New-York tribune., 1909-02-23
HUGHESON WASHINGTON
DEGREE FOR PRESIDENT.
University Also HOnors GoUernor
and BjShOD HARDING.

Washington. Feb 22--The regular midwinter con-
vocation exercises of George Washington Uni
versity, held in this city to-day, made not
able because Of the comforting of the honorary de-
grees of LII D. President Roosevelt Governor
Charles E. Hughes of New York and Bishop Alfred
Harding Of the Diocese of Washington, and by the
address Of Governor Hughes The degree was
conferred President Roosevelt lin absenua" be-
cause Of his presence at Hampton Roads 10 Wei
come the return of the battIeship fleet
In letter addre to President Needham OF the
university. who presided, the President expressed
his deep appreciation Of the honor conferred On
him. and declared that far as in me lies VIII
endeavor TO act not to forfeit the conndehoe
you cypress Governor Hughes was the principal
speaker, his subject being Progress and the ioealS
of Washington" He said III part:
The cause of liberty is safe With .hSf these %n9 sh
Lincoln. The significance of the notable tributes
merely talent or to triumph These alone could
not command them They have been won on beCaiesT bbisT
purposes and because the triumph was secured ah1
patience, perseverance, unselfshness and devotion
washington feared the growth of sectionalissm
and the historic sentence he urged that the
ationaI capacity must always exat the just pride
of patriotism more than any appeHaton derived
We no longer need to fear a decadence of national
wye see to can ha%e b sPpentR intense
or sectional differences of policy SuffclentX acute cue
TO endanger the existence of the Union we hahe ave
paid terrible price for the preservation OF @ me
secure The national sentiment has become pre-
dominant not destroying but transcending mere
washington asked rs there a do,Abt whether
s0ere s1 sngwered LET e%perience solve it
To listen to mere speculation in such case % weI@
organization of the whole. with the auxliiaTy Hillary
agency of governments for the respective suodi-
visions. will afford a happy issue to the expert
The efaciency of the governments of the states
sbcct to oTestons of exclusively local concern
trust the practical wisdom OF the american m Peo-s rs
from the national government the fun exercise OF
proper supervision Of national concerns.
The due administration Of Justice" said Wash:
to undermine free institutions than hostility 70
the ORDERLY processes of the courts. The loyal
acceptance OF The decisions Of thoss who have been
is essential TO stable government Dissatisfactlon
pointed for the purpose should he expressed IN a
suitable effort to amend the law ,
Respect for the courts, however, III free com
sentiment Of fear or in awe Of rulers but in
interigent appreciation of the necessity of the
3 and 2dy o bdea auhory 4f m eo
sential safeguard of public and private rights
have and there could be more striking proof
than their a5ftHfs toaTd 1 j1dss, s4ee se
enjoys immunity naI from from ttsyas cTle o b. advantage
ana 6uS butres9 sao9e the Respect FOR our uGiea tribunals
by improving so far as possible the Is n
lower spheres of judicial work through which the
great mass Of people Ignorance and favorit-
ism in the police court and protracted delays in
courts Of petit civil jurisdiction have an injurious
effect upon the sentiment OF the people toward the
government which Is not 10 be judged by the reLa-
five inconseouence of the questions in dispute
Washington considered the first arrangement OF
the judicial department as essential to the happi-
ness Of the country and 70 the stability OF its
political system. And the selection Of the httesE
Characters 10 expound the laws" was an nyaria-
Die object of his anxious concern This sohcitude,
50 eenerary shared by his successors. has main
tsihed the Supreme Court in position Of strength
and dignity cornpa tibe with its exalted powers.
washington warned against the dangers OF fac
tian and against associations for the purpose OF
directing or controlling the constituted authori-
ties He had in mind the abuses incident 10 pohtl-
cal combinations
evils against which must constantly guard. But
n is Interesting notice how the people without
destruction the necessary vehicles of political
action are intent upon securing within the party
the proper expression Of their will and such modi-
fcation If party methods as viii conform them 10
the spirit OF our institutions
While those who take short view may be in
clined to be pessimIstc. the student Of entire
history cannot fail to be impressed with the grow
nolitical machinery and to rescue government from
the domination Of selfish interests At time when
material prosperity reached It's highest point and
con1bins tions Of wealth and power seemed to eXer
else an irresistible influence. the American people
once more revealed their capacity for self-goVern-
nent and resolved to drive the money changers
from the temples Of democracy The people are
not decadent or Indifferent 70 their rights. They
are not unworthy of the priceless heritage OF the
g ETH