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TIIE ATHEXb GEORGIAN : AUGUST 7,
.1877.
% fiiifrt that locomotive to reach its dot illation w thout a crash, or that ship ;
BBFOHSi THS
mo SOCIETIES 01 THE UNIVERS1H Of GEORGIA,
AT THE ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT OF 1877.
- The Ideal Statesman.
! .1,1.1 w> <ne to roaliM the .life totl,.."<lof i„ t ,v’n k Bit .lfensierpertainl.y ! Min tl..- sloriMH ,t.l,i.-vomrat» of ««• H“* " l "“ 1 ' «•» '••
1 «<•. "Vertako d» »..l it h » nrnmm,«« j *'f ZZL »W . «».«,.»» or rale, ,|,„ k
mi orator, but it is true that the power of oratory is essential to the p. r fe C
tion of the ideal statesman. In his difficult station he needs the possession
of the grandest powers, and the orator has a power which is only human
because it is wielded by man. His eloquence lifts him above lus fellows ami
arms him with a more than royal jmwer.. He sleeps with master hand all
the chords of hunuio emotion, P*ithw, mv ttlivr, ruliciilc^ KJircasin, love,
» ride safely into port without being wrecked upon the shoals, as to believe
int a country will escape political and material shipwreck which relies
(nTu&vely for its preservation upon i*t; internal strength, with no wise and
Gesti.kmkn of t*.ik Phi-Kappa and Dkmosthemak Soci ktiks.—I sin*
cerelv appreciate the consideration wlii< ii has recalled me to-day to these
familiar scenes. There is no spot on earth so prolific to me of pleasant as*
social ions, and of happy memories of tilings I would not willingly for*
get— r
“Here lies the home of eehoolboy life.
WitlLcrenkiiijf star mid wind-swept liall,
And, scarred by many a truant knife,
Our old iuilials on the wall:
Here rest—their keen vibrations mote—
Tlu‘ shout rtf voices known so well,
The riazmtf iaugii, the wailing flute,
The chiding of the sharp-tongued boll "
to
that
exclusively for it8 preservation upon i's; internal strengtl
beneficent political guidance and control. The very wealth of a country,
under such circumstances, furnishes additional incentive to the rapacity of
dishonest officials. Tlic virtue and intelligence of a people, however pure
may be the one or exalted the other, will go for naught, unless they find an
expre sion in the genius and. wisdom of the laws, and faithful exponents,in
the'officials charged with their" administration. _
' Tho fairest land*? those-tiporf which riutnre haff lavished her choicest gifts,
those with climate most kindly, soil, nuwt generous, and mineral wealth more
profuse than glittered in the cave of Aladdin, are to-«lay wastes and desert
scanty
gardly hand, to-dnv smile in the prosperity of peace, culture and. wealth,
, under the benign influence of good government, controlled by a wise pub*
i lie policy, guarding and promoting the personal and material interests of the
I citizen. And without contrasting different countries, wo, in our own expe
rience, have seen the public and private suffering and distress which accom
pany an evil or incompetent administration, and which proclaim most
I loudly the direct practical influence of good government in the promotion of
passions _ .............
then calming-their turbulence by his soothing persuasion which fall* „p 01l
and envelopes them like the weird spell of an incantation. Bannered armies
and mailed fleets are mighty and terrible, but they ate at last but gigantic
machines which the orator, like a skiliful artificer, frequently creates and
sets in motion. All classes recognize fiis, power and .yield him cheerful
homage, and every critical enterprise or i:i)|H>rUuit interest invokes his
potent aid. Even religion, whose work could he accomplished by the mere
will of Him of whom it teaches, lias enlisted him as the leader of its hosts,
and the peerless orator of ancient or modern times, was the grand apostle
who, in chains, plead the sacred cause of his Master before king A grippe
and who, standing in the midst of Mar’s Hill, to the men of Athens, declared’
the unknown God. Such a power cannot be unimportant to him who seeks
to govern, and T unhesitatingly place it in the armory of the ideal statesman
as being the most powerful weapon with which he can he equipped.
And to such purity, capacity and attainments of the model .statesman, there
should In: added untiring effort and dauntless zeal If he would gain the
1 material and social development, and progress.
Your summons to me gentlemen recalls vividly to mr mind the emotions ! Commerce, agriculture, manufactures, and all the many industries which .. , . .--- ... . , .. , , M .. ..
