University of Delaware - Blue Hen Yearbook (Newark, DE)

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desire to promote peace among the nations of the earth. In the presence of such a rask facing our coun- try, the College must energize all the moral forees in the life of America. It must temper the mind of yvouth with seriousness as regards responsibility, and with sympathy as regards the progress of the race, I had the pleasure once of hearing Joseph Chamber- lain address a vast meeting in the Litnyal Albert Hall in London, in the interest of greater solidarity for the British Empire. Behind him on the platform sat more than two hundred members of Parliament, and oppo- site the speaker's stand was a streamer with this legend upon it: Learn to Think Imperially. Re- cent events which fill with anguish the heart of man enjoin upon American vouth concern for a wider solid- zrity-tg:r brotherhood of man: Learn to Think Internationally, Viewing. then, the past of Delaware College and encouraged by all the forces of growth in the past, we may well beg that Heaven's benediction shall be upon all of those who have borne the burden and heat of the day, who have fostered this child of the common- wealth for the noble career of service that stretches out before it. Especially upon the Alumni, Trustees. Faculty, and above all upon Dr. George A, Harter, as leader and inspirer of the College and of the people of this State to give full effect to personality through training, may we invoke the blessing of an all-wise Providence, who planted this institution, that He may guide it into ever-expanding fields of truth, freedom, and service. THE BLUE HEN EEE Y ADDRESS ACCEPTING THE BUILDINGS WOMEN'S COLLEGE OF DELAWARE Evererr C. Jounson, Member of the Board of Trustees CCASIONS such as this offer striking proof that dreams do come true. Steeped in the practical complexities of this work-a-day world, we men are forced to admit that the Ideals of yesterday are the Realities of today. Boasted conservatism in its self- satisfaction fails too oft to sense the needs and demands of these quick changing times. This decade's Ideal, be- ing here today projected into a living Idea, brings its lesson of regret for our lack of foresight. 1t forces, how- ever, an appreciation of our responsibility, and, tremb- ling with its possibilities, we see a civic duty, strongly im- posed. Those who sensed the need, and with an initiative made possible this day, may well feel proud of a master achievement. The Women's College of Delaware is no longer a dream; its need, no longer a theory; its advisa- bility, no longer a question. Itisa beautiful, iving fact. And of this fact, vital in its import, the State has a right to be proud only in the realization that it has rendered simple justice to that part of its people in whose keeping rests most largely the destiny oPBclawart,s tomorrow, Success in recent events attending the entering class and today's enthusiasm, cause us to lay aside regrets for our past neglect and urge us to strongly resolve that chis Institution shall so claim our thought and attention that we may honor well the task imposed. We acknowledge today the demand, and accept the opportunity for public service.

