Alumni Oration

"Alumni Oration"University Monthly 19, 8 (May 1900): 201-203. (UA Case 67a, Box 1)

If it was not irreverent he felt like saying with Simeon of old "I am ready to depart in peace," and he knew that the ladies and gentlemen before him would fully accord in that sentiment. He was not prepared, however, after coming from Ottawa to speak upon this occasion to depart without addressing a few remarks to the distinguished assemblage. He at that time had very deep feelings surging through his heart, as they must be through the hearts of all the old graduates of the University of New Brunswick. Not one who ahs passed through those classic halls could sit upon the platform tonight and think of his Alma Mater without being stirred in the depths of his being. Memory flashes the light backwards tonight, and draws aside the curtains and permits a look at that time thirty-five years ago when he and others stood before the Chancellor to receive their degree, and on this occasion we go back and dream again the old dreams, and see again the enchanted visions of roseate youth; and coming here tonight, those old graduates, with faces furrowed with lines of care and with lives wind swept by the tempests of the world, quaff anew some of those draughts from the springs of bye gone days, which cluster at the foot of the hills of eternal youth, and the hearts of all grow warm. Comrades of the class of ’65 where are you now? Not many are here. Some have gone to those green slopes which we call the city of the dead, and will come back no more; others are scattered all over this broad land and are winning distinction for themselves and brining honor to their Alma Mater; and never one but often turns back and thanks the kind fate which left his steps to this old college. And what great changes since then. Why, some of the old fellows would scarcely recognize the place or the classes. Like a spark to the powder magazine would have been in those days to some of those, old professors the sight of a petticoat in the class room. He believed that the admission of women to the college was a beneficial change. Another changed noted was in the course of study, which had been greatly broadened during the past quarter century. This, too, he believed was a change for the better.

He and all members of the Alumni would never cease to be thankful for the training they received at the their Alma Mater. What they got out of this college that stands by them was not what they carried out in their laps when they went forth from these halls after being capped by the Chancellor. That store has long since been used up and devoured. What remains is mental and intellectual muscle which is far greater than stores of book lore. The true object of this University is not to teach technicalities but to make and develop and mould true and perfect men and women. While these young men now care for and strive for the marks and class distinction (and the ambition is a laudable one) later on they will be neglectful of these things, but will be glad to note how their mental powers are growing and getting breadth and strength and are being made firm and strong, and how their whole mental vision is being broadened and widened, and how they are acquiring the mental powers and capacities to grasp and retain these great truths which are general in their application. The aim of the training at this college is not, or should not be, to fit a young man to use any single tool, but to prepare him to make the best use of all tools which he many have the opportunity of grasping when he going out into the world.

Every graduate should be true to his Alma Mater. In proportion as the graduates of the U.N.B. take a deep and intelligent interest in her welfare so shall she march on successfully or otherwise. He did not know how many Sir Donald Smiths there might be in the class which had just received their degrees, but he did know that if any became in even a small part as successful in life s was the great man that they should remember in proportion their Alma Mater even as Lord Strathacona had lavished his gifts upon the educational institutions of Montreal. All the graduates of the U.N.B. are under obligation to their Alma Mater for the rest of their lives; and all over this Canada of ours, and all over the broad world, are alumni who cherish the old College and whose sympathy and practical help for their Alma Mater will flow in a constant and increasing stream.

Mr. Foster then in most eloquent terms pictured the advancement along all lines made during the past one hundred years, and pictured in classical language the grand opportunities of the opening days of the 20th century,. He declared that development in College and University work had not kept pace with the advancement in other directions, and said the U.N.B. does not stand where it should today. New Brunswick cannot afford to let the old college go down. The University needs better equipment and larger classes. Education does much for a man or a woman, but it fails unless it makes them good citizens.

The great development of Canada during the past century was reviewed in that glowing language of which Mr. Foster is a master, and the epoch marking events and years touched upon. The opinion of the 20th century affords greater opportunities for success in life and also demands greater things from the young men and women than at any previous period. The imperialistic spirit, which is the dominant spirit of the British Empire and the Anglo Saxon race, was referred to, and Mr. foster closed his address with a most eloquent and brilliant peroration.