Valedictory Address

“The Valedictory Address” The University Monthly (May 1919): 154-160. (UA Case 68, Box 1)

The Valedictory was delivered by A. Clarence Edgecombe; B. Sc. in C. E., who spoke in a clear voice with splendid delivery. It is as follows:

This Encaenia Day of 1919 brings again in the history of this University the passing from its precincts of still another graduating class. Four years have rolled by since first this class assembled in these halls. Our college life has been one of moral, mental and physical training, fitting us for a future of achievement. Today marks the end of our initial preparation and we step out to join our foster-brothers who are carrying on the work of the world. Today we stand upon the shore, ready and eager to set out upon the sea of life. Today our past and future seem to blend. We have long looked forward to this Encaenia and our ideal has been at last attained. For four years we have been students, even so shall we be students tomorrow in the exacting college of the wide world, where every hour will present its problems to be solved, even as they have accosted us within these walls. For all life is a school, a preparation, a purpose; nor could we now pass current in a higher college, if we had not undergone the tedium of education in this lower one.

Yet it is with no ordinary emotion that we leave these halls for the last time. The old associations and friendships are not lightly severed. Fond memories rush upon us for a moment, we would fain linger and prolong our stay where we have passed so many of the happiest days of our lives. But the call of the untried world attracts us onward, the lure of the future is upon us, and we turn our faces forward to pursue our destinies through the beaten and untrodden paths, of life.

The class that graduates today has a future o'er flowing with opportunities. Our country is just recovering from the stagnation and demoralization of the war, lately brought to so successful a close. Opportunity is knocking at our country’s door. It is we that shall share in the fruits; let us then be ambitious for success, for ''one with-out ambition is like a bird without wings; he can never soar in the heights above, but must walk like a weakling, unnoticed by the world. "It is more true men and women that our Canada wants; it is character and individuality that our country waits for. We want the new Canada to be great and strong in virtue and integrity, that she may maintain the good will and admiration of all, the world, that good will and admiration which were so greatly augmented by her achievements in •the war just completed. Let us remember that the character of a nation is the reflection of that of her people. But the future is unfathomable—what part we shall take in this great national work none can tell. ,

The Class History

As a valedictorian of the Class of 1919, precedent dictates that I relate briefly the history of our class. Four years we have lingered within these walls, tasting of joys and sorrows, but happily a preponderance of the former. The achievements of our class in the lecture room and playground were as good as the average, and better than many.

It was one autumn day in 1915 that thirty blithe youths and maidens, with curiosity in their hearts for anticipated joys of college life, climbed the hill which ably supported the assertion that the road to learning was anything but smooth. In spite of the sinister warnings so artistically adorning the trees by the pathway of the terrors that awaited us above, the curiosity of our youth urged us on, and for the first time as a Class we entered our new home, through the medium of the back door. The next night the sophomores entertained us informally, as in the manner of their kind, and we learned that the pleasure of being a Freshman at U. Í. Â. had its limitations. We were also questionably honored by being the last class favored with the bright hued bow-ties.

Active interest was shown by our class in all college societies and functions and the verdancy, characteristic of Freshmen classes, gradually disappeared. It was during our first year that the College Officers' Training Corps was given its birth and which has been so ably carried on all through our course by Dr. MacDonald and Professor Cameron.

As sophomores our class numbered thirty-four, we having lost ten and gained four new classmates. On us as sophomores fell the duty of guiding the incoming Freshmen along the straight and narrow path—though in this respect we were somewhat handicapped; due to the abolition of recognized initiation, our well meant display of authority lacked backing. That our efforts were- not without avail, how-ever, is testified by the efficiency of the present Junior Class.

We entered our Junior year with ranks sadly depleted. All the male members of our class who were physically able to do so, had voluntarily shouldered a musket and enlisted for service overseas. All that were left of the grand old Class of 1919 were three ladies and six men—and still another enlisted during the fall term. The year was indeed a hard one for U. Í. B. from a variety of causes, but the reaction was soon to come. Upon entering our Junior year, responsibilities began to devolve upon us. There was awakening within us the• truer meaning of our duties as a student.