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sp THE BLUE HEN sion courses which the Faculty are carrying forward, all go to show that the soul of the College 1s service, elaware College will fail in its mission unless as a result of its activities every acre of ground in the State ields a richer harvest, unless all breeds of stock on the g,arm are improved, unless the varied industries are quickened with new initiative and power, unless the life of the home is sweetened, unless all the schools are srrcnithcned. and unless the churches and all the agen- cies that make for a sound social and moral life are re- inforced. The influence of the College should tend to string with energy the arm of every worker and impart a noble idealism to the thought of every citizen. In fine, the task of an American college is to make publicists. When men and women have public-mindedness, all re- forms accomplish themselves through growth and self- renewal of social agencies. The Amencan college has faith in the force of an idea. It truses in truch wich all ies subtle potency and lasting power. ldeas alone endure. Early one morning 1 climbed to the height of the tower of the Milan Cathedral in order to get :Et majestic view of the Alps spread out in semi-circle, just as the peaks were lighted up by the rays of the rising sun. Here was the pyramid form of the Matterhorn. There was the white bosom of Mont Blanc. While I stood transfigured by this vision, I heard beside me the tapping of a mason's tools. When I turned and asked him what he was do- ing, he said he was fitting a piece of marble tracery into a niche,according to the plans of the archirect. Dead the architect was, hundreds of years ago, and vet here in the rwentieth century 1 was beholding his idea embodied in marble by the hands of that workman. This is a tense moment in the history of mankind. We can almost hear the crash of the cannon-balls as they fall upon doomed Antwerp, and the fate of that ancient city is only a symbol of the martyred nation of Belgium. The events that are now taking place in Europe, while they fill our hearts with anguisg, empha- size as never heg-;re the moral mission of America. We have cherished hitherto the freedom of our nation and its independent role in the affairs of mankind. This path outlined by Washington has brought Amer- ica to a moral prestige unique in the annals of mankind. So big with import is this fact that it furnishes occa- sion for solemn thought rather than national compla- ceney. Once I had the pleasure of worshipping in St. Giles in Edinburg, Scotland. My mind was wholly taken up with the historic scenes centering in that ancient edifice. Yonder was the table upon which the fathers signed the Covenant. Memories of John Knox erowded thick upon me. The venerable minister devoted a large portion of his prayer to our country, concluding with this ringing sentence: God grant that America, as she is eminent in position, so may she ever continue to be in moral power. That peti- tion voices the most fervent hopes of vour hearts. America is not so many millions of square miles. All the great states have been territorially small. Witness Palestine, Greece, Switzerland, Holland, England. America is not so many millions of population. No, it is none of these. America is rather a tremendous idea in process of realization. This idea involves equality of opportunity for all, the worth of the average man, a deeper sense of human brotherhood, and a passionate

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The State has builded wisely and well. You, Gen- tlemen of the Assembly, whose vote made this justice possible, m:lly feel already just pride in yvour wisdom, Your act will have a social and economic effect in every community in the State. You, the Governor of Dela- ware, to whom came the honor of fxing the official signature to the bill, have by this act and similar acts, stamped already wvour administration as The Educational Advance. X;rm ladies who presented this Ideal, and caused execution of this event, may well wear your laurels. Mothers' dreams are the true things in life after all. You, Members of the Commis- sion, into whose hands fell the exacting details, have right reason to be proud of this construction. Yours was a difficult task. With the divergent sentiment, the interested criticism of the State upon you, your success 15 no small compliment. Your administration of public funds is worthy of emulation. El he State Institution is typically American, For- tunes of birth or circumstanee, creeds old and of a newer day, are favored here with equal opportunity. The girl from the farm is welcomed with the girl of cultured social position. The State Institution furnishes not a finishing school for the drawing room of life, but a preparation for living that life wherever circumstances may dictate. '1Fhe Institution is now a fact. To the members of the Board of Trustees comes the duty of carrying the thoughts upon which it is founded into practice. Those of you who have made this day possible must transfer the idea to other hands with a sense of regret, You well have reason to question the wisdom of your successors in their administration of the work you have begun. While we as Trustees a Preciate the opportunity, we realize that its res'mnsill:tlitics are of no mean proportions. To take up the thread of your thought and realize a social service to the Srate will require study and insight worthy of our best energy. To be a member of suci a Board of Trustees and wor- thy of the name is no empty honor. To keep ever in mind irs state-wide scope and interest, requires a breadth of view that absorbs the tone of the educa- tional world. To assist in moulding the policy of administration, to select those men and women who are to teach within these halls, challenges more than ordinary thought. Toso catch the trend of the times as by our serviee to make an impress on the future life of the State answers sufficiently for the ambition of any man. This is no idle task. We realize that the State will warch our every act. Y ou must realize, too, that although you are placing the administration in our hands, vour advice is needed. Your work, although nobly conceived is not yet done. Success has not been attained but only made possible. The Delaware College for Women is today yours in fact as well as in theory, We must expect a continuance of vour loval interest and practical aid. With that our success makes for happier homes, nobler women, betrer citizenship, truer service. By virtue of the invitation of your Commission, 1, as a member of the Board of Trustees, with appre- ciation, accept these buildings. Dedicared o Truch, I believe 1 speak for the Board when I pledge such ser- vice as shall finish the work here so nobly begun. May this Institution, serving the future mothers of Dela- ware, be the lengthening shadow of our betrer selves.