The Washington times., 1924-10-02
DUREEE SPEAKS
At OPENING 0
HOWARD |.
University President Stresses
Part Of Laws il Modern
Society

Formal opening Of Howard Uni
versity for the school year 1ss4-26
was held yesterday in the Andrew
Rankin Memorial Chapel on the
university campus. The exercises
N connection with the opening In
CliIded a professional OF the
academic faculty from the steps OF
the University Carnegie Library to
the chapel where the student body
was assembled. The professional
was lead by Doctor J.. Stanley
Durkee, president Of the university,
and Doctor Emmett ]. Scott, secre-
tary.treasurer.
'The opening OF our university
year is fraugnt with vast signift-
eaace," Doctor Durlkee declared in
his opening address yesterday. To
the student, new fields Of knowl.
edge win be disclosed, new visions
1T what is the real purpose Of
human living.
Everything her Is yours to use
and enjoy. Immense toll and vast
sacrifice place this university, with
It's wonderful facilities. at your dis
rpsal. have been scanning the
years to gain an enlarged sense OF
that toll and sacrifice. / would like
10 call the names and review the
struggles Of those men and women
who gave Of their all in time, talent,
sacrifice. conservation and vision,
that there might stand here today
such an institution of learning, q
peer with the great institutions OF
the world, and, in many respects,
Outranking most in the Significance
az our tasks and achievements.
'But there are laws which must
govern you In the use OF there SUBJ
lime privileges. Laws are necessary
for life. Chaos would otherwise pre-
vain and rank confusion would fol
low. Laws are necessary for so
Ciety whether in America or Europe
Or Asia or the islands OF the seas.
Indeed, all our studying but reveals
laWs-laWs of nature. laws OF the
mind, laws Of existence. Gaining
knowledge of those laws and obey
ing them constitute the development
Of any civilization. OF course, the
laws we make for our own govern
ment and that of our society are
imperfect, because we ourselves
are imperfect Only absolutely per.
feet beings could make absolutely
perfect laws. 1t is our duty as
students to grow into the most
perfect beings of which we are
capable that we may assist in
bringing more perfect laws for our
government. Laws which are wrong
or imperfect must be changed by
those who see. One OF the dangers
Of this day Is the struggle OF those
who do not see to overturn con
stituted law FOR fanciful dream OF
even to share in universal chaos.
Your attitude toward present
law ana order determines largely
your happiness or your misery
Change laws college laws, State
and national laws. il you have
real construction to offer, but az
some one has said. do not take
down the shutters until you have
something to put in the windows.
Know the laws of your univer'
aity life. Study your student
manual. Cooperate with us in
bringing the greatest happiness ia
the greatest number. Where in,
dividually you might wish for more
freedom. always consider the needs
Of these thousands of students
about you and learn to sink your
individual wishes into the common
good for all.
University life has its peculiar
problems. You face conditions here
which, though somewhat different
from the life outside the university
yet bring a training which viii
prophecy your success or failure In
the great world battle into which
you ere long will CO.