The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-06-21
COLLEGES NOT BREEDERS
OF DANGEROUS DOCTRINE
Nor Fomenters of Unrest, Former Justice
Charles E. Hughes Said in Semi
Centennial Address at Cor
nell University.

Ithaca, N. Y, June 2l.--Former JUS
tice Charles Il. Hughes, in an address
here Yesterday at the semi-centennial
celebration of Cornell university, depre-
Gated as mischievous the "extravagant
assertions and unwarranted generaliza-
tions" that American colleges and uni
versities are breeding centers of danger
GUS doctrines and fomenters of unrest"
Free speech is essential to a republic"
declared Mr.. Hughes "but free speech
without the insistent demand by the
community for fair speech is the oppor-
tunity for rogues and demagogues. The
sound critics, who can discern and ana
I'VE, who can point out falsity, who
hate lies and pretense, these are the salt
of democracy.
"We expect the university to provide
those who at least can detect what ia
false, even though, as Cicero said, they
find il more difficult to arrive at what
is true. For this purpose it is vital to
maintain the essential freedom of teach
ing.
with the world in ferment," Mr..
Hughes went on, 1--WE are appraising the
steadying and conserving influences and
we look to the university for something
more than the discharge of it's primary
and distinctive function in instruction.
What aid may we expect to counteract
the destructive aims of those who would
wreck free government and enthrone the
tyranny of class hatred? Democracy
cannot be saved by arms. Our victory
has preserved the opportunity to have
democracy. But it remains for the test
ing days of peace to determine
whether democracy itself can be pre-
served. The success Of this endeavor
must be the result of many cooperating
forces, pre-eminent among which will be
the sentiment and convictions of men
trained in the higher institutions of
learning
"The battle for free government is
never completely won,' continued Mr..
Hughes. 1T is an age-long struggle
against foes without and more insidious
and dangerous foes within. Now, with
tyrants overthrow and autocracy de.
stroyed in its last citadel, we must fight
anew, Where in democracy should we
look for the champions OF the fundamen-
tai principles Of liberty, if not to the
students Of history-to those who have
Pphdrieu Ofti INC lunk CoHNcsNs ioi tludi
rightsg
Democracy demands loyal acceptance
of the determinations of the majority,
but the majority to which it requires
obedience is that Of free citizens of equal
political privilege. 1t demands respect
for its own institutions as such. If they
function imperfectly, strive for their i'm
provement. They who would bring into
contempt the essential tribunals of JUS
tice, who sow the seeds of scorn for the
processes through which alone men can
substitute law and order for brutishness
and violence, are traitors to democracy
itself and bring a curse upon their own
house.
There can be no progress unless there
is respect for the processes of orderly
government. Against all those who eoun-
sci violence and anarchy we stand united
and resolute We shall settle no other
question until we settle that question
Whatever our differences, we propose
that they shall be determined BY dis
cussion and the ballot box and not by
bombs. To the would-be destroyer of
society, TO everyone who seeks to pro-
duce a reign of terror, TO all the apostles
of revolution, there Is but one answer
and that is that they will be treated as
a pestilence and their activities ended as
swiftly as the power and processes Of
the nation win permit preservation
is the first law of democracy, and, with
the broadcast spirit of liberation, we shall
not for a moment tolerate those who at
tempt the life of the republic"