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 KAPPA SOCIETY a Committee to render you the cordial thanks of the Society for your admirable Address, delivered last evening, and to request a copy for the Press. Respectfully and truly yours, A. C. TWINING, G. P. FISHER. Professor WHITE. STATE OF NEW YORK, _Senate Chamber_, _Albany, Aug. 30th, 1866_. GENTLEMEN, Accept my thanks for the very kind expressions regarding the Address which, in accordance with the request conveyed by you, I forward herewith. With great respect, Very truly yours, A. D. WHITE. Professors A. C. TWINING and G. P. FISHER. ADDRESS. In this sacred struggle and battle of so many hundred years,--this weary struggle of truths to be recognized,--this desperate battle of rights to be allowed;--in this long, broad current toward more truth and more right, in which are seen the hands of so many good and bad and indifferent men,--and in the midst of all, and surrounding all, the hand of very God,--what political institution has been most vigorous against this current,--what political system has been most noxious to political truth and right?--in short, what foe, in every land, have right and liberty found it hardest to fight or outwit? Is it Ecclesiasticism?--is it Despotism?--is it Aristocracy?--is it Democracy? The time allotted me this evening I shall devote to maintaining the following Thesis: OF ALL SYSTEMS AND INSTITUTIONS, THE MOST VIGOROUS IN BATTLING LIBERTY,--THE MOST NOXIOUS IN ADULTERATING RIGHT,--THE MOST CORROSIVE IN EATING OUT NATIONALITY, HAS BEEN AN ARISTOCRACY 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 ever has 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 of oppression, is the foe which takes deepest hold;--Despotism and Ecclesiasticism are dragons which get their claws far deeper into the body politic;--for Despotism clutches more temporal, and Ecclesiasticism more eternal interests.