.f j , “ .«£ «!«>• a .»«■.<= In.1, for «,* «M lime I I flow oat of ami oaoMor to them, will in a few yean. l.-mgaMi an,I perM. •folwrt steel. wind, laves I.ke t in «e grated Ola, a, lor o hmtlanO,
J - v . » : . . ... ! 1 « • ~ — ...« J —a — >t government. : he must take all knowledge to be his province; like the great Athenian
must invoke even the stormy elements to discipline his speech,
the grand .-.postle, lie must be inspired by si devotion stronger tlism
f life.
lanucr of man is it thet. whom I would to-day present to you as
statesman qualified for either high executive or legislative office?
tihoscn people; and among the precepts and teachings of the sacred volume,
are found the recipro al duties of ruiers and those over whom they rule.
And in all profane history of all peoples, from ihovc-.the most religious and
civilized to these the most heathenish and barbaric, is tound in some well
defined shape, the institution of government . This is a fact in its univer*
aality, furnishing the moat satisfying evidence, not only of the divine insti*
Hriou of government, but also ol the constitution of the human race in such
uuitni-.v, that political government : n •*«»•!»»• i* c& r c-titia! to all communi
ta.*s, however cultivated and enlightened, or however simple ami savage.
The splendid Empire of Great Britain rests firmly upon the base of a ! servation and improvement of their morals.”
Constitution the growth often centuries, and si material wealth vast beyoud j. Truly it is a science of vast extent and transcendent.importance. In ad-
•ompotntion. Her monarch is the commander of marshalled armies, “whose j {vocacja pf : .various I’eo; Ipft.wjhple libraries have been written, and in the
morning drain beats round the world.”’ami the director of navies * * ‘ 11 — * *" 1 - - 1 v— i
won fur her the proud title ot the mistress of the seas. Around
stand in loyal support the most cultivated nud brilliant nobility of
and allegiance is acknowledged to the e- own by hundreds of millions ofsul* former materially affects his every earthly interest; and while religion has
;. fit ihe African jungle the savage chief exacts obedience from a hun- often been the inspiration of liberty, free government is the best earthly
. half naked barbarians. A tew gaudy trinkets make up the wealth of guarantee oft he freedom of religious opinion and worship.
bless d wit hwise, humane and beneficent government, so the foiled con . i And say to all the world,
spirator, with deadly hate exhausting the catalogue ol all calamities, | An 1 as the ravs of light under the influence of the prison combine to pro-
denounced Anarchy as the final curse and doom of i onto. J duce the lustrous white* so all these virtues ami acquirements should blend
If t he argument has not been overstated, the vital importance of p«»liti- j„ |,j n , to constitute the accomplished, unsullied gentleman. In him should
ml science is apparent. It has been defined to be “ that part of. ethics, j f 0 „„j the model and admiration of youth, and the pride ami boast of the
which consists in the regulation and government of a nation or State, for ! , v j to j t . j-md.
the preservation of its safety, peace and prosperity; comprehending the But perfection is not given to tiinti either iivpiupauf r.or attainments, and
defence of its existence aral rights; tb*' aiigineiifati* n of its strength and
i\«mtrees, a.il the" p ytec loll oY it* cin/.n in tn. i rig-it will the pro
jects,
dred
tile clan, and the only law is found in the capricious will of the untutored
chieftain. Between these two extremes, are to Le found all the iuternieii)-
ate forms of government, under the one or the other of whieh has existen
every community or nation of which we have either record or tradition.
Philosophers in Hacing the origin of municipal government, have told in
theory, of a tine when eaeh was »i law unto himselt, and when no on c ac-
viiowiedged any obligation save his own will nod ieer»natit>n; but there is
grave reason to* doubt whether such n condiljyy tf ( epguty ever Existed,
and there is equally good basis tor the belief, that from the earliest times
until the present', every man excepting -be ..ecraioi al out-law and the semi-
mythical wild man, lias acknowledged some gqyenimctitai control.
