Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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Class Oration MALCOLM MALLETTE MCDERMOTT. Relations of The University and State. In these practical times one does not care to theorize con- cerning the origin and evolution of the modern State. We are content to accept the situation as We find it, thankful for the heritage left us by' our forefathers, and appreciating the high stage of civilization in which it is our good fortune to live. The average individual Worries his head little in specu- lation as to the ultimate ends and destinies of the State. He regards the State simply as a means toward an end, as the best insurer of his peace and happiness. There is nothing particularly to be deplored in this purely utilitarian view-point. Society is organized for the mutual Welfare of its members. It is true that sentiment and race pride play an important part in national life, but no government Was ever set up merely to satisfy these feelings. When a State fails to meet the concrete needs of the citizen then it must of necessity give Way to a more powerful one. I am not so much interested in the attitude we take toward this institution, Whether it be sentimental or selfish, but the pertinent part for us to be alive to is that this thing we call the State is not an automatic, self-running affair. It is an organization which must be sustained. A man to live must have food, an organism to exist must have sustenance, and a State to stand must have men. The so-called Ship of State will never sail Without mariners and pilots, except to destruc- tion. Cf all the activities engaged in by man there is none to compare in majesty or importance with that of the up- building and guidance of the State. These are of vital concern to every citizen, and yet the singular fact remains that while we train men for every other profession, that of the Statesman 23

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The Nassau H erald the tax payers in England, where stoppage at the source is used, and thus the full income taxed, pay three times as many taxes as the other half who can only be reached by self-assessment. Is it any Wonder that many economists call this the most unjust of all taxes? In our own country With our great area, our vast farming interests, and diversity of industries, these evils would be greatly increased. To sum up: I maintain that an income tax is not expedient in our country in the the irst place because it is impracticable as proved QU by the experience of England, Qzj by the experience of the United States and fgj by the experiences of the several States, in the second place because it is unjust as is provided by the fact QU that it does not distinguish be- tween income from salaries and income from investment, and Qzj that it must depend in a large degree upon self- as- sessment, which always means evasion and injustice. 22

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The N assau H erald is practically ignored and a man who rises to a position in this vocation has usually received his training in a most incomplete and haphazard manner. The folly of such a course is appar- ent and we have only too often paid the penalty. A man is not a banker simply because he has money invested in such an institution 5 a clerk is not a captain of industry even though his desk may be in a room adjoining his employer's ofliceg neither is a low-charactered politician a statesman because a mass of ignorant voters has given him entrance to our legis- lative halls. The peculiarity of this exacting mistress known as Democracy is that she demands of every citizen that he be a statesman. It may not be for him to carry on the active functions of the government but he must at least have a statesman's foresight in selecting the men to Whom these duties shall be delegated. If the men of the country are not worthy of this trust placed in them, if they are unequal to the task, then is Democracy a failure and Despotism or Aristocracy must rule in her stead. And, I think We do not have to listen very hard to hear that cry Democracy in this country is con- tinually sending up,-a plea for more true men: God give us men! .......... Men Men Men Men Whom the lust of Ofl'lCS does not kill 5 Whom the spoils of office cannot buy, who possess opinions and a Will, who have honor,-men who will not lie, Men who can stand before a demagogue, And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking! Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty, and in private thinking. Who is to produce these men? Today there are institu tions throughout the land without number for training men in medicine, law and engineering and scores of other professions, but their slogan is, We can teach you how to amass great Wealth for yourselves. And the man who enters life with that as his central aim is not the man for Whom We are seeking. What we want are more men taught how they may give, give their strength, give their brains, give themselves to the service 24