Evening star., 1934-06-04
GRADUATES HEAR
I. PLEA FOR JUSTICE
Sir WiIImott Lewis Is
Speaker at American u.
Commencement.

Stressing the "interdependence" OF
individuals and of nations, Sir Will
mott Lewis, