New-York tribune., 1910-05-01
Mr.. W|CKERSHAM'S V|EWS'
Appeals for United Aid for Rep
resentative Government.
DANGER IN FACTI0NAlISM
In Address to Lehigh Alumni
Attorney General Says All
Should Do Their Part.
Tpv TsJsr-sns 20 III. Tribuus.l

by Telegraph TO Tho Tribunal
Wflkes-Barre, Penn, April so-Attorney
General George w. Wickcrsham made the
chief address at the annual dinner Of the
Northeastern Pennsylvania Lehigh Alumni
Association here tonight Discussing gov
ernment, he said:
Madison pointed out in tho tenth paper
OF THE Federalist'' the dangers TO Tree
government arising from factional spirit In
public affairs-the mischief created oy a
number Of citizens "Hho are united ana
actuated by some common impulse OF pas
sion. or OF interest adverse 70 the r1ghts
Of other citizens. or to the permanent anu
aggregate interests OF the community. 10
secure the public good and private rishs
against the dangers OF faction, and at tho
same time to preserve the spirit and the
form Of popular government was, ne &c.
cared the great object of the Ininc,ns Of
of representative government by Whicn .hs
trainers OF that great chaTter conciuestt St
they could best attain this objeesr rS was rS see
eralist' in this language:
mo man can be a competent Legislator
who does not add to an upright intenuoa1
knowledge OF the subjects on when ne -
TO Iegislate. A part OF this knowledge may
lie within the compass Of men in private
IS well as public stations. Another paLt
can only be attained, or at least thoIoosh. IN
ly attained, by actual experience ih rst rhe
station which requires the use or II me
period of service ought, therefore in all
such cases to bear some proportion TO- the ne
extent of practical knowledge requisite 10
the due performance ct the service.
Intelligent comprehension or the mature
OF the task imposed upon Inose ~hI S,,tiao IT,
of representing the people In one capaClty
or another in government. candid So-opefa-
ton with them in discharging these IN
/ creasingIy difficult functions; a tolerant,
not a mere capdous and critical atutuoe
with respect to all honest endsavor 70
| confidence in their integrity OF purpose pose
until they be shown unworthy or such con-
tdence-these things are essential 10 smc. SSe
cessful representative government, me
trainers of our constitutions, state ana
federal, conferred upon US great inherl-
tanee 1t ts for us to deSeTn1me III n1 cbidren
uninpaired. It is a stately and commo-
dious structure, shrewdly adapted to meet
Shall we suffer it to fall into ignoble hands,
its fair chambers 10 be desecrated and its
walls to crunble and decay. or shall we
its orderly proportions and its appointed di-
visions? These are questions that concern
you. men of science YOU men OF IHh ,n1us1Ty; 1o,;
should not reiegate to the professional
politician, the newspaper writer ana tle
lawyer. Your trained intelligence, your
method or investigation. your lore ot IL
eSorable and demonstrable truth. are need
ed for the preservation Of Republican In
stitut!ons and the continued success OF
popular government Study the nature Of
pur government. Help TO select the proper
men to represent you in II Then help them
with criticism which is the result OF the
application Of those methods of thought
which have made you successful in the
paths OF science.
But my plea Is that you do not let your
interest in public affairs stop with these
technicaI matters, but rather that they
may lead you to a larger comprehension
of and g greater attention TO the choice
and the support Of the right men to con-
duct the affairs OF government, helping
them with your trained intelligence, your
keen perceptions, your tolerant and whole.
some minds, to the end that government
of the people, by the people and for the
people may not degenerate into a nisern,
Bile scramble Of unworthy demagogues' ana
then perish from the earth.