Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-02
ANNAPOLIS MEN
GET DIPLOMAS
FROM HARDING
Secretary Tells Graduates to
Earn Respect of En-
listed Men
BE EVERY INCH A MAN

ANNAPOLIS, Md, June 2.-While
President Harding and many high rank
ing officers of the Navy looked on ap-
provingly, Secretary of Navy DENLY in
dulged in some plain talk" today to the
260 members of the graduating class Of
the Naval Academy who received their
diplomas from the hands of the Presi-
dent at Dehlgren Hall.
Speaking from the standpoint Of one
who has been both an enlisted man and
an officer In the Navy and In the marine
corps Secretary DENLY cautioned the
young officers against the foolish vanity
Of rank" and advised them to win the
smiles" Of their men, which are better
than any decoration"
OVER-IMPORTANT
HELD IN CONTEMPT.
No one knows better than L." said the
secretary, with what great respect the
enlisted men look upon an officer who
is every inch a man. No one knows
better than l with what contempt the en-
listed man views an officer unduly Dur
dened with the weight of his own i'm
portance. We need not worry about our
rank. Our fitness for it will be justly
appraised by those associated with us.
The enlisted man will quickly size you
up. He wants to like you. He wants
to respect you. He properly feels that
he is too much a man himself to want to
be commanded by one lacking any essen
tial element Of manhood.
"Go to your men simply and naturally,
a man among men. giving the best that's
in you and expecting good work in re-
turn. There is a smile in the Navy and
Marine Corps that men reserve for those
they respect and like 1t is better than
any decoration. Try and win it.
PROPER STUDY OF
MANKIND Is MAN.
Remember, too. that in spite Of many
inventions and the tremendous increases
in human knowledge, still the proper
study OF mankind IS man..
Secretary DENLY closed his address
with a warning to midshipmen against
the dangers ashore"
These dangers, the Secretary said, are
more dangerous than those the gradu
ates would be called upon to face at
sea and he closed with a word Of warn
ing to keep yourselves clean in mind
and body"
The President and Mrs. Harding and
small party OF officials motored from
Washington for the graduation exercises
this morning. They were met by Rear
Admiral Scales. the commandant, with
full honors. The presidential salute Of
twenty-one guns was fired. as was the
salute Of nineteen guns for the Secre-
tary Of the Navy.
WILL ONLY DEFEND
AMERICAN CONSCIENCE"
81 hope you never will be called upon
to draw a sword or FIRE a gum" said
the President, after delivering commits
sions to the graduates, "and ! promise
you, young sirs. that so long as / am
your comanderin chief, you never will
have to fight except In defense of the
American conscience and for that you
will be able to answker to God and to
your fellow man"
Il want no craven republic" continued
the President. Il wan tan American un-
afraid. a republic of conscience. repub-
lie Of sympathy, a republic of strength
and a republic of high ideals" The Pres,
ident alluded briefly 10 the difference OF
opinion that exists over the question OF
being prepared for war. Without com
mitting himself other than to state he
wanted "a republic strong and unafraid," ;"
the President told the young officers that
there is nothing nobler in the world than
to defend ones own country.
And keep this in mind" he said, that
he fights best who fights justly"
The President had not Intended to
speak at the ceremonies here today, but
after Secretary of the Navy DENLY had
finished and the commissions had been
awarded ne was prevailed upon to ad-
dress the graduates briefly.
The President and Mrs. Harding mo-
tored back to Washington this afternoon.