Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-02-14
LEST WE FORGET.

Inc address delivered by President Kane at the
commercial club dinner on Monday evening, with
the central thought of Kipling's great poem as its
theme, was a masterpiece of timely and constructive
patriotic thought. 1t was not a piece of Aorid ora
tory. 1t was decidedly different from the fulsome
eulogy which characterizes many patriotic deliy-
'erances. But it was full of thought, and of a kind
of thought which is peculiarly needed at this stage
Of the worlds history, and at this stage of our own
countrys development.
DR.. Kane sounded Kipling's solemn warning
Lest we forget" in a message which must be cheer
ing and energizing to those who, taking only a
superficial view, have feared that the nation had
dragged its anchors until it was about to be dashed
on the rocks. And to those who, glorying in the
power and might of the nation, have been inclined
to rest idle and contented in the assurance that this
state would continue without further effort; there
was the reminder that other nations, while at the
very pinnacle OF power and prosperity, had really
started on the downward course which resulted in
their destruction. 1t was a message calculated to
convince one that there is need that each citizen
who loves his country shall grid himself for further
'endeavor, and to inspire him with the assurance that
his effort will not be ~fruitless, but will aid in estab-
fishing the nation still more securely, and in help
ing it onward to still further t%riumphs.
Just a word about the man who delivered this
message, and about the institution which he repre-
sents.
We have been passing through troubled waters.
The world has been shaken to its very foundations.
Some of the landmarks by which we were accus-
toned to guide Our course have been swept away.
Some have been buried out OF sight. We have been
uncertain of our directions. Nerves have been tense
and judgments untrustworthy. Everything that is
shas been subjected to criticism. In our haste to
nd ourselves of the undesirable we have been ready
TO grasp at methods and devices whose only recon-
mendation was that they were different, and that
(which, at best, could be only a slight anelioration
was welcomed as a panacea, to be rejected con-
unanimously when it failed to operate as a cure-all.
Existing methods and institutions were charged
sawith responsibility for evils for which they were not
hzponsibe.
With thought confused and lacking direction
sfour educational institutions have experienced the
ssefull brunt, not merely Of the searching examination
ITO which all human institutions must be subjected,
often of a criticism both unreasoning and ua-
reasonable. In the emphasis which has been placed
On defects which unquestionably exist, there has
been a strong tendency to lose sight of all but the
Edefects, and to overlook the splendid service which
kreal leaders m the field of education were rendering
their country.
The people Of the state of North Dakota, and
the people of the city of Grand Forks more par
fhcularly, are fortunate in the fact that during this
trouble period there has been at the head of the
University of North Dakota a man with the vision,
the balance and the quiet courage of Dr.. Kane. His
task has been a difficult one. Cross-cnfrents have
whirled furiously around him. But he has kept his
head and moved steadily on his course, winning and
Holding confidence. and carrying into his work the
spirit which is expressed so splendidly in his adj
dress.