1938 Fredericton Encaenia
Graduation Address
Delivered by: McNair, John Babbitt
Content
"Urges Free Hand for Students to Discuss Problems of Day" Daily Gleaner (13 May 1938): 2, 8. (UA Case 69, Box 1)
Mr. McNair advised the graduates to practice self-discipline and control and to be tolerant in dealing with important problems. He cautioned them against the danger of losing the spirit of enthusiasm.
"The capacity for enthusiasm is a wonderful quality. It is the normal gift of all of us. The difficulty is to retain it," stated the speaker. "We who are your seniors fully realize that at times it is charged that we are lacking in vision and fire and then to grow incapable of doing things in a grand and spectacular way. May I suggest to you, however, that you too will have your disillusionments."
The speaker referred to the Great War and the disillusionment that it brought about. "We had been nurtured in the belief that war was a grand and glorious enterprise. We learned through bitter experience that it is at times just a grim necessity," he said.
Mr. McNair remarked that the youth of his generation differed little from the youth of today, except that perhaps today there is a little more impatience and a slightly greater tendency to express it.
"There is, however, nothing in that alone to cause anxiety," he continued. "The art of criticism is one of the indicia of civilization. It flowers best where learning abounds. As a means of self-expression of persuasion it tends to supplant primitive methods through which personal view are expressed in more physical ways. Nevertheless, unless the exercise of that art is controlled by a sense of balance and proportion, it may prove as destructive as the native method of persuasion.
"To live together and to work in unison for the advancement of the interests of ourselves and our fellows," stated Mr. McNair, "self-discipline and control are essential, and above all else, tolerance."
In concluding the speaker urged the graduates to exercise these qualities in the years to come in new associations that may be formed, in the professions, the churches, the family circles and in the field of politics and government.
"If during your stay here you have truly learned the worth of the attributes of heart and mind to which I have referred—self discipline and control and the capacity to appreciate the other fellow’s viewpoint—then you shall go forth from these halls equipped in all points to carry on in whatever new associations you may form, according to the ideals of your alma mater, as reflected in the lives of a long line of illustratrious sons and daughters.
"It is with a strong belief that you are so endowed that we this afternoon bid you godspeed," he concluded.
Mr. McNair advised the graduates to practice self-discipline and control and to be tolerant in dealing with important problems. He cautioned them against the danger of losing the spirit of enthusiasm.
"The capacity for enthusiasm is a wonderful quality. It is the normal gift of all of us. The difficulty is to retain it," stated the speaker. "We who are your seniors fully realize that at times it is charged that we are lacking in vision and fire and then to grow incapable of doing things in a grand and spectacular way. May I suggest to you, however, that you too will have your disillusionments."
The speaker referred to the Great War and the disillusionment that it brought about. "We had been nurtured in the belief that war was a grand and glorious enterprise. We learned through bitter experience that it is at times just a grim necessity," he said.
Mr. McNair remarked that the youth of his generation differed little from the youth of today, except that perhaps today there is a little more impatience and a slightly greater tendency to express it.
"There is, however, nothing in that alone to cause anxiety," he continued. "The art of criticism is one of the indicia of civilization. It flowers best where learning abounds. As a means of self-expression of persuasion it tends to supplant primitive methods through which personal view are expressed in more physical ways. Nevertheless, unless the exercise of that art is controlled by a sense of balance and proportion, it may prove as destructive as the native method of persuasion.
"To live together and to work in unison for the advancement of the interests of ourselves and our fellows," stated Mr. McNair, "self-discipline and control are essential, and above all else, tolerance."
In concluding the speaker urged the graduates to exercise these qualities in the years to come in new associations that may be formed, in the professions, the churches, the family circles and in the field of politics and government.
"If during your stay here you have truly learned the worth of the attributes of heart and mind to which I have referred—self discipline and control and the capacity to appreciate the other fellow’s viewpoint—then you shall go forth from these halls equipped in all points to carry on in whatever new associations you may form, according to the ideals of your alma mater, as reflected in the lives of a long line of illustratrious sons and daughters.
"It is with a strong belief that you are so endowed that we this afternoon bid you godspeed," he concluded.
Addresses may be reproduced for research purposes only. Publication in whole or in part requires written permission from the author.