Valedictory Address

“Vernon B. Copp Delivers 1948 Valedictory, U.N.B.; World Unrest” Daily Gleaner (15 May 1948): 4. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

Your Honor, Your Lordship, Mr. President, Members of the Senate, Ladies and Gentlemen:

The time has come for the graduation of another class. This time it is the class of ’48 and although it may be merely another annual event to the faculty and to the residents of this city, to those of us who receive degrees it is much more than that. It is the attainment of a goal which when first set seemed very far off. Our eyes were focused on a degree when we came to the University of New Brunswick a few years ago, but now that that goal has been reached we must adjust our sights to another and higher target.

The attainment of the future, however great, will be, I submit, merely a reflection of the past. The seeds of future accomplishments are already sown, and it remains only to us to see that they are well watered and fertilized. Although w have only ourselves to blame for our shortcomings, we have many to thank for our achievements. I hope I will not be accused of being trite if I spend a few minutes expressing sincere thanks on behalf of my classmates and myself.

First of all, I would single out the University. By the University I mean not the buildings and grounds, which themselves are to be admired - but rather the warmth of the spirit created by a number of years of close association with professors who really care and with friends on whom you know you can rely. Friendships created here over the past four years will never be forgotten, and indeed, we have no desire to do so.

Patience Tried

The City of Fredericton, too, deserves special praise for putting up with us. I suspect that on occasion the patience of the townspeople has been considerably tried, but many of us must thank you for acting as a home away from home during our undergraduate years. The people of this city have been good to us in spite of everything and we appreciate it.

Attempting to speak for others is dangerous at best, but in just one more item I have no hesitation whatsoever - the credit due to our parents. As I have said before, we now bear the makings of our future, be it success or failure, but many thanks for both past and future successes must go to our Mothers and Fathers. Psychologists may give all the credit to a maternal instinct, but we know one thing for certain - we appreciate it very much. To Mother and Dad, on behalf of each member of our class - Thanks!

To my way of thinking, sentiment and reminiscing have their place. However, the past has played its part and now we must make use of it to mold a better future.
The immediate future seems bright. Almost everyone seems to be quite satisfied with the employment he has accepted. The old trouble of “getting a job” seems to be absent. The consideration for the most part is which of several positions is best. Yes, those of us who are going into the world on our own at this stage do not seem to be faced with great personal problems. They all seem to be falling very nicely into line.
The problems we must face are wider and bigger than any of us as individuals. As groups we are better able to cope with them, but on national scale we are considerably better equipped. In a national and world scale too, the difficulties are greater.

State of Unrest

World War II has been over for almost three years, but the world everywhere is in a state of unrest. Everywhere we find people fearing for their homes and families. Everywhere there is famine and pestilence - and in some places there is war. In Palestine the Arabs are fighting the Jews; in China and Korea the Communists are fighting the Nationalists- and almost anywhere on the map of Europe or Asia can be seen a small skirmish of some kind which could easily develop into a full-scale war.

Fundamental Differences

Nor is it the small clashes which we fear. Rather, we fear that there is a difference in fundamental philosophies- an incompatible difference I would choose to avoid calling the battle one of the left against the right, but rather a battle of Democracy against Communism. Communism to many of us means the sort of governmental set-up which they claim to have in a far-away country. For such a fallacious belief we have no one to blame but ourselves, and our lack of interest in things which matter.

It is for us to take a firm stand for what we believe. If we prefer to live in a democracy, let us be ready and willing to do what we can to preserve it.

Karl Marx’s Works

When Karl Marx wrote his “Das Kapital” some eighty years ago, he was interested in expounding a theory of government which would be acceptable to the people. His radical theories have gained ground gradually, and although he missed on many of his predictions, the general advance of the Communist belief cannot be denied.

Looking at Communism from here in our smug way, we find no difficulty in saying quite glibly that we want no part of it. I often wonder just how we would feel if we were not getting enough to eat, if our bodies were wasting away for the want of a proper diet. In this country, there seems little possibility that the immediate future holds any danger of mass starvation, but I am afraid that there are other countries on this globe of ours which are not in such as favorable position.

Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution afforded the opportunity for the first big advance of Communist philosophy. The Russian people were not waging a revolution to initiate Communism as such, but rather to throw over the autocratic government of the Tsars. The people did not reason logically that they would prefer a Communist administration, but the work of Trotsky and Lenin forced that upon them. Trotsky and Lenin were in a position to gain control and that is just what they did. Once they had seized that control and liquidated the strongest opposition, there was really nothing to it. The common people were promised food to eat, clothes to wear, and shelter which was adequate. This was language they understood, and was something they had not had before. They knew that the Tsars had been cruel and oppressive, that the Communist control was complete and that they were promised something where they had nothing. From there on, the process was a methodical one. Large private estates and properties were distributed for the use of the peasants, returns from industry were directed to the common good, and the indoctrination of the Russian people began. You see, the procedure is a very simple one. It is relatively easy to persuade a starving people that they need a change. Just how much the people have to say about an administration matters little to them, if they see “living” on one hand and “existing” on the other.

The steady advance of the Communist philosophy in Europe and the Far East, arises, I believe, due to the oppressive actions of the people who are pleased to call themselves “the right”.

Famine and Pestilence

Communism’s steady advance follows in the wake of famine and pestilence. A wasted and dejected people are quite willing to try anything. Under similar conditions, we would probably do the same. It all adds up to one thing: if the common people do not get what they want and deserve under our democratic organization they will take steps to change it. Ordinary people do not ask for a great deal, they are relatively easily satisfied. They do not want to take from someone else that which he has gained by hard work and perseverance, but they do not wish to be pushed around either.

The Solution

In theory then, the solution is quite clear. To those of us who have a strong belief in our democracy, the task is twofold. First of all, we must make certain that people understand exactly what is meant by Communism- that it is not the process of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, but rather, the complete regimentation of a whole people by a few top members of the Communist party. Secondly, we must make certain that everyone is properly fed, clothed and sheltered. It is all very well to say that a man’s success rests on his own ability, but many men have a great disadvantage at the start.

The spreading of the true meaning of Communism should be both clear and complete. It is important that young minds get a full view of just what is meant by it, before a warped picture is carved on that mind by some other influence. Impressions are easily created, and often very difficult to be removed. It is for us to then to see that the first impression is the right one. In regard to education too, we must see that we ourselves know just what is going on. It is so easy to confine one’s reading to a local daily newspaper, and, if we read the editorials at all. To accept exactly what they say as our own personal ideas. Let us not assume habits of laziness. But let us rather be continually on the alert to pick up knowledge and information. We must learn by bitter experience to separate the wheat from the chaff, the good from the bad, that which we want from that which we do not want. It is quite evident that the Kremlin is waging a violent and ruthless campaign of propaganda in an attempt to spread the doctrine which it champions.

The Other Side of the Picture

That propaganda campaign paints a beautiful picture of plenty under a Communist government. Yes, on the surface it is attractive, there is no denying that, but when we look behind that glossy front, what confronts us is not so appealing. We see a regimented people, held firmly in the hands of the members of the Communist Party. We see a government in which only one party is tolerated, an organization which permits no dissenters. All criticism is banned and any serious opposition is quickly removed. It is hard for us to picture such a state of affairs - a state where there is only one party where all opposition is immediately liquidated and freedom of thought and action is an unknown quantity. However, such a State does exist indeed under a Communist rule I cannot see how it could be otherwise. Of necessity there must be no one against.

To Preserve Democracy

The second task in preserving our Democracy is more concrete and is one which we would do well to remember. It is to make certain that people are not oppressed. The world is quite capable of producing sufficient to keep its population from starving.

People who do not have enough to eat, or are unable to shelter themselves properly, are naturally on the lookout for something different. They reason that any change would be for the better, and are therefore ready and willing to follow the first demagogue who comes along - and the chances are he will be a Communist. You cannot blame people in lowly circumstances for seeking to better their lot. Most of us would doubtless do likewise. Our Democracy is based on a faith in the capabilities of the individual. We must give each individual an opportunity to expand himself and his lot, but we must also be ready to aid those who are not quite so fortunate. Allow a broad field for the expression of the individual, but let not one man rise at the direct expense of others.

If we have faith in our way of life, we will attempt to learn more about it, spread what we learn, and be ready to defend it to the very end!