Thank you very much Father, Michael and father Abbot distinguish members of The Faculty. The graduates that are here with us today and the members of the student body and families and friends. You know, this is as close to a nominating convention is I want to get I wouldn't do nearly as well. May I say under other circumstances? And I don't think I can have anyone that could make me feel better and presenting me to an audience and father Michael has this disturbs me somewhat because I've always looked upon men of the cloth in the veracity. But I noticed that Father Michael will FIB for a friend just a little bit and I've enjoyed it immensely. Is Adlai Stevenson used to save flattery's? All right, if you don't inhale it. And you may have noticed I was breathing deeply all during the time. This occasion does remind me of that day when we dedicated the library here at Saint John's is very beautiful abbey church, which is an inspiration onto itself. One can never come to these surroundings without being inspired and deeply impressed. And to have been honored with an honorary degree from this University is a singular tribute. This is why I wore this rather conspicuous gone the day. I just want you to remember that it happened to me you see and I shall be ready to plant the tree. Once again, I have failed before only to try again. But please make sure that this tree this tree survives with the blessing of the Lord and they help of the gardener. You know, it's very difficult to know what to say on a commencement occasion. And most of the The Graduate say say little and get it over there, but you know me better than that happened. By the way, I brought along with me today and former governor of this state former secretary of agriculture who is now in private life and it's been visiting with mrs. Humphrey and myself he and his wife Jane and I sense there is a degree of informality here, which I love may I suggested my friend and former Governor Orville Freeman stand so you can see that he's here. Now, let me start right out by giving the graduates some good sound advice. Bob Hope Spokane, Georgetown University some years ago and he looked over the assembled graduates and their friends and he said that you were about to graduate and go out into the world. My advice is this. Don't go. But I'm afraid but I'm afraid that since I know Bob Hope and since there isn't much chance that you will have that option that I can't really give you that advice. the old cynic Aldous Huxley 1 Savage I have peered into the future. It will not work. So you see there's there are those that are somewhat negative but Albert Einstein said I never look to the Future it comes soon enough. So that'll take care of the future. You can take your choice. But I want to visit with you today. An area or should I say within the context of the times in which we live with some historical perspective both backwards and forwards. I imagine they're hardly be a commencement speech delivered this year or next year that doesn't emphasize the bicentennial and extol the virtues that are associated with our country's moment of Independence. Well now Mark this speech down as an exception. almost without question the lessons of the Revolutionary Days Inn. Are important. I have no doubt that Americans can and will and I hope they will at least learn much of value in comprehending and overcoming our current agenda of national problems as we review our whole history. But you know to me there is a time in early American history that is even more relevant to our days. then the Revolutionary. And I want to talk to you a little bit about that. Despite the problems that the first Americans faced in severing their connections with Great Britain. this historic decision severino's connections was easier by the realization that at long last America's Destiny would be its own we would be in charge of our own life. The Slate another words was to be rubbed clean the Injustice has that caused the revolution we're over. And like many things of great excitement. It was a moment of Hope and of exhilaration and their Euphoria for our revolutionary leaders. But how different it looked just a decade later a decade after Yorktown? The unity that bound the states together during the war of independence. Had literally vanished states were regarding each others as if they were foreign powers commerce was at a standstill accusations and recriminations were responding in the halls of the Continental Congress and the Articles of Confederation offer. No system for resolving. What were they in the great disputes of the day. The optimism in the confidence that had launched our experiment in self-government had all but vanished. And then there's you recall. And since I am a sort of a refugee from a classroom and political science, let me prove my credentials a federal convention was called for me 1787. To consider only how the Articles could be made to work. But the immortal James Madison voice very grave doubts as to the probable outcome of that gathering in 1787. He wrote. Novare res and when expectations can be indulged the probable diversity of opinions and prejudices renders the issue totally on certain the existing embarrassments in Mortal diseases of the Confederacy formed the only ground of Hope but a spirit of concession on all sides may be produced by the general chaos. In other words things were so bad. There was only one thing that you could do. Hopefully get better. Now a year earlier George Washington had urged his countrymen in a very statesmanlike message to focus their attention on the broader purposes of their common Endeavor and Washington was like a voice in the wilderness popular in the war and that popularity some siding in the difficulties of self-government and he wrote is he appeal to our countrymen let prejudices unreasonable jealousies and local interest yield. Let us look to our national character and the things beyond the present moment no more and he said no more never gone more favorably than ours and no day was ever more crowded than the present. Wisdom and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm in the quote. There was a great leader of our country telling us that literally doomsday was in hand. Now the political crisis that led the federal Convention of 1787 and ultimately produce the Constitution tested the American character to a far greater degree than had the war of independence. And a mixture of Despair and self-confidence that characterize the labors of the founding fathers during the Spring in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia is a far closer approximation of the attitudes that have been decisive throughout American history. What course and did these Great Men of our history? Follow? Well, despite their Monumental differences of opinion and interest and they surely had them. It was never a