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I.

"LEST WE FORGET."

IMPERIAL DEMOCRACY.

I.

"LEST WE FORGET." *

As educated men and women, in your hands lies the future of the State. It is for you and such as you to work out the problems of democracy. This is my justification in speaking to you of the present crisis. For a great world crisis is on us, and this year of 1898 may mark one of the three great epochs in our history.

Twice before in our national life have we stood in the presence of a great crisis. Twice before have we come to the parting of the ways, and twice has our choice been controlled by wise counsel.

The first crisis followed the War of the Revolution. Its question was this: What relation shall the emancipated colonies bear to one another? The answer was the American Constitution, the federation of self-governing and United States.

*“An address to the Members of the Graduating Class of 1898. in Leland Stanford Junior University; delivered May 25, 1898,

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