The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-06-05
DR.. J. H, KEEN'S ADDRESS

| High School was delivered Friday even
ing at the Auditorium by DR.. John H.
Keen of the Chair of Philosophy in the
University Of Texas at Austin.
DR.. Keen's address was one peculiar.
ly fitting for the occasion. 1t was
thoughtful and intensely practical.
The Auditorium was packed with pat.
ronS and friends of the school. The
Graduating Class consisting of seven
young ladies were seated on the stage
and after the address of DR.. Keen,
Supt. W. P. Annette in an appropriate
manner presented diplomas to the
pupils completing the Grammer School
course after which Principal AyleS.
worth in few select words delivered
the Diplomas to the High School
Graduates,
DR.. Keen said in part: This is most
interesting age to live in. II is character
lied by intensity Of action. Everywhere
people are hurrying and worrying in
the attempt to earn bread. In the
midst of such activity, there is little
time for thought. Thought is always
in inverse ratio to action. The great
masses must act; they havnt time to-
think for themselves sufficiently to
direct their courses in the WiSest way.
The paramount need of the age, there.
fore, is wise leaders.
This is particularly an appropriate
occasion for such discussion as this.
because from the graduate of our High
School must come our ninety per cent
Of the leaders of the next generation.
In tn country less than fifty per cent
of the school children ever pass the
fifth grade; only five per cent graduate
from High School; and only one per
cent ever enter college, Yet from that
one per cent come seVenty.fye out of
every one hundred successful men of
this generation. believe as thorough
ly as any one in common school educa.
ton, in compulsory education, in the
Introduction, for the masses, of the
practical courses Of education. A
parent who has not long headednesS
enough to let his boy go to school ought
to be made to do so. A child is a poten.
tial citizen of the State as we'll as a son
or daughter, and the State has both a
right and duty to see that the right
kind of intelligent citizen is the product
OF its growth and training. This com.
mon school education is one great
branch OF education, and will always be
for the vast majority of people. It
education of muscle for the bread win.
ming. am not silent ON this because |
am not aware of It's Importance. but be.
cause must make choice and this oc.
CaSion is the place for talk about an.
other type Of education That for
leadership as well as broad.mindedness
What are the characteristics of true
leadership? When one is to lead those
who dre too busy to study and know
for themselves, one needs to be brave
and honest. Look about you and pick
ten men who are leaders in journalism,
in the profession, in politics, or in the
pulpit, What is their attitude toward
their constituents? Nine out of every
ten have their ears to the ground in an
attempt to catch the advance Imurmur.
ings OF popular clamor. And according
to that do they form their policies and
platforms. Such people are not fit to
be leaders, they are demagogueS. They
ought to be relegated to the day of for
gotten things. The really wise leader
is he who goes before his people with
convictions formed after deliberate
study and asks their support because
of what he stands for, and does not
merely stand for what he thinks they
will support. Some of our leaders in
politics are very we'll described in the
Pullman porter'S story. A man had
stepped upon the little platform to
board the train for long trip. He
turned to tell his many friends goodbye
The porter caught hold of his coat and
said, "MiStuh. miStuh, this here plat.
form is to get in On, not to stand on
We need leaders who get in on the
platform they can really stand on after
they get in.
Next, a leader must be man who
knows what he is about, Many good
honest fellow is defeated by dema.
gogue and a rascal. really have no
sympathys to waste on the man who
gets defeated, l do feel sorry for the
public. In addition to honesty and
courage one must have ability tohan.
die the questions and people that he
must deal with. President Wilson
handles both houses of congress be.
cause he knows what he is doing and
the men who are doing it. Lastly,