Valedictory Address

“Valedictory Address”The University Monthly 33, 7-9. (April-June 1914): 331-337. (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, Ladies and Gentlemen:

“The old order changeth, yielding place to new.” There is nothing that endures but change itself. “Time presents new moments, each in its individuality, never was before, and never will be again.” Every moment 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 foot-hills, because they sum up, as it were, the significance of a closing epoch, and mark the dawning of a new era. Such a moment is the present to the class of 1914. Four years we have lingered in this quiet haven, apart from the noisy tumults, the surging currents of the outer world, and 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 urges us forward and upward, endeavoring to attain an ever advancing goal.

We are not alone; others have gone before and won their laurels by duty well performed—and their deeds are beacons to guide us on, and to inspire within us the courage and perseverance that the world demands, that humanity calls for and conscience bids.

Before we say farewell, it is in order that we review briefly the history of the time spent here. One morning in the early autumn of 1910, a group of forty-four youths and maidens, with verdant notions of college, ascended the rocky pathway toward the University. The sinister warnings in the trees of the grove caused no delay, for the curiosity of their years urged them timidly forward. They entered at the back door and college life began. The next evening the class was entertained by the Sophomores, in a unique manner, after which the code of unwritten laws was given and the new members became a part of the student organization, and were soon absorbed in the tasks necessary to fulfill their college purpose.

As Sophomores, the class number forty. The Sophomore year is of the most important, and in class room work perhaps the busiest, of course. College has a different meaning, there is a beginning of responsibility in the affaire of the students and there are a few customs shared in by the class alone.

We entered the Junior year with a class of thirty-six; the uncertainty of the former years was gone. In the Junior and Senior years we became acquainted with the inner affairs of college life. New avenues of activity and influence presented themselves and the horizon widened. Moreover, the elective course gives one opportunity to branch out along lines of special preference, his particular genius finds expression, and work is pleasure. For us, the year marked a time when the student body had taken a new determination to promote the interests of the college; there was increased activity in athletics; but the joy and promise of the football season was clouded, by a fatal illness which deprived the team of one of its foremost members, and the college of a valued and noble student. Joe Alexander was an ideal college man, a clean, manly, unselfish class-mate—

“He never turned his back, but matched breast forward,
Never doubted clouds would break,
Never dreamed though right were worsted wrong would triumph,
Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, sleep to wake.”

The past year has been successful. Unfortunately, the class missed some of its most valued members, but with a hearty co-operation of other classes, the different associations have been well conducted. A needed change in organization has been made. Formerly the Literary and Debating Society controlled all the affairs of college; this been supplanted by the Students’ Association, under which the Debating Society is a separate organization given to debating only. The U. F. A. has been abolished and the finances placed in the hands of a committee directly responsible to the Student Association. Some important changes have been made in the by-laws; two, at least, deserve mention: That each athletic team elects its own captain, and that no person shall be elected to an office, unless he receives a majority of all the votes cast.

More progress has been made in athletics than for several years. Interest has deepened, better discipline has been maintained, and the various teams have been in better condition. In football we won second place in the intercollegiate league, with a very narrow margin from winning first at a game played away from our home field. Of the four games played in hockey, three were won by U. N. B. There is need of better regulation in this game. If football demands a field of certain dimensions, it seems reasonable to suppose that all rinks should be of a standard size. The small rinks of our competitors have handicapped our teams.

The basketball team has maintained the high standing characteristic of the U. N. B. in this sport. Although some of the best players are leaving with our class, there is ample material among the undergraduates, and there is no doubt that with earnest effort even a better showing can be made another year.

The physical training class, under direction of Mr. Chester Alexander, is worthy of mention. This training should become general among the students, and may the time not be distant when a course of military drill will be given at the University—not for war—but to develop a proper physical carriage. In sport, the very high and honorable methods of our students are commendable. The spirit of fair play is always shown and mean and disreputable tactics are avoided. Athletics properly conducted is a valuable supplement in education, but if loose methods are practiced it becomes a decided source of evil,—the tendency to win at any cost is only a popular frenzy and should be discouraged. It is in our preparatory schools that the habits of sport are formed, and there is a big responsibility on the heads of our high and collegiate schools.

