Grover Cleveland

The following is the speech in fnll of ex-President Cleveland, le Jore the law clase, on Monday. After being introduced by President Angelí, wbo paid a glowing tribute to his integrity and worth as a man, he aróse and said : Mé. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: Among the few holidays whlch the rush and hurry of American life concede to us, surely no one of a secular character, is so suggestive and impressive as the day we celébrate on this occasion. We not only commemorate the birth of thegreatest American who lived, but we recall as inseparably connected with his career, all the events and incidents which led up to the establishment of free institutions in this land of ours, and culminated In the erection of our wondrous nation. The University of Michigan, theref ore, most appropriately honors herself and does a fitting public service, by especially providing for such an observance of the day, as is calculated to turn to the contemplation of patriotic duty the thoughts of the young men whom she is soon to send out to take places in the ranks of American citizenship. I hope it may not be out of place for me to express the gratification it aflords me as a member of the legal profession, to know that the conduct of these exercises has been committed to the classes of the Law Department of the University. There seems to me a propriety in this, for I have always thought the influences surrounding the practice and study of the law should especially induce a patriotic feeling. The iness of the profession is relatea to the enforcement and operation of the laws which govern our people; and its members, more often than those engaged in other oceupations, are called to a participación in making these laws. Besides, they are constantly brought to the study of the fundamental law of the land, and a familiarity with its history. Such study and familiarity should be suffieieut of themselves to increase a mau's love of country; and they certainly eau uut fail toarouse. his veiièratinn lor the men who lald tbe foundationa of our nations sure and steadfast in a writteu oonstitution, which has been declared by the greatest living English statesman, to be the "most wonderful work ever struck oft'at a given time by the braiu and purpose of man." Washington had more to do with the formation of the constitutiou tban our euthusiasm for other phases of the great work be did for his country usually makes prominent. He fought the battles which cleared the way for it. He best knew the net-il of cousolidating under one govern ment the colonies he had made free, and Jie best knew tliat without this oonnolidation, a wasting war, the long and severe privations and suffe rings bis countrymen had undergoue anti his own devoted labor in the cause of fi-e-dom, were practically in vain. The beginning of anythiug hke a public sentiment lookiug to the formation of our natiou is traceable to his eiforls. The circular letter he went to the governors of the states, ys eaily as the close of the war of the revolution, contained the üenu of the constitution; and all this wats recognized by his unaoimoua cholee to preside over the convention that formed it. His spirit ; was in and ttuough it all. But whatever may be said of the argument preseutcd in support of the propriety of giving the law classes the management of this celebration, it is eutlrely clear that the university herself furuishes to all her stndents a most useful lesson, wiicii by decréeing the observan ce of this day, sue recog nizes the fact that the kuowledge of books sbe Imparta is not a complete fulflllment of her duty, aud concedes that the educatiou with which s-he so well equips her graduates for individ i ual sueeess ia Ufe aud for business and professional usefulness, muy prol' itably be suppleniented by ihe stimulation of their patrlotism, and by the directiou of their tliouglns to subjects relating to their country's welfare. I do not know how general sucb an observance of Washington' birthday as bas been here established, prevails in our other universities and colleges; but I am convinced that any institu tion of learning in our land whicb ne glects to provide for the iustructive and improviug observance of this day within its walls, falls short of its ! tainable naeasure of usefulness and omits a just and valuable contribution to tbe general good. There is great need of educated men in our public life, but it is the need of educated men with patriotism. The college gradúate ! may be, and frequeutly is, more uupatriotic and less useful in publicaffairs than the man who with' limited education, has spent the years when opinions are formed, in improviug contact with the world instead of be ing within college walls and conflued to the study of books. If it be true as is often claimed, that the acholar ia politics is geuerally a failure, it may well be due to the fact that during nis forniative period, when last ing impressions are easily received, his intcl leet aione bas been cultivated at tlie expense of wliolesome aud well regu lated sentimei.i. I gpeak iil 'V in advocacy nf tt sentiment. II it is notfound in ex treme and exclusive mental cul