The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-06-02

Auburn, June 1.-(Special)-To the Inspiring strains of the college orches- tra and dressed for the first time in four years as unit in civilian clothes, 115 members of the class of 1920 marched into Langdon hall this morn ing to become the central figures around which were built all the inter- esting exercises and events of the forty-eighth annual commencement of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute. The hall was elaborately decorated with potted plants and flowers, while back of the stage hung the historic flag containing over two thousand blue and gold stars, indicative of Auburns con- tribution to the world war
 After a short invocation by pr. Phil lips of the First Baptist Church of Mobile, Acting President E. B. Ross welcomed the vast assemblage, and after referring to the pleasant rela- tions always existing between Van derbilt and Auburn, both in the college life itself and on the athletic field, he introduced pr. Edwin Mims, professor of English at Vanderbilt University, who had been invited to deliver the baccalaureate address. In acknowledg- ing the pleasant introduction of Dr. Ross, Dr. Mims said:
 "The sting of defeat Is lessened and the honor of victory is frightened when one contests with a worthy opponent.
 To-day is an important one in the annals of college life. Many a family finds the fruition of it's hopes and sac rifices in the exercises Of this day. All the members of the commonwealth of learning and culture are lifted to new levels of consecration. Newspaper paragraphers and cynics, however. make light of this occasion. The hard est part of life is to relate the prac- tical and the ideal. For three years at this time. we have been dedicatins our highest endeavors to the wagins of a war of patriotism and ideals or rejoicing in the victory of sonsecrated efforts. We have said we will in peace continue the work of war, but Whai is the truth? Have our dreams of g world league and a new nation come true? We have but to look around to find the pages of present-day history smeared and besmirched with the quar- rels, contentious and struggles of one class against another. As Secretary Nealy wrote recently to friend Il war is hell, what then is peaceT
 "We cannot escape tragedy. With but one exception in history no spec. tacle so tragic has been presented al the career of the present occupant o> the White House. Exalted by popula, acclaim to the chief magisteracy of tn, nation. he guided the craft of state with success through the channels o' domestic peace and constructive leg islation and impressed his high ideals upon the pages of history. With skill and discretion he guided 'our destinies through the war, and al it's close stood almost supreme as a center of world wide fame, confidence and influence and now, no matter what the cause his fame and influence have beer shorn from him. What country i' this in which such a thing can happen Of what is America thinking?
 q point to Detroit, where labor ant capital are thrusting the bayonet ovel the barriers at each others throats and I bring the challenge to you mer for service to your country. your state and to the world. This is the time fol constructive critics and prophets. sTh' times demand trained leadership, mel of vision of ideals and of civic con sciousness." F.
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