Graduation Address

"Address to Graduating Class" University Monthly 34, 7 (MAy 1915): 15-19. (UA Case 67, Box 1)

Mr. Chancellor and Members of the Senate of the University of New Brunswick:

It is difficult, if not impossible, for me to adequately express you in words the depth of my pleasure, the height of my pride, in the signal honor of which I have today been the recipient.

I must content myself by saying that there is no titular honor in the gift of any public body in this our country, or of any government thereof, that could so touch my heart, that could afford me such intense satisfaction, as the honorary degree conferred upon me by the University of New Brunswick.

From my earliest youth the power and pleasures of education, the hidden mysteries of the law, have filled me with a feeling of profound awe and veneration. This feeling grows with passing time, and is accentuated by the fact that I am not among those privileged to claim this University as Alma Mater. My education was acquired in that exacting and universal school, the school of stern necessity. It is thirty-seven years since I entered as a pupil that ever open school of which we all are lifelong scholars, and though the demerits in my case are obvious, yet the fact remains that I eventually stand here a proud graduate by courtesy of this historic seat of learning.

I have run many hard races in my time, I have competed in many events, and gradually acquired a few prizes, but you may accept my heartfelt assurance that no previous honor or award is more highly appreciated than this one so graciously conferred upon me today, for it carries with it that priceless jewel, the commendation of my fellow countrymen—and, I may add, of my countrywomen—in this my own native province of New Brunswick.

The Bible tells us that a prophet is without honor in his own country, and it is not for me to attempt to palliate or deny the truth of the statement. On the contrary, I can only express deep satisfaction that there is at least no such discrimination against a banker in this good old Maritime Province.

The Benefit Of Experience

And now, Dr. Jones, you have paid me a second great compliment in asking me to address a few words to the graduates and undergraduates of this University. I accept that invitation with mitigated pleasure, for though few of us Seniors can resist the alluring chance of addressing words of admonition, of counsel, or advice, to our younger fellow mortals—to the rising generation—yet we all know that the one thing a father desires most to give his son, the one outstanding gift we elders wish to bestow upon youth, is the benefit of our experience; and, alas it is the one thing youth positively refuses to accept.

Someone has said, "He who would a pilot be must first himself the channel try." As a pilot of sorts who has tried the channel of life, measured the currents, gauged the depths, noted the shoals, found the rocks—sometimes by running on them—may I be permitted to present to you my young friends, a simple chart, a chart such as I would use had I that priceless boon, a second chance in life equipped with the experience of the first voyage.

The Rocks And Shoals

My chart gives the names of but eight principal rocks, shoals, currents and lighthouses.

First, intemperance is the greatest handicap with which a young man can burden himself. Some of you may have clear ideas on the subject; some may be irresolute; some may even inherit a tendency in that direction; but there is not one of you that will not be tempted. Therefore permit me to pass on to you my worthy father's words to me on leaving home: "If you touch stimulants before you are twenty-five years of age, remember my words, you are a fool."

Second, concentration is invaluable in any career. "Genius is but a prolonged attention." If you want easy proof of its value, try it in a game of tennis, or of golf, or any game, but above all, in the game of life.

Third, occasional introspection is highly advantageous. We all have defects—many of them can be overcome, but we must first find them out and then apply the remedy.

Fourth, the care of the body automatically improves the mind. The great majority of Canadians take ample exercise until they are about thirty years of age, then cease. In England the average man takes lifelong care of his horse, his dog, and above all of himself. Diet and exercise are essential for all three, not only in youth, but so long as life lasts. In playing games one gets mental relaxation, physical rejuvenation.

Fifth, money-making is a natural tendency in these days, but never forget that the men who make the acquisition of riches their sole object in life are poor creatures at best, find honesty a difficulty, and rarely secure the disinterested affection of their fellowmen.

Sixth, punctuality is the easiest and the rarest of virtues.

Seventh, work is the open sesame to every portal.

Eighth, the observance of the Ten Commandments forms the best basis on which a country or an individual can rise to real greatness.

The Advantages Of Today

I will not weary you with further directions, only adding, and this at least you will remember, that there is not one of you who is not starting out in life better equipped for the greatest Marathon of all than a certain youth to fortune and to fame unknown, who toed the scratch at the Bend of the Petitcodiac River in the year of grace 1878.

Some of you doubtless feel that fate is unkind, that you lack money, birth, influence, or suffer from mental or physical disabilities. My dear young men, and women too, take my word for it, and dismiss this illusion.

There is scarcely a defect that youth with what I will call my chart, cannot overcome, especially if you keep ever before you the knowledge that "some men are born great, some inherit greatness, whilst some are born in the Province of New Brunswick."

New Brunswick's Possibilities

Staticians and economists will tell you that New Brunswick is less progressive than the provinces to the west. There is evidence to this effect. It is true that our New Brunswick population does not increase as rapidly as we would desire. The immigrant seeks the more beaten path westward. Our imports and exports compare unfavorably with those of some other provinces; but, by way of comparison, what about Scotland, Ireland as compared with England? There we surely find a corresponding disparity. But, ladies and gentlemen, there is a product in Scotland and Ireland and New Brunswick not mentioned in our Canadian Year Book or in Whitaker's Almanac, though written in shining letters in the history of the British Empire. The flesh and blood, the men and women of New Brunswick and of the Maritime Provinces constitute a form of wealth in this Dominion of Canada, the ultimate value of which cannot be reduced to numerals, to dollars and cents; cannot be computed by soulless economists and statisticians.

If the world seeks an explanation, it is to be found in the fact that the stock from which the P. E. Islander, the Bluenose, and the New Brunswicker springs is good stock. The strongest element in this community today springs from the spirit of our United Empire Loyalist progenitors, who one hundred and forty years ago left wealth and comfort behind them in the United States. They came to Canada, then considered the end of the world, without material wealth, many of them indeed on foot, but one and all rich indeed in an unfaltering devotion to their flag; in a sublime determination that their anthem would ever remain, God Save the King; that they would remain British to the core.

Did not the great Washington say, "If you drive these men from our midst, you exile the best blood and the best brains in the community."

They were good men, these progenitors of yours and of mine. Let us see to it that we live up to the noble ideals by which they set store.

The Complete Education

To conclude, Milton says, "A complete education fits a man to perform justly, skillfully and magnanimously all the offices both of peace and war."

You young men of New Brunswick have your feet upon the threshold of life. Some will engage in business, some will turn to the learned professions, but before you do so, ask yourselves if there is not a vastly more urgent duty to be performed—a duty to yourselves, a duty to your patriotic progenitors, a duty to your King and country.

The British Empire and its Allies are facing a crisis today, the like of which the world has never known. A citizen of that great neutral country, the United States, has said, "This war is the greatest crime since Calvary," and in the words of Lord Rosebery, "I should be loth to believe that any one man could be responsible for this war, but if there be such a man, then may God have mercy on his soul, for the curse of posterity will rest upon him forever."

Germany has broken her written word of honor, she has torn up the ten commandments and scattered the pieces to the winds. She has brought about an orgy of foul play, of dishonor, of murder and lust, with all their attendant evils. In German eyes might alone is right, and your country calls upon you men of New Brunswick to take your place in the fighting line in defence of the integrity of the British Empire, in defence of the right, in defence of your self-respect, in defence of Anglo-Saxon laws, religions and traditions.