Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1922-05-29
G CAPITAL AND MARYLAND

APlTAL AND MARYLAND G
In this trying period your class ac-
quilted itself well Your course for
four years has not been all plain
sailing; that would not have been
worthy of your country. the service.
the Academy. of your family, or you.
AS 'Plebes' your memories OF the en-
trance examinations were proof
enough that you had been compelled
10 fight to get into the Academy. and
your recollections today Of the daily.
weekly. monthly tests, and of the an
nual, and semi-annual examinations,
make it clear to your minds that YOU
have been compelled to fight TO stay
in. and indeed to get out. And in adj
dition, at least indirectly, you have
had to fight for your commissions.
Hardest Fights Yet To Come
But your greatest fights and tests
are yet to come. Your preparation
for the start is finished. From now
on you win have TO do for others as
well as for yourselves. What has,
with generous hand, been done for
you. from now on YOU will have to
help and guide. You will have TO
lead
THE Navy is no place for weak
lings. physical, mental. moral, or
spiritual. Our country-the whole
world-expects an officer of the Am
erican Navy to be man of honor,
truth, courage. loyalty. service. and
self-sacrifice. On Friday next you
viii become alumni of this Academy
She will then certify to the nation
that you have been tested and found
worthy.
Have Proved Worth, He Says
what stirring. what SOLDERING
and steadying thought - that this
Academy is ready and eager 10 put
her reputation into your keeping as
you have been found worthy to be en-
rolled; though only as beginners
with the noble souls who have made
her name like that OF the service she
serves, the symbol of the highest and
hest that history records. She is
known the world over as The Mother
OF Men, In war and in peace, on the
sea, in the sea, in the air, and on the
land. her sons have proved her titles
In your days and mine there have sal
in this chapel regularly, some who in
their lives and by their deaths in the
cause of country and of God have
proved that she is still turning out
men.
Now Share In Glorious Trust
"A glorious trust you have beer
called to share. Your alma mater ha!
full confidence that you will measure
up to your responsibilities. From the
day you entered her walls, she has i'm,
pressed upon you that what you arc il
vastly more important than what yol
havo-that qualities and habits ar,
more important than possessions
character than position; self-respec
and honor than popular applause.
God Whose l am and Whom
Serve God through country. Your
commissions ought to mean q new
conservation of all you are and hop,
to be to God Almighty in the service
of our beloved country-a definite &C
of self-oblation and surrender in you
Utmost soul to God and His will TO
you-and your life thereafter a stat,
toward Him and to your fellow-meI
issuing from that act You cannot b,
true to your country, your ship. you
men. your family and friends, If yor
are not true to God
Loyalty, Foundation OF All
Loyalty to God is the foundation Il
every other and there is no substitute,
for it. The conquest of fear, physical
and moral can come only from al
| abiding sense of the presence anG
help and protection of God, and ths
lorgetfulness of self which doe.
come in full measure only to thoss
who have their daily walk in Him
cost whatever It may. AS God ex
poets much more from you than yor
can do without Him, let Him be a rea
vital factor in your daily routine
Have a definite engagement with Hin
at least when your days work begin.
and ends. Then will the hours be.
tween, more likely be yours for Hin
ana His in you. He will be your guide
and strength
Must Lead And Inspire Others
Soon you will be at your posts o.
duty. The call of duty is Gods voic,
to you. Then it will be yours to lead
and inspire others. You will be re-
sponsible to God and your country
There is no influence greater thar
that of good example Like Priest
Like People and Like Oficer, LilS,
Men, Few officers today limit their
interest in their men to drills, muster
and witnessing of pay checks. Your
men will follow your lead in other
spheres than the official. Your in
fiuence upon them and the help you
COX nwy+- -. e. .