Homage To Washington

Once more the birth of the "Father of our Country" has been duly oberved at the U. of M. The laws evidently realized that the perpetuation of Washington's meraory was sacredly entrusted to them, and they proceeded to make the most of their trust. The stage was decorated in a very artistic manner. Everything was conducted in a spirit of patriotic devotion. The laws and lits had their usual scrimmage and exchanges of "complimentary yells." At 2:45, Dean Knowlton " duced Congressman, J. P. Dolliver, who held the close attention of his large audience for over an hour. Mr. Dolliver is a forcible speaker, uses very choice language and always has a humorous story at his tongue's end to forcibly illustrate his point-. The address was something out of the usual fashion of "Birthday Oration" and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The speaker prefaced his theme by holding up the moral character of Washington as the one by which the progress of civilization is. reckoned. He then introduced his subject, "Public Virtue in Relation to Politics." The nineteenth century is a century of experimental knowledge which has put more wisdom into politics than any other age in history. It is the century that has put in slavery the masters of the world. Let us recall to mind why we cali our country great. Yet with all our greatness, there are giant evils abroad in our land. What is the available remedy for the moral evils that afflict American society? The monster of monsters of these evils is licentiousness. To its cause may be traced many any awful tragedy. Here is a Golgatha not yet redeemed by the blood of any savior. Side by side with the social evils, stands drunkenness, which is degrading American civilization. What is the relation of morality to secular politics? lts first relatïott is to the law and next to the aclministration of law. The speaker paid a high compliment to the lega! fession and showed how our independente was due to a question of law; "Taxation without Represontation." Many among the inr.uortal legions of patriots were lawyers. "Washington was not. a Iawyei, but he was a good cliënt. Law has been one of the conservative forces since the foundation of our government. Most evils are such as escape the eyes of the law. Let the law be exalted. Bat society must look above the law for the remedy for our evils. Some see in education the panacea for all our ills. But the experiment has been tried again and again. Behold the decline and degradation of Greece with all her refinement and culture! Rome had her Augustan Age! Nine tenths of all calamities come from men of high intelligence. All honor to the school house and University. May they multiply until demagogues tremble. But they cannat solve this problem. The Christian gospel is the ark and safeguard of our civilization. Reaction has set in against criticism which undermines faith. Free thinking, if clear thinking, will never lead to atheism. Without religión, patriotism is of no avail. George Washington was never more right than when he declared that without religión and morality, government is impossible. Let the government neglect that doctrine that man is no more responsible for his character than for his height, and it is mauufacturing bomb-shells more dangerous than those of Haymarket fame. Escapes froni vice lies in the faithful application in every day Ufe of the principies of Christ's gospel. Let every man realize that this world is God's and that every one is his brother. At the conclusiod of Mr. DoU liver's remarks, the University Glee and Banjo clubs enlivened the occasion with some of their delightful music.