Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

Page 23 text:

Class Oration union. Such forces can be met and overcome only through the services of our citizenship. Our political responsibili- ty is of first importance. Government is one of the first things to be cared for. It is the very guarantee of our opportunities and our civilization. The relation of our Princeton training to political ac- tivity is not hard to analyze. In such a commonwealth as ours education is the cause as well as the effect of good government. We stand as exponents of liberal and efficient education. Our responsibility must be proportionately great. VVhat then characterizes efficient citizenship? Wliat are its functions and how are we specially prepared to perform them? The first characteristic of the efficient citizen is sound and discriminating judgment. He must be able to form true estimates of men, of issues and of principles. He must be able to distinguish clearly between the real and the seeming, between the true and the false, between the wise and the mistaken. This is no simple task. The complexity of our modern life gives rise to intricate problems. Issues are clouded by a ,thousand and one considerations. Lines are not sharply drawn. To judge truly is a most difficult task and yet the decisions of the citizen lie at the very roots of our political action. To see clearly, to think straight not to be misled by the superficial and the specious. That is a first requisite to efficient citizenship. For performing this func- tion our academic training has specially fitted us. A cer- tain writer recently summed up the value of a college educa- tion by saying that it enables the graduate to know a good man when he sees one. Surely this is one of its values if not the chief one. To know a good man, a good principle, a good law, a good reform when we see one. If liberal training dose anything it gives us perspective and discern- ment. It places us well up the mountain side where we get a broad view and one properly proportioned. Once judgment is passed the efficient citizen becomes a partisan. He must abide by the verdict of his judgment with unfaltering resolution. Self interest and indifference I9

Page 22 text:

Class Cration THOMAS STREET CLARK. The purpose of academic training is two-fold. It aims to give the individual greater powers of understanding and appreciation. It aims to give society a more intelligent and a more efficient service. As we leave Princeton after four years of such training, we expect to live broader, deeper lives because of our academic experience. We expect to render society larger and more efficient service in our chosen field of activity. Naturally our activities will be along very different lines. Our manner of life, our acts and aims, now cease to be the same. And so in summing up the specific relation of our Princeton training to our future activity it is difficult to find a common ground. There-is one held of activity, however, which will demand the services of each and every one of us. A field to which our preparation here bears a definite relation. We are all of us to live under a government which de- pends for its stability and efficiency upon the services of its citizens. The character and action of popular govern- ment must rest in the last analysis upon the character and action of the individuals composing it. The political re- sponsibility of the citizen is direct and all important. Our governmental institutions are new and in the larger sense untried. They are constantly being put to the test by powerful antagonistic forces. Our state was founded upon principles more or less theoretical and apparently of limited application. Guided by these principles we have developed a complex civilization tremendous in its intricacy and extent. Are our institutions fitted to the demands of such a civiliza- tion? This is a question which this generation must an- swer. As we enter upon our political responsibility com- plex and powerful forces are theatening good government on 'every side. The tremendous power of organized wealth, protesting labor and social revolution, wide spread corruption, self seeking influence of all kinds, these are as dangerous foes as ever were foreign hostility and dis- 18

Page 24 text:

The N assaa Herald must be overcome. Here also is no easy task. The com- plications and conflicting interests of our modern life, the fierceness of the struggle, self seeking of others about us, all these make it difficult to eliminate personal inclination and self interest. The absorbing activities of our modern life lead naturally to an attitude of indifference toward pub- lic responsibilities. Self seeking and indifference are the natural foes of good government. Loyal and active adher- ence to the dictates of sound judgment. This is the second characteristic of efficient citizenship. Hereftoo We are specially prepared. If Princeton has not taught us to forego self interest for principle, to disregard temporary in- convenience and loss in carrying out great purposesg if we have not learned to sacrifice self in accomplishing mighty tasks and Winning real victoriesg then indeed we have missed much of Princeton's lesson. I But the citizen's duty is not limited to Wise choice and faithful adherence. His influence must be a Wider and a more effective force. His own decision, his own ballot, the performing of his individual duty is not the end of his responsibility. Our political system is a system of leader- ship. The men of lesser ability and training must be in- fluenced and led by those better fitted. Leadership is a necessary element in every activity. It is an all important element in political activity. Leadership in this sense does not mean office holding alone. The governor of a state in- fluencing his constituents is a leader. John Jones talking to john Smith after a days work may be no less a leader. Our political failings are largely due to the fact that the wrong men, the men not fitted to lead, are influencing the people. Let the right man assert himself and the people will follow. Political education must be carried on by those who are litted mentally and morally to lead. If We have received special training then special responsibility rests upon us. By example and by active effort we must make our inliuence a real leading force. Enlightened leadership by the citizen, responsible leadership by the official, these are the real remedies for our political ills. Such leadership 20