The Washington herald., 1908-06-25

Mr.. Taft brought a round Of cheers. The
plain inference was that Mr.. Taft was
a man who could preserve the preroga-'
lives OF the courts
In all. the university conferred rs de-
gress. Among the doctors OF philosophy
were four women and they were cheered.
The annual dinner followed the exer-
cises in Commencement Hall. Mr.. Nor
gan started right back 10 New York. but
most OF the other honorary degree men
attended the dinner as guests Of the
alumni association. President Hadley pre-
sided He referred 20 Mr.. CIeveland's
death as soon as he got on his feet.
Casts a Pail.
IT Is the only thing" said he. that
has occurred 10 cast the pail Of serious
ness over our commencement. Mr.. Cleve-
land was one OF the greatest figures in
the nations history Grover Cleveland
was man on whom all America. re-
gardless Of party Affiliations, looked with
reverence and affection.
1T would be uniting that we should
sit down 10 this graduates dinner with
out paying Yale's tribute 10 the memory
OF him who believed that public Office is
a public trust and he never wearied Of
and persisted in doing his duty as he
saw it"
Secretary TAFT was the last sneaker AZ
the dinner. After referring 10 Mr.. Cleve-
land as quoted above, Mr. TAFT raised a
protest that the men upon whom hon
orary degrees had been conferred had not
been compelled 10 tell why the degrees
had been conferred. Instead. the com
mencement managers had left ali the
speech-making 70 the poor graduates Il
seemed that Senator Spooner was down
for speech. but he had 10 leave.
Took KnOx's Place.
Last year continued Mr.. Taft. Il was
compelled to take the place Of Senator
Knox and this year OF Senator Spooner.
Now. II has been my experience with
members Of that distinguished body that
they were sometimes willing TO speak
when the country didn't desire 10 hear
them and why, now that We are all ach-
Ing TO hear them. why they desert their
posts, I don't understand
Secretary Taft, after speaking IN high
praise Of the management OF the com
nencement. said:
This is a nonpartisan meeting. I.aush-
ter Yet the party 20 which I have the
honor 10 belong has not indicated a
manager; otherwise think. obeving that
manager, ! should have been advised to
husband my resources in the presence OF
such a meeting
Historical Description.
But as politics have been referred 10
our youngest alumnus from Scotland. the
Rev. DR.. Black. who has expressed some
difficulty in determining the difference
between a Republican and a Democrat 7
beg 10 advise our youngest alumnus that
the term Democrat Is mere historical
description. CApplause)
For man who needs insp.ratiou-for
man who may be charged with the
responsibilities OF discussing the issues Of
the day, It IS not proper that he should
come here 10 speak. He should come here
TO drink In the Yale spirit. and not At
tempt 70 give out anything. The Yale
spirit is the spirit Of progressiveness
without the spirit Of destruction. loud
appiause) In the moral awakening thar
we Ike 70 feel We have had in the last
iour years and are 70 continue in the
years 10 come-(applause) know the
spirit Of Yale men will always be in the
lead for the higher uplifting OF everything
worth preserving in this country"