The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-05-30
FINE ADDRESS
 DELIVERED BY
 L..D.HENDERSON
Commissioner of Education Addresses High School
 Graduating Class

Continued from Page One) up to the promptings of his higher nature or the realization of ideals which are tried and true. We are living under a democratic form of government. The tendency fo democracy is to level. The Declara- tion of Independence gives us a bad start with it's statement that "all men are created equal" Prop erly interpreted as applying to civil and political rights such a state ment is correct. If stretched to in clude intellect, natural physical and mental endowment, ideals, apti- tudes. interests, or any other human trait it falls far short of the mark Emerson said Men descend to meet" This statement probably is true in most instances because men are inclined to hide away their in- most selves and do and say the things which conform to hero opinion, to the standards set by the majority. We are all subject tc the tyranny of the majority. Does it dictate that the profession O. religious faith is indicative of a lack of reasoning ability and of an illogical mind? Then away with religion. Does the enjoyment of Chopin and Beethoven mark one as high-brow and an appreciation of jazz make one a good fellow? Then away with the masters and on with syncopation.
 And yet men need not descend to meet. They may ascend to meet as we do on this occasion when we gather to do honor to this gradu- ating class. Democracy is not of necessity leveler. The educated man and woman may emancipate themselves from herd opinion.
 Mastery of Self
 "Third-The truly educated per son has developed high degree of self mastery and is capable o1 positive self-criticism. I have placed this trait last because it is most difficult of realization. Mastery ano criticism of self presuppose stan- dards by which to judge, princl- ples and ideals to which one must force himself if need be, to con- form
 When a ship is on the high seas beneath fair skies, and under the Influence of favoring breezes il seems that compass and ruddef art almost useless. But when tht sky is darkened, when the storm breaks and the waves beat higf the captains eye is ever on the compass and the rudder holds tho vessel true upon her course. IT calm and storm alike the points oi the compass remain the same anc the polestar still shines.
 Thus it is with standards by which one motivates his life. Il the world were Static and if person al storms and stresses never arost they would be all but useless. But such is not the case. The worle moves at terrific rate. We art even now confronted by the prob lem of what to do regarding tht new literature, the new fashions II dress, the new. manners and GUS toms in society, the new defiance of old conventions, the new idea of right and wrong. These prob lems can all be solved if we recog nize the fact that there are i'm muntable standards of conduct ant living which were good in the day of Plato and Aristotle and whicl are equally good today. The es sential characteristics of true man hood and womanhood do no change. Truth. honor, fidelity kindness, generosity, loyalty, cleal thinking and living, love of Go and man-these are polestars whicl will hold firm and true the cours of anyone's life and the truly edu cated man or woman has discov cred them and thereby has master ed self.
 Possible of Attainment
 T place these three traits of a educated person before the mem bers of this class as possible of at tainment at least to high degree The world needs men and wome who can take the mass of buncomh