Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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Class Omtion demands courage and ceaseless endeavor. It involves in- convenience, misunderstanding and self sacriflce. But it is the chief element in the citizen's responsibility. Surely courage and effort are no small part of Princeton's lesson. Our training then means that we are responsible in the high- est degree for active, efficient citizenship. To choose, to follow, to lead, this, in short, is our public duty. Doubtless all this seems a material and more or less com- monplace application of academic training. To be sure it is only a limited phase of Princeton's influence. The greater and more subtle influence of these four years upon us can be found only in our own hearts. It cannot be ex- pressed. The spirit, the associations, the fellowship, all the golden glory of our Princeton life, these have but little to do with creeds and responsibilities. Truer manhood, broader understanding, greater powers of appreciation, wider opportunities for individual growth 3 all these Prince- ton-has given us, together with the four happiest sunniest years of our lives. Yet Princeton must stand for some- thing more than individual growth. We are false to our trust if Princeton's influence is felt only within ourselves or in our own intimate circle of life. Our academic fellow- ship must grow into something larger and deeper, a true fellowship of service. Our academic ideals must stand for something more than individual development. They must become dynamic forces. The simple creed which I have been applying to our political relations has a far wider sig- niflcance. It is a creed of service. Adherence to it is the outward expresison of internal growth and power. It makes academic training a potent force. It has a direct ap- plication to our every activity. The more subtle influences of our life here are for our hearts alone to know. But if Princeton has made us wise, sincere and brave she must also have given us the will to strive and to serve. In all our activities wherever our lot may fall, wise judgment, faithful adherence and courageous activity will be demanded of us. To choose, to follow, to lead. To choose wisely, to follow faithfully, to lead bravely. Such is our responsibility as sons of Princeton. 21

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The N assaa Herald must be overcome. Here also is no easy task. The com- plications and conflicting interests of our modern life, the fierceness of the struggle, self seeking of others about us, all these make it difficult to eliminate personal inclination and self interest. The absorbing activities of our modern life lead naturally to an attitude of indifference toward pub- lic responsibilities. Self seeking and indifference are the natural foes of good government. Loyal and active adher- ence to the dictates of sound judgment. This is the second characteristic of efficient citizenship. Hereftoo We are specially prepared. If Princeton has not taught us to forego self interest for principle, to disregard temporary in- convenience and loss in carrying out great purposesg if we have not learned to sacrifice self in accomplishing mighty tasks and Winning real victoriesg then indeed we have missed much of Princeton's lesson. I But the citizen's duty is not limited to Wise choice and faithful adherence. His influence must be a Wider and a more effective force. His own decision, his own ballot, the performing of his individual duty is not the end of his responsibility. Our political system is a system of leader- ship. The men of lesser ability and training must be in- fluenced and led by those better fitted. Leadership is a necessary element in every activity. It is an all important element in political activity. Leadership in this sense does not mean office holding alone. The governor of a state in- fluencing his constituents is a leader. John Jones talking to john Smith after a days work may be no less a leader. Our political failings are largely due to the fact that the wrong men, the men not fitted to lead, are influencing the people. Let the right man assert himself and the people will follow. Political education must be carried on by those who are litted mentally and morally to lead. If We have received special training then special responsibility rests upon us. By example and by active effort we must make our inliuence a real leading force. Enlightened leadership by the citizen, responsible leadership by the official, these are the real remedies for our political ills. Such leadership 20

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Class Poem BY HENRY J. VAN DYKE, III. I A voice from the outer world Rings in our ears to-day, e Urging us forth from these classic walls 3 Like a martial trumpet it rouses and calls: Pause not nor stay No time to delay,' The great world hath need of you, Up and away! II Four times, good comrades, on our campus fair The fourfold change of Seasons has roll'd by, And with our thoughts and memories of friends Is mingled inextricably the dear Aspect of Princeton in her varied garb. Golden, glorious Autumn came And touched our campus trees with flame Through the breathless, wistful haze Of short Indian Summer days All the leaves came flutt'ring down- Yellow, red, and golden brown. In the drear days of November, Streaming from a cheerless sky, Raging through the naked tree-tops Silver rainstorms trampled by. 'Neath the frosts of bleak December Woods and fields lay sere and brown, Till within a single night Myriad snowflakes whirling down I Wrought a world of virgin white To dazzle morning with the sight. In those days the blood would tingle , To the sleigh-bells' merry jingle 22