Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-12
At THE NAVAL ACADEMY
Graduating Exercises OF the
Class of 1906.
7O4 RECEIVED DIPLOMAS
Secretary Bonaparte Addressed the
Graduates.
PROMINENT PERSONS PRESENT
An Impressive and Beautiful Scene
Traditional Gayety Somewhat
Marred by Hazing Sequences.

ANNAPOLIS, Md, February 12.-The ca
reer of the class of 1906 at the Naval Acad-
emy was brought to its close officially in
the magnificent new armory this morning
when Secretary of the Navy Charles ].
Bonaparte delivered 70 10i members OF the
class their coveted diplomas in the pres
ence of fully 2,JG0 persons. In the large
crowd were the families and friends of the
graduates from all over the country, and
while not marked with the joyousncss of
similar occasions in The past, the scene was
an impressive and beautiful one.
Secretary Bonaparte arrived shortly after
10 o'clock and was met at the station by
Rear Admiral James H. Sands and his
aid, Lieut.. Commander r T. Magruder
He was taken at once to the superinten-
dents residence where he was officially re-
ceiyed with military honors. \ company
of marines from the academy barracks was
drawn up to receive him and as the car
riage entered the academy inclosure the
Secretary's salute of seventeen guns was
fired by TIE shore battery.
No Reference to Hazing Incidents.
At the arnory the official party entered
by the southeast door and proceeded to the
platform at the opposite end Of the long
room. while the two batta!ious of midship
men drawn up on each side to form a long
aisle presented arms and the band played
a flare.
The speech of the Secretary did not re1er
I'm any way TO the present conditions At
the academy. which, however. have ma
terially affected the traditional gaycty OF
the occasion and cast danper over the
whole weeks ceremonies His address was
short and Immediately followed the open
inG prayer by Chaplain II. II. Clark, T..
About z, 500 Persons Present.
There were present at the ceremonies
fully 300 persons. the galleries of the
big granite armory building being filled
from one end TO the other. The relatives
and friends Of the graduates occupied sea.s
on the first floor. to either side of the plat
form. upon which Secretary ROraparte ana
other officials were seated The graduates
occupied chairs Immediately in front of -he
platform.
The graduating class IS composed of 1l5
members, but eleven of them did not
Ceive the coveted 'sheepskins," because Of
the fact that three are to answer charges
for the hazing of fourth classmen. and
eight others were found to be deficient III
Cne or more branches of study the le
suit of the final examinations Their GER
tihcates were therefore withheld.
The deficient ones win be given a special
examination later on in the year, and until
they successfully measure up to the marx
Secretary Boraparte's Address.
Secretary Bonaparte spoke as follows:
'Midshipmen of the graduating class: To-
day ends your childhood. During the past
years of your life YOU have been growing
into men. The days to begin tomorrow viii
show into what manner of men you have
grown. The academy has done for you
what 1t could in the time given IT, The de-
partment would have gladly given it six
months more for its work had there been
six months more 10 give; for | a least hold
n fun course none TOO long for all il has to
do. But the academy exists for the navy.
the navy exists for the nation: and the
imperative needs Of the navy tha
vital interests of the nation demand that
you now take up tho burdens of your pro-
iesslpnal life. If You have gained all YOU
could and should have gained from the
training here given you, it VIII be well for
your country and well for you. II the
months spent here have been ill-spent,
none can tell how much Of loss and sorrow
this may mean to many and most surely
OF all, to yourselves.
But whether employed frultfuIy or un-
frGlttuHy-whethcr well used or wasted or
worse than wasted-your time here is end
ed; your days at the academy are behind
you, and you stand face TO face with the
prpo-ei ms. the labors and the duties of
your chosen profession
Young men, YOU have chosen a military
ne; me tuli significance Of that choice if
now ielt 10y YOU as hope and believe 1t is
no far as your youth permits is vet bv no
means recognized by all of your fellow
countrymen. The rights to life liberty and
The pursuit Of happiness are declared. on
weH-niGh the highest mercy human author
ity known to Americans to be foremost
men tlnalieu1hieD, yet you have alieped
these rights You have given your lives
your freedom Of speech and action yopr
opportunities TO seek happiness so far as
happiness depends on aught without YOUR
selves. INTO the keeping of other men
Oh NOT -
laws. For nine out of every ten votin1
Americans. standing as you stand here nj
the threshold of their life work success In
nte means success I'm money making the
pursuit of happiness means the pursuit of
wealth; your profession holds ont no money
prizes; unless enriched by mere accident
you must look forward to dying poor men
and leaving your children little beyond a
claim on the nations gratitude
Even the most elementary of what are
called natural rights the right TO protect
ones self from bodily injury inflicted nv
lawless violence. you have surrendered. =.
were you. or your comrades Of the sister
service called upon to quell an insult YOU
or they would take passiYely missiles and
blows no less than curses, until you heard
the word of command And for the protec-
tion OF your reputation, something of far
greater value TO men of your education and
surroundings than personal safety, you
must again trust 10 the equity and the
vigilance of your Superiors, an equity and
n vigilance which / hape will never he
found wanting. l have sen lately published
statements 10 the effect that here ana at
Vest Point the country gave way an
education. What think Of such statements
IL would not accord with the restraints of
official position for me to say"
gut II Is true that the two national
academies are the scenes OF gifts Within
their walls young Americans give. and give
freely, TO their country what Is beyond
barter and above price. what no multi
mllllonaire could purchase and no trust
could own-their minds and hearts their
hopes and lives, In short. themselves
My young friends, you have made this
gift. and IL you have made Il from the
heart and without reserve. you have done
well. IL you leave here meaning to be true
sailors. and not fake sailors, TO be faithful
servants OF your country and not mere
pensioners. under pretext OF service you
have chosen no less wisely than worthily.