Graduation Address

"Address to the Graduating Class" Brunswickan 43, 7 (May 1924): 245-248. (UA Case 67, Box 1)

The Senate of this University have today conferred upon me an honor which I value more highly than any I have ever received, an honor so unexpected that I can scarcely realize it is mine, and so undeserved that I can find no adequate words to express my thanks and appreciation. You, Mr. Chancellor, have honored me further in asking me to address the Graduating Class. It would have been difficult for you indeed to have asked anyone less qualified than I. It would have been equally difficult to have asked anyone to whom your request would have given greater pleasure, for although I never had the privilege of being a student at this grand old University, its green campus and grey walls have been familiar to me from earliest boyhood, and I stand second to none in affectionate admiration and respect for its splendid traditions. But in spite of my pleasure, I am under a very great disadvantage this afternoon, and if you will pardon a personal reference, I will tell you why. Thirty-five years ago, almost to a day, I presented myself at the branch of the bank with which I am still connected, to assume the duties of Junior Clerk. The Manager, Mr. Murray, whom many of our older friends here will remember, instructed me in the most kindly way as to my conduct and duties. As I was leaving the office, he said, "There is on thing more, my boy. Always remember that the affairs of everyone who does business with this bank must be kept absolutely secret. Therefore, learn not to talk." I took his instructions so much to heart that I not only learned not to talk, but I have never learned to talk. That is why I am under such a great disadvantage today, and why I must ask your indulgence for the very inadequate manner in which I express the few thoughts and suggestions I should like to offer to this Class of 1924.

To the member of the Class I would say:

You have spent four of the best years of your life here for the purpose of fitting yourselves for the great struggle of life, and now the uppermost thought in the mind of each one of you is - or should be - how to turn to best account the results of the education and training received during your stay here, - how to attain success in your chosen career. And here let me say that you have received at the University of New Brunswick a sound and liberal education. I say this advisedly, because I have some knowledge of such matters, and I know that the educational ground-work provided here can not be surpassed at any of the great Canadian Universities.

Now as to your success. It is not for me to refer to the ethical aspects of the question, nor to dwell on the difference between achievement of material success and the acquirement of that moral worth without which no life can be truly successful. These questions are for the teacher and philosopher, and it would be presumption on my part to touch upon them. I can only offer a few suggestions along practical lines as to the qualifications and characteristics which occur to me as fundamental if a man or woman is to be successful in the ordinary material sense of the word. A short time ago five men were asked by the Young Men's Christian Association of Montreal to say in a few words what they considered essential for the achievement of a successful career. I happened to be one of the five, and I can best give you my views by quoting my reply:

"Character and courage are essential to real success.

Have a well considered ambition and try to attain it by the unswerving pursuit of the goal set, with the fundamental precepts - honesty, cheerfulness and unflagging industry.

Seek to improve yourself in every way, and remember that nothing worth while can be achieved without showing personal effort."

To analyze - Character and courage - these two go together. To command respect in any walk of life (and without respect there can be no success), a man or woman must have sound principles and the courage to live up to them; also the courage to face disappointment cheerfully, with the determination to turn to good account every seeming failure, for failure is a blessing if it saves us from sinking into self-complacency. High ideals are essential to success. High ideals are engendered by character and brought to realization through courage.

Have a well considered ambition. Whatever the line of endeavor may be - perhaps for learning, perhaps for great position, perhaps for wealth, perhaps political - the driving force of ambition must be there to provide the necessary continued and concentrated effort.

Lastly, and all-important: Nothing worth while can be achieved without strong personal effort. I am sure you all have character and courage; I hope you all have great ambition; and having these, the important and practical point I should like to emphasize today is the necessity for personal effort, if you wish to succeed. This is a personal world, and if you are to achieve your well considered ambition, you must depend upon yourself, and on no one else. Many have the desire to succeed, but are not willing to make the effort required. They are not prepared to forego the pleasures of today for the rewards of tomorrow. This, above all, is the thought I should like you to take away with you today, that nothing worth while can be achieved without strong personal effort - by strong, I mean the best that is in you. Emmerson has put this thought into two short lines -

"When duty whispers low must
The youth replies I can."

And now I come to the pleasantest part of what I have to say, which is, to congratulate the Class of 1924 on its brilliant record in the University and to wish its members every possible success. I have not had the honor of knowing intimately the members of the Class, but those who do know them intimately say, and I can quite believe it, that no better Class than that of 1924 has ever passed through this University. No doubt during the four years you have spent here you have had many trials, and at times discouragements, nevertheless these are the years you will recall with the greatest delight. The years in which youth passes into manhood or womanhood are the years in which character is moulded. The friendships you have formed here will in all probability prove the most lasting and best friendships of your life, and no matter what the future may have in store for you, you will always look back with pride and satisfaction on the time spent here. In the words of Sir Arthur Currie, the eminent Principal of McGill, "Let your work be such as will bring credit upon the name of your University, and let the parts you play be such as to make her proud of your career." The records of the distinguished graduates who have gone before you should be a great inspiration. When you recall men like Sir George Parkin, Bliss Carman, Charles G.D. Roberts, Walter Murray, the President of the University of Saskatchewan, and if I may venture to name two who are present today, the eminent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick, Sir Douglas Hazen, whose enviable judicial and political career is outstanding, and your Chancellor, Dr. Jones, who has done so much in the interests of education in this Province - when you recall such careers as these, you should have a feeling that no ambition is too great and no goal beyond your achievement.

And now I wish you good fortune and Godspeed as you venture forth to carve out your future in this great and glorious world.