The End Of The War

But it is to the past year we must point with pride. When we returned to resume our work at the College we had learned to love and respect; ambition, energy, above all Victory itself—seemed to pervade the whole atmosphere! The victorious Allies were sweeping back the foe; the tide had turned; the strain was over; the dawn had come. At last the ranks of our student body had ceased to decrease. It must have been very gratifying to our Chancellor and Senate to know that their "carrying on" through two years of adverse conditions was more than justified. The first of U. N. B's gallant sons returned from foreign service and resumed their studies. The ranks of our class were augmented by two of these men at the beginning of the year, and by two more before the completion of the term. With so many of her sons returning, U. Í. Â, seemed to be supplied with an incentive to activity, and the ending of the war enabled us to make a start to bring back, somewhat on a pre-war basis, the College functions. Our annual "Con," extinct since 1914, was this year our means of entertaining the friends and relatives of graduates and under-graduates. It was unanimously considered very successful.

In athletics, mainly confined to basketball, we think we have had a successful year. We think, we do not know; for the real value of sport is such that no measure for it has been devised. The idea of the early Greeks, the first to practice the manly contests, was one of harmony and order. Athletic games were valuable in cultivating the habits of a virtuous disposition and in building up a healthy body, a necessary attribute to a strong mind. The palm of victory was to approach and encourage an active interest. But he who can reckon one success of an athletic season by the mere weighing of victories against defeats makes a mistake; the value can only be reckoned in terms of character. We think we have the right spirit at U N. B.—The spirit of co-operation.

Our Debating Society had a most successful year. The Saturday night debates were very well attended and from the standard shown by the under-graduates in the forum, U.N. B's success in this most important branch is assured for several seasons ahead. It is true that lost the debate with Mount Á., but for our opponents it was a hard victory.

Mock Trial and Mock Parliament were held very successfully. For the first time our ladies were given the privilege of seats upon the floors of the House, and added much interest to the proceedings thereby.

The College Monthly has been well managed, and in literary production equal to that of former years. The College paper can be a influence in promoting unity and harmony among the students and the faculty, or its efforts will be equally injurious if improperly used.

The University Dramatic Society was not dead, we hope—but only dormant.

The Forestry Association had a fine year of activity, but increased would be desired upon the part of the Engineering Society. The Y. M. C. A. had a fairly successful year, but for so good a cause does not receive the support that is their due from the student body. The various Ladies' Societies report a very active, interesting and profitable year. The true worth of the Co-ed is not, in our opinion, appreciated by their male fellow students. They display a far greater amount of true College spirit than the male members.

We have but one Faculty change to note, and in the recent history of our institution it is somewhat of a phenomenon. Prof. Blampin has succeeded to the Chair of English and History. He came to us with high attainments, attainments which his work this year has shown to be of the very highest order. It is with regret we hear he leaves this term. We also regret to hear, out of interest for U. Í. B., that Prof. Stiles severs his connection as Dean of the Engineering Faculty and accepts a more remunerative, if not a higher position, else-where, and Prof. Baird finishes his term of supply. We wish Prof. Stiles and Prof. Baird all success in their new spheres. We also wish to congratulate Professors Stephens and MacDonald for their great records overseas and their safe return.

Before completing the history of our class, it would be but just to mention the hearty co-operation which has marked the relations between faculty and students in the year just passed; we part today feeling that they have been our friends.

U. N. B.'S War Record

It is also but fitting that we should mention the glorious record U. N. B. in the great war. Valiantly have her sons typified upon the battlefield the spirit that was their characteristic while sojourning these halls. To enumerate the brave men whose bravery and devotion to duty our King has seen fit to recognize, time does not permit, but we think that an enumeration of the decorations now would not be amiss: Commanders of St. Michael and of St. George, 2; Distinguished Service Orders, 4; Military Cross with bar, 1 ; Military Crosses, 17; Military Medals, 5; Distinguished Conduct Medals, 2; Russian Order of St. George, 1; Russian Order of Ste. Anne, 1. A notable array indeed ! In our own class we have one winner of the Military Cross, and one veteran who has been wounded no less than three times—and of both we are justly proud. But it is with sadness that we must note the glorious death on the field of battle of a former member of the Class of 1919; we refer to Gunner J. Clarke Sommerville, who, while on service in France died of wounds received in the fighting last fall. While at College he won the regard and respect of both the Faculty and his fellow students. A good athlete, a good student*

"In honor chivalrous;
In duty valorous;
In all things noble;
To the heart's core clean."

