Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1886 — HARVARD’S JUBILEE. [ARTICLE]

HARVARD’S JUBILEE.

The Old University Extends a Royal Welcome to the Chief Magistrate. A Banquet at Which President Cleveland Makes a Speech. President Cleveland, accompanied by Secretaries Bayard, Endicott, Whitney r and Lamar, received an enthusiastic welcome at Boston on the Bth inst. They participated in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of Harvard College,, where thirty-five hundred graduates had assembled. The exercises were held in Sanders’ Theater, Cambridge, where James Russell Lowell delivered a classic address, and Oliver Wendell Holmes read a poemSubsequently 1,200 guests seated themselves at the banquet tables in Memorial. Hall. At the close of the banquet President Cleveland was introduced, and spoke as follows: Mr. President and Gentlemen— l find myself to-day in a company to which I am much, unused, and when I realize alumni of the oldest college in the land surrounding, in their right of sonship, the maternal board to which I am butan invited guest, the reflection that for me there exists no alma mater gives rise to a feeling of regret, which is kindly tempered only by the cordiality of your welcome and your reassuring kindness. If tho fact is recalled that only twelve of my twenty-one predecessors in office--had the advantage of a collegiate or university education, a proof is presented of the democratic sense of our people rather than an argument against the supreme value of the best and most liberal education in high public positions. There certainly can be no sufficient reason for any space or distance between the walks of the most classical education and the way that leads to a political place. Any disinclination on the part of the most learned and cultured of our citizens to minglein public affairs, and consequent abandonment of political activity to those who have but little regard for student and scholar in politics, are not favorable conditions under a government such as ours, and if they have existed to a damaging extent very recent events appear to indicate that the education and conservatism of theland are to be hereafter more plainly heard in the expression of popular will. Surely the splendid destiny which awaits a patriotic effort in behalf of our country will be sooner reached if the best of our thinkers and educated men shall deem it a solemn duty of citizenshipto actively and practically engage in political affairs, and if the force and power of their thought and learning shall be willingly or' unwillingly acknowledged in party management. If I am to speak of tho President of the United States, I desire to mention as the most pleasant and characteristic feature of our system of government the nearness of tho people to their 1 President and other high officials. A close view afforded our citizens of the acts and conduct of those to whom they have intrusted their interests serves as a regulator and check upon temptation and pressure in office, and is a constantreminder that diligence and faithfulness are the measure of public duty, and such a relation, between President and people ought to leave but little room in popular judgment and conscience for unjust and false accusations and for malicious slanders invented for the purpose of undermining the people’s trust aud confidence in the administration of their Government. No public officer should desire to check the utmost freedom of criticism as to all official acts, but every right-thinking man must concede that the President of the United States should not beput beyond the protection which American love of fair play and decency accords to every American citizen. This trait of our national character would not encourage, if their extent and tendency were fully appreciated, the silly, mean, and cowardly lies that every day are found in the columns of certain newspapers which violate every instinct of American manliness, and in ghoulish glee desecrate every sacred relation of private life. There is nothing in the highest office that the American people can confer which necessarily makes their President altogether selfish, scheming, and untrustworthy. On the contrary, the solemn duties which confront him tend to a sober Sense of responsibility ; the trust of the American people and an. appreciation of their mission among the nations of the earth should make him a patriotic man, and the tales of distress which reach him from the humble and lowly and needy and afflicted in every corner of the land can not fail toquicken within him every kind impulse and tender sensibility. After all it comes to this. The people of the United States have one and all a sacred mission to perform, and your President not more surely than every other citizen who loves his country must assume part of the responsibility of the demonstration to the world of the success of popular government. No man can hide his talent in a napkin and escape the condemnation which his slothfulness deservesnor evade tho stern sentence which his faithlessness invites. Be assured, my friends, that the privileges of this day, so full of improvement, and the enjoyments of this hour, so full of pleasure and cheerful encouragements, will never be forgotten ; and, in parting with you now, let me express my earnest hope that Harvard’s alumni may always homr the venerable institution which has honored them, and that no man whoforgets and neglects his duty to American citizenship will find his alma mater here. A public reception was subsequently tendered to the President in Faneuil Hall, which was packed with people. For an> hour they were given an opportunity to shake hands with the Chief Magistrate. When the doors were finally closed there were almost as many more people waiting: for their chance. The President then proceeded to the Hotel Vendome. Mrs. Cleveland held a private reception at the home of President Eliot in Cambridge. In the evening President and Mrs. Cleveland held a reception in the parlors of the Vendome. It is estimated that 8,000 people greeted them. Mrs. Cleveland’s praises were upon all lips. About midnight the Presidential party leit for Washington in a special train.