course of defeatism or of discourage to the contrary. The founding fathers literally seize the moment to design a new system of government. What they talk would be capable of bringing order and Justice to the people of the United States. Now it should be noted and it has been noted that the delegates to the federal convention exceeded their Authority. And taking this decisive step. In other words, they were unconstitutional in the beginning. They had been charged only with amending the Articles of Confederation. They put that modest suggestion aside the first week. They were in Philadelphia. They were willing and other words to risk the consequences. Because they understood that to-do list was to make the dissolution of the Union certain. Now my point is that it was the founders willingness to risk. Mattress by their optimism optimism by their faith and their confidence in the ultimate wisdom of their actions that saved the Union. Scarcely a decade after its separation from Great Britain. And it has been these two characteristics. May I say to the graduates and to my fellow Americans these two characteristics a sense of adventure and pioneering and a willingness to take a risk? Combined with a mature self confidence and optimism that historically have been at the roots of the American character. This we have to remember. But one more ingredient was very essential. In that spring and summer of 1787. And that ingredient was a willingness to compromise on even the substance of the new constitution. Today the word compromise looked upon as an evil word. And yet if there are any two words that are required for a democratic government. It is fairness. and compromise the compromises between large and small states between the manufacturing areas and the agricultural areas. These are not easily reached more than once the entire Enterprise of our constitution almost collapsed but the acrimony and the bitterness which was so evident than that convention slowly drained away is the delegates found much to their surprise. The compromise solutions could be hammered out and accepted am I die quickly and it was all done behind closed doors. Not a single Observer was permitted. No, press obviously no radio or television. It wasn't there and as history tells us they even attached to people to Benjamin Franklin one occasion became careless particularly after a little spirits and was prone to tell what was going on in the deliberations. So it was not open government. It was very much in secret. In the shadow of his remarkable life that beloved Benjamin Franklin than 82 years of age captured the spirit of the occasion in the accommodation in his historic address to the convention after the final report had been prepared and the members were getting ready to sign or not to sign. And you remember it was Benjamin Franklin who rolls and talk to the assembled delegates and here's what he said in part. I confess that I do not entirely approve of this constitution as president. But but sure I'm not sure that I shall never approve it. When you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men all of their prejudices their passions. There are some opinion their local empress and their selfish needs. Send Benjamin Franklin on to safe from such assembly. Can you affect can you expect a Perfect Production? a self answering question that's Franklin said I can tempt her I can sense her to this can Constitution because I expected no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best. End of quote. I'm afraid today in Franklin would have been called a vacillator. Ambivalent not sufficiently precise not sufficiently pure of heart and purpose. But he knew that in the depth of reality. He had to do the best that he couldn't. I mention these events surrounding the writing of the Constitution not to get off my chest. Once again, my limited knowledge of early American history. But because I believe they are at the heart of America's continuing experiment in self-government. a willingness to take a risk the pioneer A sense of optimism and self-confidence a capacity for compromise and accommodation and without it there can be no self. Time and again these three characteristics and stood as well and brought us through National trials and difficulties far more imposing than anything that even confronts us today. Even though today you're led to believe that this is the worst of all times that everything is gone and that we're over the hill and Americans lived its best days. And I know we've had our troubles. believe me one is tempted. However, the recite the Litany of national adversity. I just want you to put today in proper Focus. There were C-sections movements in this country to split up this Union and its infancy as early as the 1800s long before the Civil War. The first Chief of Staff of the United States. Army was accused of being a Trader at in the pay of the Spanish Emperor. We had corruption beyond anything we've ever dreamed up or ever heard of even in present days and Lambs candles that make the worst of corporate and political Scandal seem timid and moderate. Immigrants to our Shores were herded together in our cities and they were exploited and they were subjected to violence and discrimination. We invaded Mexico as an act of naked aggression and we fought a bloody and nearly catastrophic Civil War the most bloody war ever fought on any continent. We created a cruel and vicious caste system in the aftermath of that war and for fully a century we maintain the system. I believe he sanctioned exploitation of blacks and other minorities. We had a we had post Civil War corruption the credit mobilier a and others the rape of our natural resources the plundering of the land and our people by the railroad Barons the Industrial Revolution brought huge trusts and monopolies that function with little regard to the public interest children were exploited at the factories in child labor. We refused to join the League of Nations. We closed our eyes to Hitler's incredible inhumanity towards Europe's Jews. We lived through a Great Depression that brought our economic system to the brink of collapse. We fought in Korea and then a tragic war in Vietnam. All of this is part of our history. And it's not a pretty picture. But if you're going to be honest with yourself. We must also recognized that the attitudes and the beliefs that save the federal convention in 1787 existed concurrently with this darker side of the American character. We survived all of this. And who's stronger? We survived these adversities and progressed as a free Nation by risking greatly by retaining our self confidence and optimism and by compromising what seemed to be totally hostile and incompatible points of you as a result some in justices were rude about leaving plenty more for us to work on our democracy was refined but not made perfect