neitlier ia it fouud in tbi of trade, nor iti tbe coa gainiog, nor in the maii rus! after wealth. Jts home is in toe bou memory of man. It has to do the moral sense. It leveren tlons, it loves ideas, it cberishes the names and the deeds of héroes and it, worships at tlie ahrine of patrlotism. I jilead for it because there is a sentiment whicb in some features itinctively American, that should liever aliow to languish. Wheu we are lold that we are a practical and common seuse people, we are apt to receive the statenit-nt with upproval and applause. We are proud of its truth and naturally proud because its truth is ut (rib uta ble lo the hard work we have had to do ever since our birth as a nation, and be cause of the stern we stil] see in our way before we reach our detertnined üestiny. Tliere is cause to supect, however, that another und less creditable reason for our gratiflcatlon, arises from a feeling that there is something heioioally American in treatins? witli intiifferenee or derision all tbose thiugs wbicb in ur view d not directly and palpably pertuin to what we cali wit li inucli eatisfaetion, practical frUirs, but which, if we were entirely frank, we sbould confesa uiHht 'lie calied money-getling and the betterment of individual conditiou. Growiiig out of this feeliug, ui inereasingdlsposltion indiscernible among our people, which begrudges to sentiment any time or attentiou sentiment of tbe people sbould not be counted aa amiable weaknesses because they are not at all times noisy and turbulent. The gentlei.ess and lovelluess of witman do not cause us to forget that sbe eau inspire man to deeds ofgreatnesa and heroism; that as wif'e she often makes ïuan's caretr noble and grand, and that as mother sbe builds and fHahions iu her muis the strong pillara of a state. So the sentiment of a people which in peace and oontentment decks with flowers the temple of tbeir rule uiay, in rage and fury, tbunder at lts foundations. Sentiment is the cement which keeps in place the gran i te blocks of pivernmental power, or the destructive agency whose explosión heaps iu ruius their seattered fragmenta. The monarch who cares only for bissovereiguty and safety, leads bis subjects to forgetfuhiews of oppressiou by a preteuse of for their iraditiuna; and the ruler who plans encroachments upon tlie liberties of nis peo.le, ghrewdly proceeds uuder the apparent sanclion of tlieir siiit iiiien t. Appeals to sentiment have led nations to bloody wars which have destroyed dyuasties and changed the linesot imperial territory. Such au appeal Bummoned our fathers to the battle fields wbere American independeuce was won, and such an appeal basscattered soldier's graves all over our land, which mutely give evidence of the power of our government aud the prepetuity of our free institutions. I have thus far spokeu of a people's sentiment as something whicb may exist and be eflective, uuder any form of government, aud in any national conditlon. But the thought naturally follows, that if tbis sentiment may be so potent in couutries ruled by a power originating outside of popular will, how vital must its existence and regulation be among our countrymen, who rule themselves and make and administer their own laws. In lands less free tban ours, the control of the governed may be more easily maintained if those wbo are set over tliem see flt to make oonoeesion to their sentimeut; yet, with or without such concessioo, the strong haud of force may still support the power to govern. But sentiment is the very life blood of our nation. Our government was con ceived amid the thunders that ecboed "All meu are created equal," and it was brought forth while free men shouted "We, the people of the United States." The sen timen tof our Fathers. made up of their patriotic intentions, their sincere beliefs, their homely impulses aud their noble inspiratious, entered into the governmeut they established; aud unless it is eonstaiitly supported aud guarded by a seutiim nt as pure as theirs, our scheme of popular rule will fail. Ahother and a dif fereut plan may take its piace; but this which we bold iu sacred trust, as it originated in patriotism, is ouly fitted for patriotic and bonest uses and purposes, and can only be admiuistered in its integrity and intended beneficence, by bonest and patriotic men. It can uo more be saved nor faitbfully conducted by a selfish, dishouest aud corrupt people, tha a strearn eau rise above its sou ce or be better and purer thau ils fouutain hed. None of us can be ignoraut of the ideas which coustitute the sentiment underlying our national structure. We kuow they are a revereut belief in God, a sincere recognition of the value and power of a noble manhood, devotion to uureserved patriotism, love lor uiau's equality, unquestiouing trust iu popular rule, the exactiou of civic virtue and honesty, faith in the saving quality of universal education, protec tion oí a free and unperverted expression of the popular wil!, and an insistence upon a strict accountability óf public ofticers as servauts of the people. These are the elements of American sentiment; aud all these should be fouud deeply imbedded in the ïninds aud bearts of our