Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-23

more honored than the medical, by mem
bers rich in all that dignifes and ennobles
work. The glory OF the so-caled liberal
professions will be sadly dmmed IL the
work of their members Is wholly spec
ialized. 1t is true that the individual
members of any profession must be iden-
titled with and absorbed in their calling,
but 1t is even more true that there must
be manhood. a personality, both intel
ectual and moral, which embraces and ex-
ceeds the special calling.
The frequently urged objection to secur-
ing liberal education, the cost of time,
Is more imaginary than real. A mature
and well trained mind can give odds to
number of years and come out ahead In
the race of life. The standing and repu-
tation of the professional man depends
more on the power and strength of mind
he brings into 1t, than from the number OF
years he has spent In 1t. The value of a
liberal education to professional men
as the leaders of thought and action Is
one of the most important phases of the
whole question. Our educational institu-
| tons are In largo measure what our
professional men demanu they should be-
Lower the standard of theprofessional
schools and you will lower the standard
of education all along the line. The last
man that can afford to make broad the
road to a medical diploma is the doctor
| He. If any, Is bound TO insist on the high
standing and integrity of his profession
Never were men of liberal culture more
needed than now, especially II TO their
intellectually are added the will and ca
pacity for moral influence character to do
| its full work must be weighted with intel
| ligence and training to makes tself most
deeply felt. We must know much of what
others know in order to impress them
with those vital and eternal truths which
they may have disregarded or utterly re-
| jected."
of welcome to the students and gave n
short address, saying in part.
| at takes a good deal of courage to say
what Mr.. Landon has just said, as I have
| found from personal experience. Several
years ago when l spoke on the same sub
| ject, / was Kissed while Mr.. Jandon to-
day was applauded. That marks the prog
ress we have made If vote were taken
to-day we should all be in favor of high
standard for both entrance and examina-
| ton We should also be in favor of rails
| ing them for two reasons, there is dan
ger of crowdng the profession. If the
standards are to remain as low as they
are in some places this would surely be so.
Every move of this kind gives dignity to
the profession and makes 1t more honor
able. The time has come when medicine
Is called a science and that deserved
| ly. 1t Is now system of re-
lations in which cause and effect play
| their proper parts. 1t is rational system
and no one will believe in 1t unless they
can see this relation. No practitioner, who
can not prove that he is a rational man
will be believed In. When a young doc
tor gets his diploma and begins to prac-
tce he must first get the confidence and
respect of the community. Two elements
enter into this. knowledge of his business
and his character. Every community Is
asking questions concerning these fac
tors about their physicians. They mus
give a large place to intelligence and
character outside of their profession. Some
are here who can remember the medica
profession in the city here for the last
40 years. Two names stand out pre-em
inently DR.. Horace Hatch and DR.. S. w
Thayer. Both were of great intelligence
and high moral character. There are
such men, however, in all communities
who should be held up as examples. Re
member that there is a great responsible
ity upon you all with reference to YOU
personal character"