With this as iui auctijittcl iact, it, is ?!0t of stirprise that in tfie
thousands ot years whieh have p:t»M:d, and t'-e thousands of tuilliotis of peo*
ply w ho have Iteen under its uni emitting influence and effect, the ifiotmgirar
With this estimate of the dignity and importance of political science and
of its practical application in the construction and control of government,
... .. has produced so many men of mark and pow'*iy*s-h.ia the South in the hum
the enquiry is natural as to the manner ot man who Is fit tor its admimstra- dred years of her existence. In some depastme»*8mb-may not have shown
tion. u hat should he .t lie capacity, what ‘heattainments. whatthe character •* ’ * * ’ - *
necessary t«> prepare and fit him for the exalted-trust. As the matter with
which lmlassmtitlH to »U»al is superior to all other tenqtorn) interests, he should
be preeminetit among his fellow .citizens in all those high qualities necessary
to properly constitute the lawgiver and ruler. As to him are confided the
hoiioratid preservation"q£ttJ^ country, he should he a patriot » hose most earn
est love, centreing nt th« beatibstone, should re^ch to the outmost eirciv of
the land by whieh he is$dnerre«» As lie is entrusted with large powers in
the exercise of which knppiners or misery, prosperity or adversity will result
to the people, he should be a man of genuine benevolence and broad philan
thropy, whose solicitude would inF. be limited to the interests of the rich and
e w ho
Among them society is organize*! iijs>ii the Idea that Us chief object is tlic <-"liicfly vafncfifftc'lifter because it gives op|>ortimhy for the I'iiaintcn-
the aogir.ndtzepiei.il' ajfd advantage of the rider. The laws administered * a,lcu a,lt ^ uccoiiiplishiriont of the former. Within his breast should reign the
apbVi this Tumlameiital idea, me-bui the expiession oftlie tndimited will of • t- otiscio.usness of tfiu purity of character, right motive and lofty aim, which
: he'autocrat. But as a people become cuUivrUfed, learned, civilized and j 'ri'es the unclouded brow and noble mein o1 the higher type of man,- He
ire*-, the ruler remains important only .as the exponent, and adiuintMrator ot ! should be a pian n. t greedy of gain ; for he AVhd slicks'high executive or
kiws designed for the protection aim improvumeiit of society, atid the pros j h-gishuive-office for tliojiiotw \yliich >t will yield him, is only less base than
parity and a<k‘:utceineiit of the individual interests of the citizen. . In t|,e S ho w ho priilmApE-thiphuly office for tin sake of gold.
UK case the weli being of the comtnuniiy dejn-nds exclusively ujjon the in- Hut while these virtues are essential, they are not sufficient of themselves
telHgenee ,mid humanity of tlie autocrat.* In the other the material ;uid ! lo q l,; thly one who would be a rider, for the high functions of his office,
ft >6iw'progress of the people is conn oiled and directed by the wisdom and ^' s patriotism, his philanthropy, his benevolence, his pyrity, will incite him
— ^ 1 1 * , *■- • to the adoption of those measures whieh will promote the public weal and
advance private-interests; but they do not twich him \vh:it tlio.-e measures
are, or how- they may he best secured. For tfit8,.to the natnval ability which
should characterize him who is to make or administer law, should be added
extended learning. In either of the learned professions, to be fully qualified
the follower must acquaint himself with all that j*ertaiii9 to that particular
profession; and in all other avocations it is necessary to acquire the knowl
edge peculiar* to each ; and in each there is a vast field to task the capacity,
the iudustry and the peraeveretice of him who would become a master in his
particular calling. What then *hall he the measure of the attainments of
him who would stand tinth at the type of the perfect statesman, the accom
plished ruler! It is surely not unreasonable to detnaud that he should be
qu lilied by capacity and education for the prompt and intelligent con-ider-
ation of every governmental question which may be presented for his act ion,
W’hether it relate to public interest or private right If less than this is suf
ficient, then for this highest and most important of employments, the quali
fications are less exacting than for the ordinary pursuits of li e. W th this
then as the standard, it is apparent that ho must lie possessed of a learning
which will richly entitle him to the credit of a Scholar; tor as we have seen
political science in practical operation directly or indirectly touches every
interest, affects every citizeu ai A dtiuflueitecs every business.
It cannot be said that lie must he a professional" lawyer, but it cannot bo
questioned that the thorough statesman must be well grounded in the fun
damental principles upon which rest the laws whieh fie is
administer or to lifted by legislation. He certainly cannot
istcr law who is igin ram of the principles which control
cue potent to decide upon the question of the repeal <>r modifier
who t» not informed even that siieit a law exists.
