The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-06-24
AMERICAN SPIRIT
HUGHES THEME
Declares TO Brown University Grad.
yates That In Conviction OF Such
Nationality Lies Manhood
Warm Welcome Given Re.
publican Nominee.

Providence, II. l., June 23-Charles
l.. Hughes, Republican presidential
nominee Wednesday told the gradual
ing class and alumni of Brown Univer-
sity that the American spirit was not
! to be fed in the classroom by such r
nice balancing that conviction was no
torious by its absence, but was to be
expressed "by men who have thought
II all out and finally believe in some
thing"
"And in that spirit and conviction
lies our manhood" he continued.
t"This is not a political occasion, but
it is only fair that say this informal
word to you. had never expected to
be in this position. l dreaded the re-
sponsibilities for know full well the
problems that are before u.s. konw
full well the problems that will con-
front us in America after this war
shall end I know all the constructive
power we possess must be drawn up
on to meet them, and am here with
such powers as possess, to be placed,
IL they are desired, at the disposal of
our country"
81 am here" he said, "as a member
of the class of 'S1-a class once called
the smallest and sorriest in college.
We did not have in those days the
things you have now. We did not have
swimming pool, a gymnasium, mag
niflcent dOrmitories. l don't believe
We had a whole pane of glass in most
Of our dormitory windows. Why, talk
about the American spirit-that's what
kept us warm. That's what kept us
alive That's the reason We are here
q when I come back to Brown. | am
not thinking of buildings as my shrine
| am thinking of men, college men,
warm blooded, true-hearted American
men, having freedom of speech and
freedom of discussion, men having the
capacity of democracy to deal with
problems which our democracy is now
facing and must settle"
/ Mr.. Hughes address, intended for
the men of Brown University, was de-
voted almost wholly to Brown tradi-
tions and to recalling incidents of
thirty-fve years ago when he attend
ed the university.
81 merely want to say this informal
word to you" he said, "thath as an old
graduate, for | am here only in that
character, | wanted a draught from
the old spring before | plunged into
the fight"
The nominee, not on the program as
a speaker. was called from his seat In
the body of the audience to the plat
form after the last set speech He
had been cheered and lionized all day
by alumni and when he led his class
into the big tent on the campus to
hear the closing exercises, the crowd
rOared.
Given Noisy Welcome
The classes of Brown, past and pres
ent rose one by one and gave him
their fayorite college yell, the Long
Brown" The class of &c, handful of
gray-haired men, led off the big class
of '07 was the last. Led by a 1.-THE
cheer leader who seemed all arms and
legs, the undergraduates doomed out
a noisy welcome to Charlie Hughes. "
! He came to the platform amid more
applause after President Brown, of the
Alumni Association, had recommend
ed the Mariners Greed, ITO Mind His
Four L's-lead, log, latitude and look
out" to Hughes of 81" Face wreath
ed in smiles, he took the few steps TO
the platform and held out his hand for
silence.
Il am simply a Brown boy trying to
do his duty" he said and the crowd
roared again. Again and again the
nominee repeated in substance that he
had not come TO speak to them as a
political standardbearer, but as a
grownup college boy, home on vaca-
ton. Then he spoke Of the American
spirit. I'VE have the American spirit.
he said but it is a fire that each gem
Grafton must keep burning. II is not
10 be fed by cynical comment; 1t is
not to be fed in the classroom by such
a nice balancing that conviction is
notorius by its absence. It is to be
fed by men who have thought II out
who have reasoned II out from every
point of view, who finally believe
something"