Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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SALUTATORY ADDRESS. S BY BLAIR LEE, MD. . --o-- LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :-It-is a pleasant duty to welcome you to Princeton, and to these exercises. One phase of our stu- 'dent-life-the study side, the real object of our being here-is celebrated on Commencement Day. On Class Day another, the social, human side, has its occasion. , As our feeling for one another, which intensifies as separation comes, has all along been a Spontaneous growth, rising from sympathy and increased by merit, so has this day, without, restriction and from time past memory, been placed by an indulgent Faculty at the disposal of -each class. At last our day has come, in which the pleasantries -of college life must have their climax. May you enjoy them too. Right glad are we to see you here, right sad are we to part. For four years college has been our world 3 a mere rehear- .sal of life, perhaps, but in the Spring-time of it, when the heart is tender and feels witha more generous impulse than it may thereafter have. This separation is to many the first of the marked changes all .are subject to in real life. Its sadness is only lessened by the hope, that from its beginning here our interest in one another may continue always, and by mutual acts of kindness every man -of us may learn to know, that in each classmate he has a true, enduring friend. ' Where resolution, honesty and intelligence are needed, the Class of '80 hopes to do its life-work. May their power be as -efficient there as it has been simple and unostentatious here. Uncontrolled through all this time by any set or clique, each 1

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6 THE N.4ss.4 U HERALD. man has acted in his independent capacity. Qualities such as these are ever in demand. May they be' used to perpetuate the free institutions of this continental country. For this, not only are Virtue, intelligence and economy essential, as the base of indi- vidual and national independence, but there must be in addition an innate love for self'-government, the blessings it confers, and a courage coolly to meet the extremists who from time to time assail the nation's integrity or the people's rights. Elevate poli- tics from a business to. the highest duty of -American citizenship. Sustain your country. with a generous, patriotism, and, ever main- taining right vigorously, as has been your wont, whatyou believe to be the truth, do your part- in the glorious progress of repub- lican government towards its ultimate perfection. This is our parting scene. To share its pleasures and solace its sorrow once again, you are welcomed here. And when towards the end you 'note the 'grasping hand, the kindling eye, know that there is beneath more than on the surface. shows. 1 .