The mode! statesman cannot be such unless he is teamed in tlic whole
ocnefieence of those laws, to which obedieuce is due both from tig- gov*
amed and tl ose who govern. Willi the advancement of .civilization, gov
ernments of the former c ass have become exceedingly rare, and the Subject
with which I am to deal to-day has little or no concern , with.them. In the
ftu: er class of governments, those recognized as ftyeor representative gov
ernments, the citizen canuot led tog deep tui interest iu the character of
Ihdr legislation, the methods by which it is secured and the capacity and
Sdelity ot public officials. Y TV
Irt. thl» age so peculiarly utilitarian, when the ideal and abstract arc so
completely subordinated to the practical, in the absorbing conflicts and
complications of business, the undoubted tendency is to the depreciation
and neglect of those highest duties ot citizenship, which iu the maintenance
•f good government, can alone preserve and advance those social and mate
rial interests essential to the well-being of the community. It is unfort u-
■ately true that a very large number of our jicople, esjtecially of the most
nteiligciit class, ate indifferent, except in times ot great public emergency,
to the exercise ot those high duties by which they may influence and deter
mine the laws by which they are to be governed, and the character of the
•ffieers by whom those laws are to be enacted and administered. The idea
fc indulged in that if they are allowed the unmolested prosecution of their
business avocations, w hat is-to tin tn the unimportant -matter of politics,
may be safely left to the concern of others. This is a grave error, the dan
ger and fatality ol which can only be measured by the proportion of those
who surrender themselves to the delusion. This may have been otherwise
it. the more piimimv nays of political science, or hi the time of universal
•fliciul capacity ami integrity, ii srnli an era eier existed outside of the cn-
•f.'Htifed isle ot U opia. J?m in ilos lattir *lay, j.oliiieal science embraces
within iis scope etery materia 1 , iulerist, amt while it is a wise political
W’.ixiui’ that t-e law shoiiM inlet let’e oireeiiy with the citizen as little as is .
tviili the public good, stnl, m ttie i-naetmeiit ot.general laws which j sc *ence of political economy
•ilm.aic ‘ ‘ ‘ * 1 **
if v n-il l therefore f * unieason.-ible t« prop- < n-A. o-qq <iis<|uu"ificil i„
be a .tiler who could not result this exalted stsindsird ; ami the present
design is to present an outline of the ideal statesman, the embodiment of
those characteristics and'those acquirements' to secure -which'should he the
aim Qf oac who aspires to the high responsibilities of governing. And while
it ri true that few or none can attain the ideal perfection, it is equally true
that no man is fit for high office who does not reasonably approximate it.
That it is not entirely a fanciful and .impracticable picture which I have
drawn, the history of orr own South.furnishes abundant evidence. Time
will not allow that I should now obey the pleasing impulse to trace the
causes, hut it is a fact of w hieh I will never cease to be proud—that history
tells us of no country of equal population, which in the same period of time,
extraordinary development, but in the production of grand and historic
men, she tears comparison with none other. The renown of her warriors
Ims gone to the uttermost bounds of civilization, and in the story of their
deeds the world has again learned of tiio ehivalricitnrepidity of a Prince
Rupert,.the • efltletiess «»i a Phillip Sidney, and the courage of a Chevaiier
'Bayard. Iii thcl8tli ami 19th centuries, she has given to history two of the
foremost soldiers of modern limes - each the model .ofhis.owu dtiv, the skill
ful General, the 'patriotic citizen, the modest, stainless gentleman. They
still live enshrined In' each Southern breast, and in this presence, their
names I need not Speak. Her jurists for nearly the entire century have
presided over the judiciary of the nation, and the songs ot her poets havt
. , „ . .. pt'ii wun wmen nicy nnimeif
the principles ot the fuudamciHal hfw, time and revolution have b en unable
to eradicate, and the inip’ e^.of..thyir gynius upon fhe character of the gov
ernment, an ocean of blood has not wa-hc ■ out. W en this government
had existed foity-eiglit years, during forty of iIms? years. Southern men
filled,, the I’rosideiili il office. They wer.6 all ri ids .’-ireifc linen, aiul around
them stood.that grand art ay of historic statesmen iih... in ability into-
learning. : " ‘ “ ’ ' * * - * ’
i'll v,
within the limits of the South, point to men
patriotic devotion, in aipaeity and learning, tried at
A'-uig,
purity of character, iu
