Graduation Address

"Address to the Graduating Class" Brunswickan 42, 7 (August 1923): 269-71. (UA Case 67, Box 1)

When I received the kind invitation of your good chancellor to be present here today and address a few words to the graduating class of 1923, I felt that the honor of doing so should have been delegated to some one gifted with a greater flow of eloquence and possessing a better knowledge of the requirements in ceremonies of this kind. But when I recognized that the U.N.B. had become the crowning point of our educational system, I decided that, as Premier of the province, I should at least show by my presence, if not by my eloquence, that this university occupies today more than ever before a very warm corner in my heart.

Another reason for my presence here today is to be found in the fact that the official act which fell to my lot on assuming the duties of office in February last was to confirm the decision of your Senate not to allow the U.N.B. to lose its identity by becoming affiliated with the Carnegie scheme for the amalgamation of the universities of the Maritime Provinces, marking a turning point in its history and thus making it possible that the splendid traditions of this university would remain as part of the education heritage of New Brunswick. If any doubts existed as to the wisdom of the decision of the Senate and the Government, they have certainly been dispelled by the presence in Fredericton this week of so many old graduates, flocking here to give evidence by their keen interest and glowing enthusiasm of their love for and faith in their old Alma Mater. An institution that can arouse such interest and enthusiasm in its graduates must certainly be assured of a bright future.

I have been asked, ladies and gentlemen, to say a few words to the graduating class. There is so much to be said to those who are closing the doors of their Alma Mater to begin the serious battle of life in the outer world, that one finds himself almost at a loss to know where to begin and where to end. The problems that confront the graduating student are numerous and very serious indeed. I could take up considerable time in pointing out some of the problems to be met, as well as many of the difficulties in the way of their proper solution, but as the time at my disposal will not permit, I will content myself with asking the graduating class of this year to review the past history of the institution, and there they will discover sufficient to imbue them with all the courage necessary to go forth and wrestle form this old world of ours that fame, success and recognition which have fallen to the lot of such a large number of the former students of the U.N.B., in the judiciary, the church, the medical profession, in the commercial and industrial life and in all branches of science.

They will discover that the splendid principles which found the foundation of teachings of this institution will stand forth as bulwarks against the onslaughts of modernism, and will enable them to overcome the very obstacles which to them may appear at first sight the most formidable. Emulate the examples set by those who have gone before you, follow in the line perseverance, integrity and honest determination which have characterized your course during student life and the world is yours.

I deem it proper to point out, however, not only to the graduating class, but to the entire student body, what I consider a duty incumbent upon them as they assume their places in the active life of the province. While it may be true that one's first duty is to oneself, there comes a time in the career of all of us when the call of patriotism should not be resisted. Good citizenship does not consist alone in obeying the laws of the country and striving to obtain personal gain or success. The thought of doing everything possible for the progress and prosperity of our country should occupy a considerable portion of the life of every patriot. More than ever before in its history New Brunswick needs in its public life men of stern qualities, men of deep thought, of broad views and far-reaching vision. Those who have grown grey in the service of the province will in the natural course of events soon pass to the great beyond.

The younger generation of men and women going out from our universities, endowed with knowledge and youth should not forget that they can, by proper application fo these qualities, render an immense service to their province. I make bold to express the hope that in the very near future, New Brunswick will have the benefit, in its legislative halls, of the profound thought and stern logic of a goodly number of the 1923 graduates in an endeavor to solve the political and economic problems that beset our legislators today.

And in conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, may I be permitted also to express the hope that you will use your talents in an endeavor to bring about the most cordial relations possible between the descendants of the two great races that compose the population of this splendid province of ours. Cordial as those relations may be at this moment, there still remains something to do to bring about a more binding and lasting entente cordiale, one that will have for its chief aim the linking of all races and creeds in one supreme effort to make of our population a happy and contented people, and of our province a prosperous and glorious country in which to live.