Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-14
GRADUATES HEAR
PLEAFOR LEADERS
Higher Character and Learn
ing Needed, National U Class
Told by Justice Hatfield.

Americas Federal. State and COM
munity governments are in trouble TO-
day because of the moral cowardice and
incapa bilities of their "so-called lead
ers," Justice Charles S. Hatfield of the
United States Court of Customs and
Patent Appeals declared last night at
National UniverSity'S SD annual con-
vocation in Memorial Continental Hall.
Addressing the graduate recipients OF
354 degrees in courses on the purposes
Of a university, Justice Hatfield as
serted that the university undertakes
to develop mentality capable of as
saying the facts, spurious and real,
which life is sure to present"
This" Justice Hatfield explained
Requires the ability to think and to
reason. 1t also requires the power to
weigh all alleged facts. With the ability
to think and reason, one learns to
doubt and at the same time learns to
govern and direct that doubt"
In addition. Justice Hatfield con-
tinued. the university has for its pur-
pose the development OF mental honesty
and moral courage.
perhaps much Of the trouble in
which our governments Of America
Federal, State and local-flnd them
selves involved today" the jurist as
serted, lis due to the failure of the So
called leaders in private and public life
to measure UP to the standards fixed by
the university.
Lack Of Capabilities.
Some are mentally incapable Of
thinking and Of assaying the facts Of
life In the face of new facts they are
confused and bewildered. They accept
fallacy for wisdom and reject wisdom
for fallacy.
Others possessing the ability to learn
the truth are lacking in mental honesty
and in moral courage. In the latter
group those who have honest convic-
lions are either unwilling or afraid to
stand by them. In the face of emer-
gency they become timid, not daring to
express their honest opinions nor to
stand by their honest convictions.
Some, obsessed with a mania for
agitating the emotions of the shallow,
who themselves are confused and be-
wildered by facts which they do not
comprehend. are false to themselves and
to those whom they represent and a
challenge to the future Of this re-
public"
Again. quoting Lord Bryce to the
effect that mo form of government
needs great leaders so much as de-
mocracy," Justice Hatfield contended
that never in the history Of this coun-
try has leadership been of greater i'm
portance than at this very hour" 1t is
needed in every walk of life. he said
in finance, in industry and in state
craft.
Democracy" the Federal jurist de-
clared, in America is facing chal
lenge greater than ever before. This
Is no time to have patience with the
demagogue He is the greatest of all
foes to an enduring America. With
leaders possessing the ability to think
and to ascertain the facts, combined
with the mental honesty and moral
courage. America can face the challenge
without fear"
Justice Luhring Honored.
The exercises at which Justice Hat
field spoke was attended by one of the
largest groups of brilliant legal minds
ever to witness a college graduation.
Virtually the entire membership Of the
District of Columbia Supreme Court
occupied places on the stage in salute