New-York tribune., 1921-06-03
I'll Never Order You to
Fire a Shot Except in
Defense of Right, He
Pledges at Annapolis
Service to Nation
Noble Occupation
President Asks 200 New
Navy Officers TO Help
Build a True America
FROM a STAG Corresponde,,s

ANNAPOLIS, Md. June 2.--'I know
OF nothing nobler in this world than
the defense of ones own country" sail
President Harding to-day. addressing
the 260 graduates of the Naval Acad
emy at Annapolis in Dahlgren Hall.
THAT is an inherent thing in man,
planted in the human breast by God
Almighty in His bequest on human at
talnments. and there would not be civ
Ilization to-day If men were not willing
to give their all for the preservation
and life Of their country" the Presi-
dent continued
The Chief Executive spoke after he
had personally awarded each budding
ensign his diploma. Admiral Scales,
'he commandant of the academy, and
Secretary Of the Navy Denby had both
spoken previously. But the sight Of
the stalwart 260, immaculate in their
white duck uniforms, the remainder of
the midshipmen in blue grouped behind
the outgoing class, proved such an in
spiration that the President was moved
to speak contemporaneously
Il am glad you are going forth to
contribute to the security Of your Re-
public said the President. az hope.
sirs, you will never be called upon 10
draw a sword or to fire gun except in
expression of those comities that go
with the service, but | promise YOU that
while l am your commander YOU will
never be called upon to fire gun ex-
cept you can do it with the conscious
ness that you are right to answer to
God and to your country.
Il do not mean by that that ours is
to be the craven republic. | want an
America unafraid. I want you to help
me make republic of conscience, a
republic OF sympathy, a republic Of
strength, g republic Of high ideals; and
the men who must lead in that attain
ment are the men who are made funda-
mentally able by the processes of edu-
cation"
Air Filled With White Caps
After the address of the President
the graduating class broke ranks, as
sembled in the center Of the floor and
observed the traditiona! custom of
throwing their white caps into the
ranks of the thousands of spectators.
Sweethearts and mothers scrambled for
the souvenirs and the air was filled
with white caps as they sailed into
the balconies. A moment later the
newest naval officers were doing a
snake dance and singing the old navy
song "The Long River" to indicate
that finally the last long river had been
passed.
The men graduated to-day made up
the first class which has taken the full
four years course since the country
entered the war in 1917. The President
in his address said:
81 have had very great pleasure in
handing the graduates their diplomas.
thought could not permit the pro-
gram to end without saying word to
the class in general and to express my
owr pleasure in being present on this
occasion. The Admiral and the Secre-
tary have spoken about the gracious
ness of the Executive in coming here.
That is all wrong. The Executive has
had not only pleasure but inspiration
in coming here.
~ am more than happy to greet this
addition of trained men to the ranks
of American defense. A good deal is
said nowadays about the materializa-
tlOn ana IHe brutality OI preparing Tor
defense. l say to you young men of
the graduating class, and to the mid
shipmen to follow you, know of
nothing nobler in this world than the
defense of ones own country. That is
an inherent thing in men, planted in
the human breast by God Almighty in
His beauest on human attainments, and
there would not be civilization to-day
if men were not willing to give their
all for the preservation and life of the
country. / think there is a marked
distinction between some of the basic
inclnations Of life.
Blend of Two Spirits
"preservation Of the established
order is one thing and it is highly
essential. We must always be ready
to preserve and to maintain the things
upon which our civilization rests. Cru
sading for new order is quite another
thing. Sometimes it is most nobly in
spired, sometimes ill-advised: but
think the highest attainments in our
Republic lie in successful blend of
an established order and the enthu-
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