Alumni Oration

"'Education and Life,' The Alumni Address" (12 May 1938). (UA Case 67a, Box 2)

Your Honor, Mr. President and Faculty, Members of the Senate, Fellow-Alumni, and Alumnae, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is indeed a great honor to be given the privilege of addressing you on this occasion, for the few minutes assigned me, in the name of the Alumni of this institution; and to be given free rein: no warnings, no thou shalt nots, no inhibitions, no censorship. This attitude indicates that you stand for freedom of thought and speech; free to seek the truth wherever it may be found, free to voice the best which has come to you. When we look over the world today, this is no small advantage. What is there which so moves one to do his best, give himself to the task assigned him, weigh well his words, scrutinize his acts, as to feel that he is trusted, put on his honor. It is in the atmosphere of freedom, a freedom which calls for high endeavor, and takes honor for granted, that we get the best in intellect and character. Prohibition is set up to take care of weaklings, freedom is for those who would be strong: regimentation is not the way to righteousness. When however liberty runs into laxity, discipline must call back to freedom; for laxity is self-inflicted bondage, one of the most destructive forms of slavery. Man's latent powers and abilities are developed as he sets them free, and puts them into practical operation in the world in which he lives: in short by hard work and wise application. It means education translated into life.

It is a long look back since I graduated from this University in 1889. And perhaps in looking back I may idealize things as I see them at this long range. But, you have heard it said that no good biography is ever written, until the lapse of 100 years, in order to get a just perspective. Personally I am convinced that I can give a fairer estimate now, of what the University stood for in my day, than I could have given when I was a student here and saw at close range.

This Province is still very young. My great-grand-fathers on both sides of the house, were among the pioneers who came here into a virgin country. There was everything to be done. They brought little with them, save a sense of loyalty to constituted authority, a sturdy character, a love of liberty, the spirit of determination, the will to work, and an abounding faith. In such a brief period, as measured by history, it was a great accomplishment to have set up a provincial system of education, crowned by this University. You have made great strides since my day. You have been reaching out to meet the demands of the new day, and you will continue to do this. But in that day a worthy foundation has been laid, standards set up, capable teachers had been sought out, men who would have graced any institution of learning at that time,—scholars and gentlemen. They were honored and respected in the community, they stood for the best things intellectually, civically, spiritually. With them education, life and character were interwoven. This is as I see and think of them today. And this impress has remained with me through the years, and has meant very much as time has gone on. I do not want any so-called inside information, if there be such, which will take away this ideal. And I want to feel that what was true then, has been and is true today. The young men may not sense this, but, as the years go on, it will come home to them more and more, and be a great incentive in life. And let me say here that when I use the term men, it is intended to include all students,—male and female.

For me there has always persisted a lingering feeling that my teachers gave me something to live up to; and that I must not dishonor them. However frivolous our ways or great our follies, we recognized that they stood far above us in the attainments of life. And we felt they had done this by hard work, and diligent application. And when they required hard work of us, if we were to be credited with respectable standing, they were but commending a road which they had travelled. Amidst the general clamor of the world about us today, for easy comfortable lives, shorter hours, social security, freedom from exacting labor, it is of great value to have an institution, which crowns the educational system of this Province, insisting on high standards, hard work, diligent endeavor, as the sure road to stable civilization, sound character, and manhood. When faculty, governing board and alumni are at one in this conviction, the influence of the institution will be felt down and out through the whole body of the citizens of the land. Those of us who have shared in her privileges, must ever remember that much is expected of us, if we are to pass on that which has been committed to us, and thus preserve our honor and hers.

We must remember that a University, like an individual, has a soul, a character, foundation principles, standards, an inherent something which none may sin against, whether faculty, student, alumni, or governing board. Short sightedness, and silly immaturities, the growing pains of youth, may be overlooked in student days, but there is a centre which knows no compromise. Before this every loyal son bows and salutes. We try to express it in the words, "Our Alma Mater." As education broadens and life deepens, this comes home to us with renewed force. Whatever other institutions one may attend, however far afield one's calling in life may carry him, he never can forget, nor fail to honor and respect the institution which started him out in life, and helped him to lay foundations on which to build. "The rock from which he was hewn, the hole from which he was digged" ever remains holy ground. When, early in life, one has been taught to "meet on the plumb, act on the level and part on the square," he cannot in after life lightly depart from this way.

In my day the courses of study were largely prescribed. This seems much out of step with modern methods; yet in looking back, I question whether or not I would have had wisdom enough to choose as wisely as that which had been outlined for me. It covered a wide field and gave us an inkling of how very much there was awaiting those who had the will and courage to press on. We were taught, by inference at least, what my teachers in another institution constantly voiced in no uncertain words: viz, that when we graduated, we were not to imagine that our education had been completed; but that we had just entered upon the road. All they hoped to do for us was to open the door, stimulate the desire for knowledge, cultivate an appetite for learning, show us some of the methods of approach, and reveal to us some of the conclusions of other seekers after truth. If we would honor our profession, then we must continue to be students all our days: methodical, diligent, open-minded.

While it may seem, that few of my courses in College had any direct bearing on my profession, I am convinced that, indirectly, every one has been valuable. A broad general foundation is of great value for any profession. Specialization can well afford to wait, if one wishes to build wisely. One who has his heart set on immediate returns, if not guided by wise counsellors, is apt to choose what may be called bread and butter courses, and in the end find himself short of bread, with no butter, and nursing a disappointed spirit. The point is, students should think well and seek competent advice before setting out, and continue to consult those of maturer judgment. One constantly finds men filled with regrets because they had not early learned this lesson.

