Valedictory Address

“Valedictory Address” University Monthly 37, 6 (May 1918): 173-177. (UA Case 68, Box 2)

Your Honor, Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate, Mr. President and Members of the Associated Alumni, Mr. Chancellor and Members of the Faculty, Fellow Students, Classmates, Ladies and Gentlemen:—

It seems to have been a custom in former years for valedictorians to say at the outset that, "there is nothing new under the sun," and then go on and give a short class history, a few remarks on the events of the year and to say a word of farewell. I do not intend to depart from the former custom except at the outset, when I say there is nothing impossible under the sun. Everyone can appreciate this statement, and especially the members of the Class of 19IS, when they consider that we, who entered this University four short years ago, have today graduated. That we, as individuals, have received today exactly the same mark of distinction that every graduate has received, that is, a degree. However, this last statement requires one qualification, namely, that the graduation standard is much higher at present than in former years. Nevertheless, we have finished our task, undertaken four years ago, and today we go out to come back no more as students of the University of New Brunswick. We rightly have a feeling of joy, for we have gained our reward; but this feeling of joy is mingled with sadness, for we are today breaking the many pleasant associations which we have formed during our student life.

Every movement of our lives contains within itself a fading past and a dawning future. But some moments stand out among their fellows as a giant among men or as a crowning mountain peak that towers above the surrounding foothills, because they sum up as it were the significance of a closing epoch and mark the dawning era. Such a moment is the present to the class of 1918. Our past and our future seem to blend. Four years we have lingered in these halls, apart from the noisy tumults and surging currents of the outer world; but this has in no way mitigated our own troubles, of which the world knows little. In this period we have shared in the best thought of our civilization, we have measured our limitations by the achievements of our race, we have tested our powers and gained breadth of vision and strength of will. But the long-expected hour has arrived, the period of preparation has closed, and today we enter the life that is real and earnest, that ceaselessly surges us onward and upward, endeavoring to attain an. ever advancing goal. Before we say farewell, it is in order to review briefly the history of the time spent here.

One morning in September of 1914 a group of twenty-five youths and maidens, endowed with the verdancy characteristic of Freshmen, ascended the rocky pathway through the grove. Here we received our first instruction from silent policemen, who displayed productions of fine art and brought to our notice signs, which read such as these: "Freshen, Beware," and "Back Door, Freshmen," and to the back door we hurried, eager to satisfy our youthful curiosity. After a few entertainments given by the upper classmen and a few weeks of orange and green ties, we became accustomed to college affairs and college life began in earnest. Late in the year we received three students, making our class total twenty-eight.

In our Freshmen year U.N.B. had perhaps the best football team ever organized in the Maritime Provinces, and on it the Freshmen Class was represented. The whole year was very successful as far as college affairs were concerned, but the crowning success, from our point of view, came when our class won the interclass hockey championship, which we have held ever since.

In our Sophomore year we numbered twenty-two, having lost eight and gained two. Yet there was enough to carry out successfully the duties of a Sophomore class and to train up the unsophisticated Freshmen in the way on which they should go.

The great war began in our Freshman year and it was already telling on the numbers in the classrooms. Up to the present over sixty-five per cent, of our original class have enlisted. Of the men who have left college from our class all except two have donned the King's uniform and have shared, are sharing and will share in the great conflict "to make the world safe for democracy." Two of our former classmates have made the supreme sacrifice. I refer to Lieut. F.D. Foley and Sergt. A.B. Caldwell. The former was killed on the field of battle and the latter died on this side of the water. For these, and the many other sons of U.N.B., who have fallen, a suitable memorial is to be erected after the war, and the least that can be done by those who remain behind is to commemorate the glorious sacrifices of those who have been fighting for the right.

In our junior year we numbered eighteen, having lost five and recruited one. Our numbers were continually decreasing, due to enlistment; however, the year was, on the whole, very successful. Our hockey and basketball teams never met defeat and all college affairs were well carried out.

This year we mustered fifteen and we have today graduated.

In spite of the great reduction in numbers of all classes, student activity has been kept alive and up to the usual high standard.