In debating, keen interest has been shown. The Saturday night debates have been better attended and a schedule of interclass debates was carried out during the fall term. Although we were unsuccessful at the Intercollegiate Debate, the decision against us was not unanimous.

The usual mock trial and mock parliament were held with good attendance and lively interest.

The University Dramatic Society was highly successful with their play, "College Chums," winning favorable comment from expert opinion. The success of the orchestra was largely due to the kindly assistance of Professor McGinnis.

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

The Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. continue their good work,—there are those whose zeal in this respect calls out our admiration.

The Ladies’ Society has been highly influential. We regret that the President, Miss Greenlaw, was compelled to leave college, and we sympathize with her in the recent death of her mother. We appreciate the assistance of the ladies in the social life of the college.

There have been two changes in the Faculty this year. It was mentioned at last Encaenia that Professor Gorden was leaving, but it was generally known until near the beginning of this year that Dr. Carson, professor of Chemistry, had severed his connection with the University; his departure was much regretted by all. We were fortunate in securing in his place Dr. Cameron, of Edinburgh University, whose work has been very satisfactory. We welcome Dr. Macdonald to the Department of English and History. He comes to us with high attainments. Both these gentlemen are of that race that has so many noted representatives in colonial education, and they have already won popularity among the students, not only by their official duties, but also by their kindly interest in the students’ affairs.

This year’s class contains the first students who have completed the Law Course, which is given in connection with the University. We look forward to a lime when we shall have a full course in law in our University. We are glad to know that arrangements have recently been made whereby students that fulfill the conditions are granted one, year’s exemption from McGill Medical Course.

What it means to say farewell to our Alma Mater cannot be expressed in language. It is felt by those who alone know the meaning. Here we have experienced the keenest struggles of the intellect; the deepest emotions of the mind; the fancies of our former years have been transcended by a nobler, fuller vision of the world and the relations of men, and above all we have entered into that unity and fellowship with each other that can only come through such association as is found in college life.

What can we say in appreciation of our University? When the fathers of our splendid school system laid down the broad and fundamental principles, of free, non-sectarian schools, they found that breadth and tolerance that they sought already existing in this University, and it at once became the head of the new educational system. The open book, the emblem of our education is before all, there is no bar of caste or creed creed to anyone who desires the higher scholarship given here, but men of different races and religions meet on a plane above petty denominational prejudice, and receive the best possible training for citizens of the country. As some one has well said, “The spirit of unity in diversity is the spirit of U. N. B. Men are rated for what they are rather than creed.”

Again the young man who enrolls here does so of right; and so far as his conduct is proper, he is master of his own destiny; not hedged about by rigid rules, he gains a self-reliance that will serve him well in after years, and when he receives his degree, he gains the highest honor his country bestows for individual effort—he has forced recognition from his native land. It is an official act, a signal distinction of civil honor that can come to a native of New Brunswick only through this institution.

But the degree is only a symbol of efficiency—back of it lies the fact that there is a broad and liberal course of instruction in Science and Arts, under the direction of competent and energetic instructors, equal to any given in the eastern part of Canada. There is no need to dispute the direction our education is taking; there is opportunity either for the classical or the vocational.

The University has extended and strengthened her Arts course in recent years, besides increasing her influence in technical education, in the new departments of Science and Forestry. Her attendance has steadily increased, although this Province has not made proportionate progress with the rest of the Dominion. At the present lime there is a movement to raise funds tor a new Science building, and we trust that the friends

of the University will respond cheerfully to the call and that the plan will he successful.

We note the opening of an Agricultural School within the Province and hope the time is not far distant when we will have a Department of Agriculture here.

We leave here today to scatter in the wide, wide world, hut wherever we are, when it becomes an obligation to assist in any way we can, we shall be always ready to aid in the progress of the college to which we owe so much gratitude and respect, but we can give her the greatest assistance by fulfilling in our life’s work the character of her teaching.

