The commonwealth., 1915-10-14
University l22 Years Old.

The University celebrated her 1872
nd birthday on Tuesday, Oct. 12.
DR.. j. H. Kirkland, Dean of Wander
bilt University, delivered the annual
address: his subject being Patriot
ism---A new Interpretation. Fol-
lowing is an extract from DR.. Kirk
lands speech.
Undoubtly there are new duties for
the citizens Of to-day. Obedience to
authority and respect for law and
order do not sum up the demands
made on US now. We should not
stand aloof looking at government
as an outside agency Of external con-
troll. We should rather regard it
as the expression of our own high
est activies. The citizens of to-day
must make positive contributions to
the work Of government. Modern
democracy means the application of
comprehensive plans and efforts on
large scale, at public expense, u,,-
der public supervision, for the pro-
motion of human welfare. The in
terest OF the State is the interest Of
society. Fer the settlement of all
these problems patriotic citizens
must exert mselves. One favor
ite method Of working to-day is by
establishing societies for furnishing
information on some special subject
for ag.tating in favor Of some spec
ial reform. But while the most eff
ficient service is usually rendered by
large societies, one individual may
sometimes start movement of nat
ional significance. Again and alain
there is one leader--man or woman
who streets work Of national impor-
tance and becomes in a small COM
munity the radiant point of some
special form Of civic service. A
poem may be written or an arti lie
for the daily paper, and from this
may date new era.
"Our nation was born in spirit OF
devotion. Our government was Wrou.
ght out with with care and conse.
Grafton. Our liabilities haye been main.
| tanned at sacrifice of treasure anC
blood, and who knows how often still
these expenditures may be calico
for to preserve our freedom? A
Canadian boy employed in civil ser
vice lay dying in Rhodesia. Will
smile on his face he said to hi
friends, 1t is glorious to die for tn
expansion, Of the empire If it i
glorious to die for territorial expan
sion, why not also for the expansion
of life, for uplift Of humanity, fo
S freedom Of the spirit, for the per
), fection Of civic character.
a The Alumni Committee struck
new note this year. Hitherto it hs
contended itself with mere invita-
tion to all Carolina Alumni to com
!, down to Chapel Hill for the exerci
: es held there every October l;
4 This year the Alumni letter hs
o been changed. The old invitatio
o to come down to Chapel Hill. {
il course, still holds good; the follow
i ing extract from this years alumr
letter shows the difference. "W
trust that wherever, throughou
the State and country, as many ;
: two or three alumni can come t.
- gether that they will meet formal
. or informally, preferably Monda
: night, October eleventh, and, in ac
- :. dition to the usual pleasures of sue
gatherings, that they will have SON
~ direct apd uneloquent discussion {
L. University problems, and devele
some definite, practical plans Il
cooperation with the University
it's work. We want Alumni Assoc
alton in every county in the state
ID be a sub-station for radiating t
: public service activities of the u
= iversity into every home in t
county -