In athletics we have been, on the whole, successful, and have succeeded in maintaining teams worthy of the University. Our success has been twofold: First in the games we have won, and second, in maintaining in readiness the athletic ability necessary for the time when intercollegiate contests will be resumed.

The regular Saturday night debates were held during the fall term and were well attended. This year we debated St. Francis Xavier, but the decision was not for U.N.B. However, considering that our debaters were all new men in the game and that we were debating the best team in the league, it is not surprising that we were defeated by a "narrow margin." To those who take an interest in debating next year, and everyone should, I say: Select and prepare your material carefully, and then work, work, work, on delivery, and I am sure you will get a decision over Mt. Allison in your debate next year.

The usual Mock Trial was held this year, but, due to lack of numbers, we were unable to hold Mock Parliament.

The various Ladies' Societies have carried on their work well this year. Not only have the ladies been prominent in both social and athletic affairs but they starred among the leaders in honors of
the day.

The Officers’ Training Corps was revived this year and we hope conditions will permit it to be continued next year and carried on as successfully as this year, under the command of Professor Cameron, who has been untiring in his efforts in training the corps.

The track sports which were revived two years ago were held again this year and were a success beyond expectations, considering our numbers. For two years the medal for the best all round athlete in college has come to the class of 1918. Last year it was won by Gregory Bridges, who was always prominent in both athletic and social affairs. Mr. Bridges is not graduating with us, duty having called him elsewhere. We all wish him a safe and speedy return to finish his course at U.N.B.

Considerable more might be said on the events of the year, but time does not permit me. However, we must say at least that we are sorry that such action was taken by the Senate in regard to two students. One was a member of our class and now wears the King's uniform.

To you, Mr. Chancellor and Members of the Faculty, we owe our thanks for the interest you have taken in our welfare and for your patience in instructing us. Our best wishes are with Dr. McDonald and Professor Stevens, who are absent on military service. We also wish Dr. Kierstead success in his new work. We are all pleased to have had Dr. McGinnis with us this year. The very efficient way in which the work is carried on in his department is worthy of much praise. We welcome Professor Hebert to the Department of Philosophy and Economics. He has already won popularity among the students, not only by the carrying out of his official duties, but also by his kindly interest in the students' affairs. To Professor Hebert alone belongs all the credit for the showing made by our debating team last year.

People of Fredericton, as classes come and go, each find a warm welcome among you. For all you have done to make the time spent here a pleasant one, we, the class of 1918, thank you while we bi you a kindly farewell.

To the undergraduates we must also say farewell. On you depends the future success of U.N.B. You have no doubt seen our mistakes; seek to rectify them. What we have done well, you do better. If you will pardon me there is one suggestion which I wish to make: Keep college affairs more to yourselves and avoid all public knowledge of your customs.

Classmates, we part today doubtless never to meet again. Let us not think that our work is ended, because we have received today the recognition of what we have accomplished. Life's work is just beginning; the world will judge us by what we do, rather than by what we represent, and often this decision will be unjust It is not always the most deserving that receives the loudest praise, but we must be prepared to meet these things while we go marching on in the silence of other tasks and nobler duties. It is for us to stand for the best development of our country. There is a false patriotism that denounces other nations, that sets class against class, that talks of great deeds and vaunts superiority, but no amount of flag waving will lift up a nation or maintain it in time of danger. We need the men who will sacrifice all if necessary for their country's cause, the men who will build the foundation of a solid national structure. It is well to develop the resources of our country and to defend it in time of war, but above all let us build a righteous national life which in itself means national prosperity.

Individual success may come to some of us, bringing the enjoyment of national things, but what of the higher values? Shall we sacrifice our ideals or shall we retain them? If we keep the mettle our college training gives us, we shall always have the courage to stand for the right, even if we stand alone.

Today, our class is no more, so far as the University is concerned, but let us never forget, no matter where we go, or what we do, that we were members of the class of 1918, which stands second to none, not in members but in the part we have taken m all student activities and especially in athletics.

One word remains, we must, yet hesitate to say—farewell.