country men. When any oue of thein is displaced, the time has come when a dangersigual sbould be raised. Tbeir abseuce among the people of ot her nations - however great aud powerful they may be - can afïbrd us no comfort or reassurauce. We must work out our destiny unaided and alone in full view of the trutb, that nowbere so directly aud surely as here, doe tne aestructlou or degeueracy of the people's sentiment undermine the foundatiou of goverumental rule. Let us not for a moment suppose that we can outgrow our dependente upon this sentiment, nor that iu any stage ofuatioual advauce aud development, it will be less important. As the love of family and kiudred remaius to bless aud streugthen a man iu all the vicissitudes of hts mature aud busy life, so must our American sentiment remin a with us as a people - a sure hope and reliance in every phase of our country's growth. Nor will it sufflee that the factors which compose thiseentiineut have a sluggish exist enee ia our mind-, asattiefesof au uile i which we are williug perfunotorily tu profesa They mu-i I motive principie ! ing us to '■ lie eau-" ■ d to us aui Tl ideratioQ8 t'iiiijh:isize the vulue which should be placed upon every opportunity afForded us for the contemplation of the pure 1 i ves aud patriotic services of tho.se who have nected with the controlling incideuts of our country's history. Such contemplation cauuot fail to rein force aad revive the sentiment absolutely essential to useful Aiaerican citizeusbip, nor fail to arouse within us a determination that during our stewardship, no harm shall come to the political gifts we hold in trust for the Fathers of the iiepublic. It is because Oeorge Washington compietely represented all lbo eleii.ents of American sentiment, that every incident of his life from bis childbood to his death, is wortb ing- whetber it impresses the youne that might be given to business and wliicb is apt to crowd out of miad any thought not directly relat ed tö selfi-b plana and purposes. A little reflection ougbi to eonvince us thut this may be carried mucti too tur. Itisa mistake to regard sentiment as merely somettaiug, whic-h if indulged, bas a lendenoy Watteiupt to idle and useless contení plation or relrospectiou, thus weakeuing in a people tbe sturdiuess of necessary endeavor and diluting the eapacUy for national achievement. Tbe elemente whicb niake up the witb tbe beauty and value of moral traits, or whether it exhibits to the wisest and oldest, an exampleof sublime accomplishment aud the highest possible public service. Even the anecdotes told of bis boybood have their valué. I have nosympathy witb those wbo in these latter daya attempt to shake our faitb in theautbentieityof these stories, because they are not sat isfied witb tbe evidence iu their support, or beoause tbey do not seem to accord witli the conduct of boys iu 11 is generation. It may well be, that the stories sbould stand auil tiie boys of tbe present uay by pUied. At any rate these auecdotes have ansvvered au important purpose; aud in tbe present state of tbe proofs, they shóuld, in my opinión, be belleved. Tbe oherry t;ee and hatciiet incident aud its compauion declaraiiou tbat the Pather of bis Country never told a lie, have iudeli bly fixed upon tbe mind of many a boj' the importance of truthfuluess. Of all the legeuds contaiuing words of advice aud enoouragement which bung upon the walls of the little district school house where a large share of my educatiou was gained, I remember but oue, wbi'.'h was iu these words: "George Washington bad ouly a cotiimon school education." I will not plead guiity to the charge of dwelliug upon tbe little features of a great subject. I hope the day will Dever couie when American boys eau uot know of some trail or orne condi tion in which tbey may teel that they ougbt to be or are like Washington. I am notafraid to assert tbat a tuultitudeof nieu eau be found in every part of our land, respected for their probity and worth, aud most useful to the country aud to their fellow men, who will coufess their indebtedness to tbe story of Washington and bis hatchet; and many a man bas won bis way to honor aud fame uotwithstanding limited school advantages, because he found hope aud iuceutive iu the high mission Washington accomplisbeii with odIv a eommon school education. Tliese are not little trivialthings. They guide and influence the forces which make the character and sentiment of a great people I should be ashamed of my country, if in further speaking of what Washington h is done for tbe sentiment of bis couutrymen, it was necessary to nuike any excuse for a refereuce to his constant love and fond reverence, uboy and man, for his mother. This filial love is an attribute of American manbood, a badge which invites our trust and coufi lence and an indispens able element of American greatness A man may compasa important enter plises, he may became famous, he may win the applause of his fellows, he may even do public service and deserve a measureof popular approval, but be is not right at beurt aud can never be truly great if he forgets bis mother. In the latest biograpby of Washington we flnd the following statement concerning