New Britain herald., 1925-06-03
PEACE THROUGH REASON IS AIM
(continued from First Pass,
Text Of Address

Members Of the Class Of 1925: The poet reminds us that "Knowl- edge comes, but wisdom fingers" It may not be difficult to store m in the mind a vast quantity of facts within a comparatively short time. but the ability 10 form correct judgments requires the severe dis cipline Of hard work and the tenn pcring heat Of experience and ma turitN By your previous prepara- ton and by your four years course at this institution your diploma will testify that you are possessed Of knowledge. Your future life will reveal your attainments In wisdom. I have come here 10 express the faith that your country holds in your abiding worth and In your ability to succeed.
 You have chosen profession which represents one of the great military arms of our government, You will be constant testimony throughout your lives that America believes in military preparation for national defense, for the protection of the rights, the security and peace of her citizens. You will be called to placesof responsibility and com mand. You will be given the power Of life and death over fellow coun- trymen. You will represent the power, the glory and the honor of this nation among foreign people, with all the prominence that arises from wearing the uniform and car rying the flag. What you are the American sailor will be, and what you represent the American navy will represent in the ports Of our own country and In those of foreign peoples where little will be known of the nature Of authority under lih- erty, save what is learned from you. You have been chosen for this high calling.
 The Real Profession
 But while you will serve the na- tion in this special field of endeavor, you will not forget that the real pro- fession of every American is citizen ship. Under our institutions each individual Is born to sovereignty. Whatever he may adopt as a means of livelihood, his real business IS serving his country. He cannot hold himself above his fellow men. The greatest place of command is really the place of obedience, and the greatest place of honor is really the place of service It is your duty Tn 1 the part you propose to take to make the largest contribution you can to the general citizenship or your country.
 Not long ago I heard navy chap lain refer to the sage advice of the Apostle to put first things first. 1t was my understanding that this meant putting proper emphasis on what is essential in life and disre- garding so far as possible that which is accidental, The great body of American people will, l hope, al ways be devoted to civilian life. Their main purpose has been and will be the maintenance Of an hon. orable peace. It may not have oc- cured 10 some of you, but l feel warranted in asserting it to be true that your success lies in giving a very large support 10 the civilian 1 life of the Nation and to the pro- motion of the public peace. It were not convinced that this is true, l should question the usefulness Of the National Navy.
 If we are to heed the admonition to put first things first, a very little deliberation would reveal to US that one of the main essentials which lies at the very beginnings of civilization | is that of security. IL is only when people can feel that their lives anu the property which their industry has produced today will continue to be safe on the morrow that there can be that stability of value and that economic progress on which human development has always rested. We do not know of any peo- pie in history where this has not been first provided through some form of monarchy supported by 8 sufficient military force. This condi' ton of security has long been pro verbally characterized among Eng
 lish-speaking people as the king'I
 peace" All violations of that secur
 ity were crimes against the crown
 as in our republic they are crime
 against the state or the nation.
 It is only when such peace and se
 curity have been achieved unde
 well-establishe customs and tn
 orderly process of the law that ther
 is any opportunity for the advance 4 N