I hope there is before us a distinction greater than which no people ever strove to reach; it is that when the next circle of wars is traced upon the earth, the American nation shall stand outside the baneful ring. There is upon us all a duty to curb the unbridled speech and act whose tendency is to weaken and dissever, and to cultivate that reason and careful moderation which shall draw and hold us near together

ADDRESS BEFORE THE MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION IN THE SENATE CHAMBER, JUNE 28, 1897

MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION: The interest felt in education marks the development of the community. Industry and even progress, to a considerable degree and in various ways, may exist where the standard of education is commonplace. But the larger forces that push out and conquer, that dispel darkness and build temples, and make the fondest dreams seem reasonable ambitions, must rest upon the base of high and conscientious scholarship. The structure of education in this country has been reared at great cost, and in this cost the element of money is but a grain upon the shore. It is the labor, the thought, the sacrifice, the patience, burned into it from the foundation to the towers, that have given it its grandeur, strength and permanence. Parts of it may sometimes be weak, but you must strengthen them, for in that temple is the hope of the race. Our obligations to the studious and thoughtful have

always been acknowledged. Energy and determination in an individual will seldom succeed unless guided by prudence. The courage and strength of a Nation give little assurance of security unless tempered by wisdom.

I sometimes doubt whether the obligation of the State to the scholar is as great as it used to be. In the earlier days. of the Republic, the statesman, the politician and the scholar were the same. What any man possessed of education or enlightenment was devoted freely to his country. His individual attainments were his country's gain and at his country's service. It sometimes seems as though the scholar's path is narrowing as he advances. If that be true, it is not a promise but a danger. As the world enlarges, the scholar should broaden with the rest. He should grow to the size of a statesman, and not shrink to the crippled stature of a critic. Scholarship is degraded unless joined with charity and sense. Her domain should be the whole world, her subject the whole race, and she should be ashamed to let her voice be always prophetic of misfortune. world, but men are very rare who have not heard of that. The need is for correction and for aid to those who are willing to attempt it. If a fire rages the call is not for one to tell how it could have been prevented or to chide those who fight it, but for help to put it out. It should be quenched first and discussed afterwards. One fighter on the spot is worth a thousand critics at home.

Evils exist in the

Scholars are going deeper and deeper every year, but the world would forgive them for not going so deep if they would

only have more breadth. If they dig wisely they may accomplish much, but little good is done by those who only burrow. The latter come to the surface only often enough to be astonished without comprehending. A partial comprehension makes many critics but no masters. Scholars should stay up in the light even though the sun be warm. They are confined too much in the study and are not enough out in the sun. They learn too much from books and not enough from experience. They rely too much upon what a thing is said to be instead of what it is. We have reached a period when not everything reported is certain to be true. If the scholar would sometimes mingle in the current of affairs, would step down from the shades of the bank and let that current touch him, he would know after that that not every man who enters the current goes over the dam. If he enters resolutely and works well he may bring some rubbish ashore, and even if the stream appears not to have been improved much where he stands, it will be clearer below.

I wish every scholar in the country would enter politics. If he did there would be no danger of harm to him, while the gain to his country would be lasting and substantial. There are abuses to be corrected, but nothing will correct them but work, and work can never be effective unless the efforts of many are combined. All those struggling for the same destination should be willing to reach it even by different roads, and each should remember that losing sight of another who has preceded by a different path is no proof that that other

has turned back.

Nothing should ever be based upon impulse if conviction can be attained. The same forces aided by toleration will win a thousand times and the next thousand times, governed by distrust, will fail.

I have no right to speak to you as a scholar, for I claim only to have once started in that career, while you have pursued it all your lives, but I yield to no one in my admiration for the scholar and his work, and I rely upon this feeling to be my excuse to you for this admonition; think not only of what you have done, but also of the splendid possibilities which your place opens to you; remember not only the power that rests upon your shoulders as an educator, but also that the duty of a citizen rests beside it. If you are stronger than others, more can rightfully be demanded of you, and above all things remember this, that confidence is better than distrust, better as a weapon for you, better to encourage others who bear and realize responsibility.

ADDRESS Before the ARMY OF THE POTOMAC IN MUSIC HALL, TROY, ON AUGUST 19, 1897

MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: You will be welcomed for the city and it is my privilege to extend to you a cordial welcome for the State. An honor coveted by every State in the Union has been bestowed upon Troy.

The annual ceremonies of the Society of the Army of the Potomac have become historic. The roll of its presidents includes the names of soldiers who will always be illustrious in the records of military achievements. The deeds of that Army whose glory this Society perpetuates are among the greatest of the Civil War. Yet the privilege of the city is not in receiving you only, great as that honor alone would be, but it is increased by the presence here of one whose career as a soldier and a statesman has fitted him to revive, in the presidential office, the best traditions of that high place. We welcome with ample hospitality the President of the United States, but in that welcome enters largely a feeling of personal respect and confidence for the dignity and character of William McKinley.

These meetings every year emphasize the value of that cause for which you once contended, and by reminding others of the stress and hardships through which you have passed, will render them more thoughtful and forbearing.

I am glad it is the fortune of the city to receive you now, for every year your ranks are growing thinner and faces long familiar, will soon have passed away. The debt will be ours, should it ever be your pleasure to visit us again, but if that visit is not in store, I wish you to carry away with you the knowledge of our gratitude for your past achievements. our pleasure at your presence now, and our fervent wish for the joy and comfort of your future.