She has placed today the sign of her approval upon us—may we be worthy of the confidence reposed.

To the people of Fredericton we express our gratitude for your kindness during the period we have been with you. It is rare indeed that a University town is found where such harmony prevails between the students and citizens. We congratulate you in having such a beautiful city, the provincial centre of education and culture, and may it continue to set a high standard of order and morals, that we may all be justly proud of our capital.

To you, gentlemen of the Faculty, we owe our thanks. We can say of you as was said of the General Xenophon, “Although rigid in discipline, he treated his followers like fellow-citizens and men.” And your personal kindness, your spirit of fairness, your devotion to duty, your honesty to truth have led us to appreciate your worth of character. More than anything we are grateful for your frankness in that where you have noticed the weak spots in our armour you have had the courage to speak plainly and with effect. I doubt if we fully appreciate the benefit of a small college in bringing the students in personal touch with the professors. It makes for higher ideals in both scholarship and character.

To the undergraduates we must say farewell. We thank you for the assistance you have given us. On you depends the future success of U. N. B. You can aid her best by making the most of the talents which you possess. Work is the solution for your individual progress, and you will aid your college most by maintaining a high standard. Work not only at your studies but in athletics, debate and other activities, essential for the welfare of the University. You have been able to see wherein this class has erred; seek to rectify where you can. There is one suggestion which it may be well to mention,—keep college affairs more to yourselves, avoid all public knowledge of our customs. Strangers are not concerned nor interested to any extent, and when anyone wishes to criticize, do not do so through the Monthly, hut at a general meeting,—there is no reason why all cannot be informed that way.

Keep up the old customs and the singing of the college songs. There is a kindred feeling here, call it “college spirit,” if you will, and cultivate it in every opportunity.

In a small University, where all are personally acquainted, there may arise at times a spirit of rivalry that is more than healthy competition, and it should be avoided; competition is effective, but it can be carried too far. The man who is seeking to down the other fellow to help himself is developing a very wrong type of character; the game should played for the game itself, and if one can excel and win honor, it is very commendable. The spirit of rivalry must never become a personal feud for after all what avails victory and honor if it be gained at the price of narrowed soul in one and a sense of injured feelings in the other.

“Be noble, and the nobleness
Which lies in other men sleeping,
Will arise to meet your own.”

Our wishes are for your highest prosperity and happiness.

Classmates, we part today, doubtless never to meet again. Let us not think that our work is ended because we receive 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 the 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 and go marching on in the silence of other tasks and nobler duties. Today the future is ahead, with its joy and sorrow unknown. “But we are the brain and the brawn of the Saxon, the Celt and the Gaul,” and our country is coming into her natural heritage; great opportunities await. 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 for popular effect, that talks of great deeds and vaunts superiority, but no amount of flag waving will build a nation. We need the positive patriotism, 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 lay the steel through the woodland and over prairie, and develop the hidden wealth of the forest, the mine and the sea, but above all let us build a righteous national life and character where the highest integrity will be found in our business, social and political life, and where all that is vicious and false will be eliminated.

“The others, the men of mettle,
The men who would ‘stablish my fame
Unto the ultimate issue,
Winning me honor not shame.
I will not be won by weaklings,
Subtle, suave and mild
But men with the hearts of vikings,
And the simple faith of a child.”

Individual success may come, bringing the enjoyment of material things, but what of the higher values; Life’s choicest gifts, love and honor, consecration to social aims, the glory of the sunset and the peace of the midnight stars are not bought with any price. Shall we sacrifice our ideals or shall we restrain them? If we keep the mettle that our college training gives us, we shall always have the courage to stand for the right, even if we stand alone.

There’s a voice it is never silent,
Its vibrating echoes ring
Through the hut of the lowlv peasant,
And the palaces of the king.
From the sea and the farm and city.
From the prairie out to the coast,
It is calling and calling and calling
For the men who are needed most.
So much that is base and selfish,
So much that is hollow and vain,
There’s a place for all who will answer,
‘Tis the call for the manly man.”

One word remains—we must, yet hesitate to, say—Farewell!