New-York tribune., 1920-06-14
Hibben ear
For Reverence
OF Won1anhood
President of Princeton. in
BacCalaureate Sermon.
Warns of Evil Arising
From Pleasures of Hour
Deplores Modern Dance
Also Criticizes Fashions and
Regrets Reaction After
ldealism of " arti,n 81


threaten 10 lessen if not entirely to
wipe out the worlds reverence for
womanhood, declared DR.. John Gr;er
Hibben, president of Princeton Univar-
sity. II his baccalaureate sermon here
to-day
President Hibben appealed TO tho
members Of the graduating class to
rebel against the present chaotic con-
dtion in which the world finds itself
reminding them that to be complacent
in the face Of such a condition was
cowardly and unworthy. He asserted
that decrease in mans respect for
womanhood wac certain sign of ret
repression and decadence
lie said. IN part:
We had hoped that the results of
the war would be wholly benefcent and
that IN the new world, so dearly
bought, it would be easier for one 10
do that which was right and that everv
circumstance and condition of life
would be conducive to a nobler mode
o. living. to a glorifed view of duty
and Of opportunity and to a wider
scope for manifestation of that
which IS the highest in man.
Lower Level of Aspiration
instead of the fulfllment of this
dream We have come to feel tie dead
enng effect of a violent reaction. We
have allowed ourselves to sink to lower
levels OF aspiration and endeavor
About US IS world Of confusion and
turmoil and under the spell Of gen.
eral moral laxjty we are cropping in
the dark for the ray of light which we
have not yet discovered.
IN the Industrial world there is
under production, restless discomfort
and unscrupulous profteering. The hieh
cost OF living is not combated by
tnrift, but rather aggravated by reck-
less extravaganza
In matters OF finance there is an in
taton. not only o. currency and cred;..
but OF wild projects and enterprises
Whlch lack al! substance of sanity and
reason.
AS regards our philosophy of life
the splendid Idealism of yesterday has
gwen place to the crude materialism
of to-day. Selfinterest and self-ln-
dulgence have suddenly asserted
themselves. The personal problem of
lie Is put by mary in the following
terms: How can | get the most fer
myself out of the present disturbed
circumstance of the world . And not.
How can help recreate the world 70
n fuller and better life The very
world Itself has grown smaller in our
mnds since the fall OF 1918 We have
become cowardly in the face Of evide0,
responsl bihty. and there are many VI
are quite ready to limit our national %
legations 20 the shores Of the Atlactjc
and Pacific and selfshly to say to all
peoples Of the world, 'Henceforth We
are determined to live unto ourselves
Folly in Social Relations
IN our social relations We are weak
" allowing ourselves TO be ruled by the
Goddess OF Folly. slaves in her domain
20 the fashion Of the hour. The Md
err dress, the modern dance, the mod.
ern music and modern names of to-
day are symptoms that indicate that
somehow in this age we have lost our
bearings and that the old values Ct life,
once so highly prized, have been for
gotten There Is the danger Of u less
ening # not loss Of the oldtlme rev
erence for womanhood There is 10
longer an aura Of mystery about the
Young woman of today q mystery a.
once her defence and her glory; and
whenever IN the history o. the race this
divine prerogatiye OF womanhood is
l.g.,ly regarded or recklessly scorned
: has always proved q symrtom Of
decadence far-reaching and disastrous
Every age Of moral and spiritual
progress in the history OF any people
has always been an age of chvairy
in which womanhood has been not only
respected but revered To-day our
illusions seem 20 be gone; everything
iof4 y \
no yell drawn.
What Is the meaning Of all this,
this confusion of distinctions and
standards IN our industrial, social and
political Lfe2 Is 1t 10 be explained
merely By The suggestion that II is &
natural reaction Que 20 the great war?
Inc war may explain, but u does not
excuse. Suppose the war is the chief
Cause e the selashness and eXtrava-
gance. the foolish rechlessness Of our
lfe of to-day This is no reason for
Us - accept the present situation with
o., protez. against II or a determined
eSort % improve L.
Warns Against CompIacency
The flying arrow which l have in
mind as d symbol Of danger 20 you,
and the greatest danger that can con-
irons your life, IS that you may re-
man compiacent and content before
tNt present orGcr OF tnlngS. ION
formity % things as they are Away
mari the path Of least resistance. II
= pcraans tne most comfortable way
. =. but a. the same time it is the
uosr cowardiy and unworthy.
ne World Is in sore need to-day Of
nen q spirt. This need is your op-
rortra ty There is no place. however,
IN ,ols aye for any one who may choose
- lead 2 detached life, centered in his
a1 -,
BOOKING on from afar with indifference
Or d.sdain at the struggle and the
sac.lsce Of the valiant souls about h m.
IN every age there Ia always group
% men, few in number but mighty n
'nsnencc ard power, who form the ad-
fanced patrol Of the vast host behind
fhen. Tney move ever forward. ever
na<ing safe the way for others 10
.riow. There il where you may be
.L-lrN Il. q r1.,,or 90 q 2