT
as burden bearer or idol OF the people, ne IN
| varabIy exhibited the same purity OF motive
the same patriotic devotion Against All tnat y
| sordtd and mean against all that IS petty ano
| unworthy against the tgnoble contrivances and
manipuIatiOns of the cunning and the arIruL
against the graspings Of avarice and tne scneln-
ings OF sefShneSs, against every e1ort % mas
power and office contribute 10 personal gam.
against all that is or has oeeI1 nzt@.nL la ,i ano
harmful in political life. stands N nlajeshc
contrast the character of Wash1ngton-an ex-
ample and a benediction. a treasury or memory
and a security OF hope-a character. lle IeST.az
ton Of which ennobled humanity ana enrlcneo
The lesson of his life may be wholly missed by
+bnsa Who cali with pride the battle roll OF the
Revolution or who recount his disr1nctionS anu
ofscAs I1 NAV make but slight impression upon
those who in the conventional manner eXCII N
his deeds. 1t is a lesson we must an taAT -
heart If We ere 10 realize America lcea1s- l. -, -
the lesson Of the supremacy OF duty II u ne
lesson of honor-Of fidelity 10 trust IL must - ne
enforced in executive chambers. IN IeSsLatlve
halls in courts of justice, in newspaper oInces.
in hanks in trust and insurance companies. II.
professional and commercial kiLs IA pa " ~ 49, bv
trade, in the counting room 20 IN the s1lOp' ~
employer and employed r.
There is no legislative road TO character II
the spirit of Washington could perineate oa5
public and private life we should neither nsTu
nor seek governmental panacea- Ana II Is oi.-y
in so far in fact this spirit inloGes ao.LlLI 1
istratiOn that the government u q 80 Ppt -
can perform its function We shall largely IoSe
the value OF the celebrations Of this day We
give our thought exclusively 10 questlons or
SovernmentaI policy and omit 70 enphasize the
moral sources from which a just governments
must derive its strength
BURDENED BY RESPONSIBILITY
Washington did not seek power or pre1errnent-
probation OF distinction When ne vas ap
pointed 70 the command or the C ContlleHI-
forces he wrote to the President OF CohsresS-
.-1bough am truly sensible Of the high honor
done me in this appointment. yet reeI grsss
distress from a consciousness that my aoli1tles
and military experience may NOT oe equdA % % 80
extensive and important trust However as inc
Congress desire 1t. l Will enter upon Oe .o. Illo
mentOus duty and exert every power posSeSs
in the service and for support OF me glorious
cause As 10 pay. sir. / beg leave 10 as
- +be CONGRESS that as pecuntary cOnsld-
Grafton could have tempted me 70 accept tnis
arduous employment at the expense OF my DO
nestic ease and happiness, / 90 not Wlsh %
oLa anv nroft from il. I will keep an exact
anro,,,t Of nv expenses Those I doubt not
Tbev will dAcharge, and that is all l desire
With renacity of purpose that mas heNSl -
exceUed and incompetence sPlril' ne ~
dressad himself 10 his task. and When a1te
I-aars of struggle. victory was won. ne scorned
The temptations of power and yearned TOT peace
fui retirement Peris could not terrtfy MN de-
go could not dishearten him. exertton did NOT
axbaust him Nor could success undermine MN
nv victory disturb his pOise. Duty never ulads
bAr fnperiOus demands upon him IN vain but
that he should turn an opportunity for SerNIEs
nv The advantages of performance to MS per-
souaI gain was him unthinkable-
When prompted by the discomfort OF an army
which DESPITE its victories Congress neglected.
tt, e,,c-es+iop that his successes and prestige
might enable him by the exercise or rnonaTchtcaI
power 10 establish a firm and Just government
he replied; Let me- conJure you u you nave
any regard for country concern ior EoUr-
s.If ar p0steritv or respect for me. 10 bantSh
these thoughts from your mind and never COM
rnuuicate as from yourself or any one else a
sentiment of the like nature
Ending his military lahors he expected. az he
told his friends. 70 move gently down tho
stream of life until he slept with his fathers "
And when. after the adoption of the ConStitu-
ton he was called the head ~ the new gov
eminent 70 the constructive labors ~ peace. ne
manifested the same modest dignity and the
same patriotic devotion which characterized
him when he had taken command OF the army.
As he said: When I had judged upon the best
appreciation I able 10 form of the CirCum-
stances which related 20 myself that il my
duty embark again on the teFupestuOus and
uncertain ocean OF public life I gave up all eN-
And through the terms OF service that fol-
lowed but one purpose ran. and that was firmly
TO establish the government and tC leave moth
/ ing undOne upon his part which could promote
the welfare Of his fellow citizens HI bequeathed
/ 20 his Countrymen the priceless rne1l0rv Of ssr-
| vice Of extraordinary benefCe0ce which had IN