There is a spirit of ease abroad in the land, one which moves to seek short cuts, avoid hard work, look for advancement by the method of pull rather than push, be satisfied with the mediocre, to march with the crowd, win its praises, eat the bread of idleness, or filch it from the unsuspecting by dishonorable means. We have all too many who have just enough education to make them a menace to society; those with just enough culture to disguise the barbaric elements in their nature,—elements not yet civilized and brought into harmonious subjection. Some manage to live within the law, while others openly defy it. One is often in doubt which of these two classes is the greater burden to carry, which does more to destroy nations and people.

At all costs we must maintain the institutions which stand for education and character. All right thinking people must rally around and support them. They must be regarded not as luxuries, but as prime necessities for the well-being of the whole body. We must have leaders in the many fields of our complex civilization, those in whom dwell enlightened minds and enlightened consciences, those who bring to the community where they live, an example, an influence, a contribution which enriches, ennobles, and uplifts. We must be willing to commend, support and endow that which stands above and makes possible a stable material wealth, social happiness, culture and prosperity.

And those who have enjoyed the advantages and privileges of such institutions must realize how great a responsibility rests upon them. For, in the mind of the public, institutions are judged by their product. It is we who commend or condemn, honor or dishonor our Alma Mater. In us is seen, more strongly than in our words, the justification for asking, from the public, improved equipment, larger opportunities, increased endowments. As the graduates go out into the field of life and show they know how to meet its problems, bear its burdens, render acceptable service, give account of themselves as men of character and usefulness in their various positions and occupations, win the love and respect of the communities where they live, it is thus that they will bring joy and satisfaction to their teachers, and justify the interest and bounty of those who have planted and watered the institution. This comes home with ever increasing force as the years multiply, and we get a clearer vision of the true meaning of life. However brilliant one may be in some one particular branch of learning, there can be no deep satisfaction in being a nobody in the broad field of life. Nor can one ever be accounted a success and worthy of honor, who, in his own private life, is gnarled, twisted, dissipated, sour, friendless, unlovely. Men cannot live apart from the world and be men; and to be men they must cultivate that which other men can honor and respect as they appear in their midst. For, what we are in ourselves counts for more than what we do. The supreme product of the world is men,—men who in themselves, apart from their profession, are loved and respected. Read the lives of some of our great captains of industry, and note how, in their latter years, they prized the goodwill of their fellow-men. Some, who in their early years, had sinned grievously against the standards of society, for the sake of gain, later gave evidence of repentance by their generosity and good works.

Great advances have been made in many fields of learning, in scientific discovery, in invention, in skill, but who can fail to see the perplexity which abounds in every land today regarding the outlook of civilization. Manifestly there is a fundamental lack of that which harmonizes man's attainments, and enables him to build on a solid foundation. To go on, first building and then destroying as we have been doing for centuries, is so insane, that it bids us stop to analyze our modern ways, manners and institutions. Surely there is a way, by which nations and people can live together in peace and good will, enjoy the fruits of education, industry, culture, and refinement. And we all must know that one of the secrets of that way is high morality, in the broader meaning of that word: a keen sense of right and wrong, honor and dishonor, justice and injustice, kindness and friendliness. We try to express it all in the phrase, Christian character. And where shall we look for leaders in this field if not in our many institutions of higher learning. When high intellect and refined character enter the various professions, stand their ground and refuse to give way, they must win in the end. If the young men and women of today have an impression that every profession is so crowded, that the way is difficult, let them be assured that this is a day filled with opportunity for those who will rise to meet it. Never have we had so many positions to be filled, never has there been a more persistent call for competent persons to fill them. It may call for patient waiting and some anxiety, and this may be a part of the preparation, but eventually the way will open for those who prove their worth. And by this I do not mean just the unusual, a selected class of super-brilliants. It is true for all who will try to make the best of what they have, cultivate a disposition, a character, an intellectual grasp, and manifest a willingness to serve in the field for which they are best fitted. We are short everywhere of those of the right type. It is true in my own profession, and I get the same story from those in other callings.

There are any number of applicants, those willing to accept the position, and draw the emoluments; but it is far from easy to find those filled with the spirit of service, and willing to give of their best. There is no position which cannot be better filled by a person of education and character, than by one of the opposite type. There is still large room for professional men, who know how to win the confidence of their clients by their character and personality as well as by their technical knowledge and skill. I am frequently asked to recommend such men.

We need more men of character and education who will settle in our small towns and rural communities, accept a modest living and become leaders of the people. Many a man who is pining away in a city might here find opportunity for a very happy and fruitful life.

Perhaps one of the fields which is calling loudest today for men of character, ability, and purpose is the field of politics. It is most unfortunate that the words politics and politician have become synonymous with crookedness and dishonor. We need those who will give their lives and their talents to redeem these words, and make them stand for honor and sacred trust. It is an enormous task and calls for great courage and self-sacrifice, but the call is loud and persistent. Many nations in the past have fallen into decay because this call was not heeded, others are today on the danger list,—yours and mine.

The world has always been ruled by minorities with convictions, those aggressive and persistent; and truth is stronger than falsehood, virtue than vice, honor than dishonor, light than darkness. If we ourselves are educated men, lovers of truth, students, workers, let us prove it in the field of practical life; let us hear the call of the world about us, and go forth with ever increasing courage to prove ourselves "workmen who need not be ashamed."