The most Bitter Foe of Nations,
and the Way to its Permanent Overthrow.
AN
ADDRESS,
DELIVERED BEFORE THE
PHI BETA KAPPA SOCIETY,
AT
YALE COLLEGE, JULY 25, 1866,
BY
ANDREW D. WHITE.
NEW HAVEN:
THOMAS H. PEASE, 323 CHAPEL STREET.
T. J. STAFFORD, PRINTER.
1866.
New Haven, July 26, 1866.
Dear Sir,
The undersigned have been appointed by the Phi Beta KappaSociety a Committee to render you the cordial thanks of the Society foryour admirable Address, delivered last evening, and to request a copy forthe Press.
Respectfully and truly yours,
Professor White.
State of New York,
Senate Chamber,
Albany, Aug. 30th, 1866.
Gentlemen,
Accept my thanks for the very kind expressions regarding theAddress which, in accordance with the request conveyed by you, I forwardherewith.
With great respect,
Very truly yours,
Professors A. C. Twining and
G. P. Fisher.
ADDRESS.
In this sacred struggle and battle of so many hundred years,—thisweary struggle of truths to be recognized,—this desperatebattle of rights to be allowed;—in this long, broad currenttoward more truth and more right, in which are seen the handsof so many good and bad and indifferent men,—and in themidst of all, and surrounding all, the hand of very God,—whatpolitical institution has been most vigorous against this current,—whatpolitical system has been most noxious to politicaltruth and right?—in short, what foe, in every land, haveright and liberty found it hardest to fight or outwit?
Is it Ecclesiasticism?—is it Despotism?—is it Aristocracy?—isit Democracy?
The time allotted me this evening I shall devote to maintainingthe following Thesis:
Of all systems and institutions, the most vigorous in battlingLiberty,—the most noxious in adulterating Right,—themost corrosive in eating out Nationality, has been anAristocracy based upon habits or traditions of oppression.
I shall also attempt to deduce from the proofs of this a corollary,showing the only way in which such an Aristocracy everhas been or ever can be fought successfully and put down permanently.
Let me first give this Thesis precision.
I do not say that Aristocracy, based upon habits and traditions[Pg 6]of oppression, is the foe which takes deepest hold