Altogether considerably over 300 under-graduates and graduates answered their country's call. Of these 33 paid the supreme sacrifice. Round Ypres, in the Valley of the Somme, on Vimy Ridge, before Albert, Amiens, Arras, Cambrai, their lives were surrendered.

"These held they high tradition in their keeping,
This flower of all, a nation's youth and pride,
And safe they hold it still in their last sleeping
Who heard the call, and answered it—and died."

And these mortals in dying have put on immortality; being dead they live; being silent they speak; and, leaving behind them an im-perishable memory, they need no memorial. For they are corner stones in the everlasting temple of freedom, they are morning stars that herald the day of Victory—of the victory of good over eyil, kindness over cruelty, justice over tyranny; they are the sons of God, whose deeds shout for joy through all time and eternity.

The Memorial Magazine

Dedicated particularly to these gallant sons, in the past year, the faculty and students have collaborated in publishing a Memorial Volume, a supplement of the University Monthly—to keep green in the 'memory of their contemporaries, and those who come after, the sudden though glorious ending of careers so promising. From the big demand for copies, we feel assured our purpose will succeed. U. N. B. graduates of prominence have eagerly contributed to its success by wonderful articles, and therein are contained articles by Canada's leading statesmen and others.

Having briefly recited the history of our class, it but remains to say a few words of farewell; but all that it means to say farewell to our Alma Mater cannot be said in any words of ours. With her we have spent many happy years. During our sojourn here our divergent ideas have been moulded into a more purposeful ideal, and we have gained a fuller vision of the world and what is expected of us. We leave here today to scatter in the wide, wide world; but, classmates, do not let us forget that we owe our Alma Mater much. Today she places her sign of approval upon us—may we rise to the heights she expects of us. Today we pass beyond her portals, to begin life under conditions strange to us. Upon the turbulent sea of life rebuffs1 be frequent, but remember that "many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties," and have the will to conquer.

In farewell to the city of Fredericton, we can only express our gratitude to the citizens. You have at all times been gracious and have done much to make our stay a pleasant one. We have made lasting friendships among you and the memory of your hospitality and amiability shall be carried away with us.

To you, gentlemen of the Faculty, we must express our thanks. In the class-room you have given us the highest in culture and learning. It is a heavy debt we owe you; personal touch with you has made us better men and women and given us an appreciation of your true worth and character. Also to the good wives of the more fortunate of you our gratitude is due for the many favors rendered,—our some-
times irksome requests never refused. In you we have found real friends, and ones who are really interested in our welfare.
To the under-graduates as a body we would say: "Make the welfare of the College your criterion while here." Upon your shoulders rests the future success of U. Í. Â; you have seen wherein this class has erred; seek to rectify where you can. There is a matter which we would like to advise you—in the offices of the different societies and athletic teams is a training very profitable; it has been the tendency of late to place upon the shoulders of two or three men the duties which should be performed by many—to turn what it properly distributed would be enjoyable privileges into burdensome tasks. Give many the opportunity, eliminate over-burdening, and thus get better results. Keep up the old customs and the singing of the College songs. There is the true spirit of "Camaraderie":

"Be noble, and the nobleness
Which lies in other men sleeping,
Will rise to meet your own."
Our wishes are for your success.

And, finally, fellow-classmates, we must part from one another. Though, for the most of us we have been together as a class only one year, in that short time community of interest and common purpose have drawn us close, to teach us the value of co-operation. Tomorrow we go forth upon the great sea of existence; it is too much to hope that we should ever all be together again. Therefore, with regret and sadness, the final word must be spoken: To Faculty, Students, City and Friends—Farewell. Fare thee well, old Alma Mater, Adieu!