and the security and happiness of our people was advanced. I remind this audience that our constitution it speaks at We the People does not ask that we be perfect. It says that we seek a more perfect union. When I'm asked what is my goal in life? It is simply this to do better. No one can do it perfectly amongst us Earth Lake characters. There are no Saints in politics. Are government and I if any I doubt any in business or organized labor and possibly one or two in the academic world. But what are the American but what of the American character today? That's what's important. There is abundant evidence that we may be experiencing according to many people a fundamental change in our national attitudes. We find ourselves in a national mood is both reticent Integrity. We know too many people today who want to play it safe to avoid Adventure in their lives or their careers and who I'm willing to try anything. That's new. This is true regrettably in many areas of Education that surely true and business and corporate life and it is all too true in government. Every opinion poll tells us of the Public's growing cynicism in disenchantment with all of society's institutions the presidency the Congress the Court's business the church the family the educational establishment and so on Down the Line cynicism is the rule of the day. Some people intend to prove their brilliance by being more cynical than anyone else. We have to ask them. What happened? Where is this sense of optimism and self-confidence? It is always set this country apart from other nations. Finally we encounter a growing on willingness to accept compromises and accommodations at alderley permit a nation of this size and of this diversity of people. the function the sense of community that makes compromise possible Seems to be having to wait in his place. We count encounter a very disturbing Trend toward self-aggrandizement determination to look out for number one. Regardless of all considerations now, this is the picture that many people in other parts of the world sea of America. And that increasingly dominates the mass media. And I suspect it is a picture that more and more Americans believed to be accurate, but I raised the question. Is it the true picture? I recognized it as only a partial and very incomplete picture. Of the United States as I know it. That doesn't mean that what I've recited has not been true. But the recitation is incomplete. One of the most unfortunate habits of mass media motivated. I'm sure by a desire for objectivity and Independence is a constant repetition of an individual shortcomings. My concern is that the duty to expose corruption and it is a duty. and the abuse of power Chipotle for shortcomings and Injustice is in our society. May not be balanced in the mask video by the reports of the other America that most of us encounter daily. and America of compassion and America of generosity and America courage An America of sharing and of commitment. And America bro, and I've ever wider participation in the Affairs of government by its people. I submit that there is another side to the American character that we seldom find reported. Compressor covered by television we experienced this American our daily lives and we see it in our communities. It is the America that openly acknowledges its failures and Imperfections, which is not a sign of its weakness but its strength as this country Shirley did in Vietnam Where we now know that as a world power, we had a half World Knowledge. And where we now know that we substituted power for knowledge. Which was inevitable in its consequences? I'd America also recognizes our country's continuing ability to learn from mistakes. And we have learn the War Powers Act. For example the election and campaign reform legislation as the aftermath of Watergate. For example And we become more forward-looking in the aftermath of defeat. We grow stronger from tension and we've grown more Humane from pain. We've used adversity as an instrument for progress. I'm a child of the depression. And out of the depression which took so much from a pain so much. That was good. the reform of the banking system of the stock market the social security system for elderly the recognition of the human values of our society We learned only from pain. And all about red Varsity we grew the better. Thee Shirley where they attitudes is sustained the founding fathers. And I submit that they have been recaptured in the words and the actions of many of the great leaders of our country. I recall particularly the admonition of the late President Roosevelt Franklin Roosevelt as he assumed the presidency. He said our country needs bold persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it if it fails admit it and admit it frankly and try another but above all try something. Adventure optimism confidence and it was just saying Roosevelt to observed. The only limit to our realization of Tomorrow will be our doubts of today. I hope they will let that sink into our very Soul and Spirit. This attitude I truly believe is one of the essential ingredients in building a nation that merits our pride and the commands are participation and support. Yes, like in the words of The Tale of Two Cities we live in the worst of times but also in the best of times. But their friends it is always been dust. always Each generation has found himself confronted with great challenges and problems. Which made possible great opportunities? Each generation has faced the same doubts and discouragement that many of you experienced here today and that today occupy. So, another place in our national life. Each generation has made its own contribution. farts trying to form a more perfect union and ask him our country's earliest moments that willingness to Pioneer to risk to Adventure supported by our healthy robust belief and self-confidence and Faith tempered by the capacity to compromise have been the decisive factors and sustaining the greatest political experiment of all times the American democracy. And it is this realization of these qualities in your lives. And graduates among your generation of Americans that once again will decide the future. No one can decide it for you nor should they no one should make it easy for you nor will lay. So let us cherish. No Illusions. The future is always is uncertain. and dangerous and as are even as our spirit is bright. and resilient John F. Kennedy was mentioned here today. Let me conclude my remarks with his challenge to us as a Young Man. And those thousand days of his presidency. These words mean everything to all of us. He said Peace and Freedom do not come cheap and we are destined all of us here today. Tell me about most if not all of our lives in uncertainty Challenge and peril. the words of a brave man with great spirit and high hopes join me then insane Soviet. Thank you.