address with congratulations that the important interests of government
orgainzat'on ol
«• ,r w! comm ssion-—were given inquisitorial
powers aml-charged with the enforcement of the test, how startUng in all
aenousiK-ss would be the results tn this country. Doubtless, ao imf of the
Na.cs would be deprived ot the services of their Governors, and passing bv
State legislatures, m Congress, the Senate would lose some of its mem^ri
Commerce, nianufiioturers, agrieulture, pro
wiil.iii the legilm.aie scope ul legislation, ami iii tfieir mlmii isiration, i trw Hade tmd finance, ettclt ts a \ast science
according to tl.e wi.-dum or mnv *d" otticiais and their measures, every mdus ! lo u,e ot "‘ r > » , " i 1,1 V* h IS IH ° Sl dosd * v co,,t:cr,K ‘ a :,il lhe 1 d , tt:nls , ot l ,n ’: lu
try w jj| \, t . j|fiy,-tyd lor .r..ud ur*u»r ill. {and piivatc interest. J«> he igntirant of them is to be unable to deternum
Bit
to return more immediate.y to my direct
urers, agrieultuie, pro- fsianuard of the ideal SUaiesuum is properly so lii”l
*j| iwel^i each is.related i tice are the cnaracters and capacities of tuose wTn
" “* 1 peak
1
Revenue, taxation a d cxpcuuilurc, j*roteclion to peculiar industries
-••tl Ireo tiauc, the t*se ot lim-jinblic credit, public education, intvroai mi*
inoveiiicuts, the ciimiui.l laiv in all i.s varied phases between the extremes
•f license t<> entile and the mjtist and lyraiin.eal oppression of innocent men;
*he»e niid a score ot« n.er sui.jivta ot legistaiion and adn iuistration, caunol
fiitl deeply and directly to aliccl every eii.zen jiossesscd of any personal,
■octal, or uiatviial iiit< rest in the community.
All experience shows that continued bad government is as fatal to the
mulct L-d prosperity oi a eouuiry, as the deadly simoon is blasting to the best
efforts of the. hiishnnuniaii; w fiile a w ise an i beneficent udmmiftiyitidu is
Lke the genial sun and getule rains of spring which clothes the earth with
greets atid cause the -buns to blossom into beauty. In vain will a people
who neglect.to shape their laws uud secure competent and faitluul officials,
ccly for tfieir security upon tue.r material wealth or their private virtue.
A locomotive with a full t.ead oi st« am may rush smoothly upon the track
bur a time, although ‘ tliete is no engineer* to control aud regulate it. A
letiutiiul and gal.;.til ship with every sail s<-t, may gliue safely for a while
over :r mhouIu s*a, adhou s> h tliere is no pilot on board to matin the rudder
line ol thought, while the
• >, what ni genera! j-r.ic-
. - no rule this 'country. Ut
_tnci.i!i\ tor there are mauy me:i of superior cxceliui -e in
ingli official position. Wuhout beiiiif soutteiiMv.. isioL^/i . ..
*.-- - ‘V VJ l»>;*»l»v*»ly administer laws ‘ der arc men ol had chambers, it canlje said with tnith t m h M !t rW “* a , , “‘
winch otueis w ild greater learning i;ave designed tt«r that purpose. And ) pure morality or even the deceni connterie t of at m this cumin >
yet who can boast ol such knowledge, or the ability to use it, except the { attainment of limb office. A notori..iw ii.h r .
profound thinker, the e. Ud.te scholar i great difficulty m the effort to read" . uouo E«e» experience
The most valuable ot all knowledge is iu the lessons of experience; with*! uali
out them, the staiesmati js but poorly equipped, and these lie must read in
it, is not a requisite t.» the
would doubtless experience
stich a position ; but while great eiinii-
what will most conduce to the public
the histories of other times, lie must learn of thoni how to anticipate the
dangers and wants of the public and be prepared to guard against the one,
and make provision to supply the other. He must know of the diseases of
which collie nations have siuKeiied and died; he must know of the means by
which others have been snatched from threatened ruin. He must be warned
to avoid the iatal mistakes ot those whose failures have brought curses nud
misery lo tfieir countries; lie must be stimulated to emulate the
incuts of those who have immortal .zed themselves in bringing happiness
prosperity to their people. With the history of his own land, he
fiitiuiiur as the student is with the alphabet; for only in this ....„ _ lol .
secure that knowledge requisite loi a pioper understanding and apprecia* high office; but how very few learned i.mf. ...» t.v if"‘c °! gUOt “'V 11 ,u
lion cf the institutions and laws of his country,i» thU^'ay can he j gratifying exceptioi, 8 there are undoubtedly^but lhe a,Uo,,ff
that if he wm resort to the necessary means he SKwUh eoSTdeS
to thost. high and tnqiortant positions uesigned not only to protect material
interests, but also to guard and promote the public t.mnd- 1
His patriotism
fiich he is
the States*
acle.than ft is
large majority
POOR COPY