bis mother: "That she was alfectionate and loving canuot be doubted, for she retained to Ihe last a profound hold upon the revereiitial devotiou of her son; and yet as be rose steadily to the pinuacle of human greatness, she could only say ihat 'Geurge bad beêu a good boy aiui she was sure he would do bis duty.' " I cannot believe that the Atnerioan people will cousider themselves called upon to share the deprecatory feeling of the biographer, when be writcs that the mother of Washington could "jiily" auy of her sou, tbat she believed lie would be faitbful to the highest earthly trusts, because he had been good, uor i nat they will regard her words merely as an amiabiy tolererated expressiou of a fond mother. If they are true to Americau sent i ment, they will recognize in this language the auuouncement of the important truth, that under our insti tutions and scheme of government, goodness such as Washington's, is the best guaranty for the faithful discharge of public duty. They will eertainly do well for the country and for themselves, if they adopt the standard the intuitioo of this noble woman suggests, as the measure of their trust and coufldence. It meaus the exaction of moral principie and personal honor and honesty and goodness as indispensable credeutials to politioal preferment. I have referred only incidentally to the immense influence aud service of Washington in forming our oonstitu tion. I shall uot dweil upon his lotty patriotism, his skill and fortitude as the military commander who gained our iüdependenee, his iusp red wisdom, patriotism and statesriiansbip as First President of the Ilepublic, his constant love for his country men aud bis solicitude for their welfare at all times. The story has been often told, and is familiar to all. If I sbould repeat it, I should only seek to present further and probably unnecessary proi.f of (he finí', that Washington embodies iu bis cbaracter and exemplifled in his career, that Ameïican seniiniéni i;i which oiar governn liad itsprigin :md bieh I believe to cou'diMon uecessury toour bealih ful n:i: niet you. f have i! di d to the influí mpted to imi you the importMiic'; of cultivatingatid rhai.n tai Hing true American seutitnent, stiggesting that i has been planted and rooted in the moral faculties of our countrymi eau only flourish in their .lov truth and honesty and virtue and goodness. I believe that God ha ordained it for the people he has lected for his special favor; and I know tbat the decrees of God are n obsolete. 1 beg you to take with you when you go lorth to assuiue the obligations of American citizenship, as one of the best gifts of your Alma Mater, a strong and abidiug faith in the value and potency of agood conscience anda pure heart. Never yield oue iota to those who teach that these are weak and childish things, not needed in the struggle of manbood with the stern realitïes of life. Interest selves in public üfFdirs as a duty of citizenship; butdti uot Hurrenüer yOur faithto those who dlsoredít and débase politics by süoffiug at sentiment and principié, And whose politica! "aetivity consistH iu iittempts to train popular support by ouiiiiinp devioes nul slnvwd iii;i"piilieon. You will liiict plenty oftlien'e wlio will srnile ui ypur prnie-sioii si' fa Rh and teil you that tnilh iuid virtueand honesty and gooduess werp well enough in the old days wiien Washington lived, but are uot suited to the present stze and developmeut of our country and the progresa syé.have iaadeinthe art of politieal ïnaiiaufiueit. Be Hteadt'aHt. The strom? and slurdy oak still neeUn the support of lts native eurtli, aud as itgrowsin stzeand spreadiog branches, its roote must strike deeper in thesoil whioh warmed and fed Uw flrsi tender sprout You will be told that the people have no longer any deaire for the tilinga you profest". Be not deeeived. Tiie people are not dead but sleeping. Thej' wijl awaken in goed time, and scourge the money chaugersfiom tueir sacred temple. You may be chosen to public ofHoe. Do nol shriük fiom it, for holding offloe is also a duty of citijsensbip. But do not leave yi'ur faith hehiod you Every public ollice, suü.II or frieat, is heldin tru-t for your IVIIow-citizens. Tliey di ff er in imporianoe, in responsi bilny aml mi the labor tliey impose; bilt the duties of none if tbem cao be well perforuifil ir'ilie nieiithi of a good conscieuce and puro heart be dis carded. Of oourse otner equipnient ia neoessary, but without this mentorsiiip all else is insufficient. In tiiue-i if ftravest respouaibility it will solve your dilïicuuit: iu tiie most trying iiour it will lead you out of perplexlties, and it will at all timesdeliver you from temptation. In conclusión, le; me reunind you that we may all properly learn the lesson appropriate to Washington 's birthday, if we will; and that we sbll fortify ourt-elves aaimt the danser of falliug short in the discharge of u;.'V duty pertaiuing to oitizeiiship, il beiug tborouifhly imtmed wilh true American sentiment and 1 1 ie moral ideas whicli suppóri it, we are honestly true to ourselves 'To tlitiie own self be true, And il must follow as the night theday: Tbou ckus'i n t then be false lo aay man,"