Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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Ivy Oration inspiring a host of growing men to defy the forces of cor- ruption and special privilege. And it is not in politics alone that the growing man has an opportunity. Business to-day is demanding men whose growth will be in accordance with the highest ideals. All forces are calling for the guidance of practical idealists, men of vigor, men of vision, and men of courage. And now we 'have been transplanted from this soil into the coarser grained soil of the world. We make no pre- tentions of ability or power. But the possibility of- growth, that we do claim to have, and it is our sworn duty to God and to the world that we grow in conformity with the ideals which we have had the privilege of forming while we have been associated together. I5

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The Nassau H amid word implies, a beginning. It is not the closing up of one period of our life just in order that we may go out into another period separate and distinct from it. T-he life into which we are to go is the life we have been living, and, instead of ending a distinct period, we are going out into the world to live ia every act, in every thought, in every impulse, the 'four years thro-ugh which we have just passed. And to-day we have met to plant the ivy as symbolic of our transplanting into a world of larger interests. It means a great deal more, this replanting process, than we have been accustomed to consider it. The ivy brought here is but a sprout and it is being planted beside the vines which have grown for many decades. It will have for its support the walls of a building which is rich in historical significance. It will intertwine its leaves with the leaves of the vines planted by past classes, and all the vines which will be planted by classes to come. And, indeed, such a process is symbolic of our lives. We are soon to be taken from the hot-house soil of academic life and planted in a far different soil. Instead of our having the minimum of responsibility and the maxi- mum of opportunity, it is to be reversed, and the only back- ing up which we will have in the struggle we are about to enter will be our potentiality for growth. But the world is waiting for men to-day who give promise. of growth. It is possibilities which the world is looking for in the young men of to-day, not actual things accomplished. We will have for our support, as we grow, the tradition and heritage of the past, and the man is wise who, in the midst of the stupendous readljustments going on about us to-day, keeps before him the realization that true progress always takes counsel of past experience, The growing world has created a whole host of tasks which demand for their accomplish- ment an army of growing men. Politics to-clay is calling for volunteers, men of red blood and far vision. These political forces under the leadership of our most distinguished alumnus, are giving the world to understand that the first right of every people is to be honestly and wisely governed, and this spirit is ut '

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PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS Fellow Classmates' Almost four years ago, at this same spot, the first spark of that class spirit, which has welded us so firmly together, was kindled. Since then, this old cannon has played a most im- portant part in our college life. We have started m-any P-rades here, we have seen the old cannon several times heated by championship bonfxres and it is with a very great deal of sadness that we gather here for the last time, knowing well that in aufew days we shall be scattered throughout the world. VV e shall be parted from friends whom we have grown to love almost as brothers, and fellows whom we have seen constantly for four years will soon become only remembrances, just as many old school-day friends have become. We are at the end of four of the happiest years of our lives and are now Princeton Alumni, which means that our love for Princeton is only in its infancy. We have the grandest body of Alumni that any University can boast of as our example and we must be careful to do our part, always remembering that we owe more to Princeton than we can ever repay. I have always loved that last verse of the Orange and the Black , which I am sure seems more real to us now than ever before: When the cares of life o'ertake us, Mingling fast our locks with gray, Should our dearest hopes betray us, False fortune fall away, Then we'll banish care and sadness As we turn our memories back And recall those days of gladness 'Neath the Orange and the Black. To what extent each of us will succeed in the world is, of course, unknown, but it is the duty and privilege of us all to move the banner forwardg the distance that we move it will depend largely upon our talents and the circumstances which 16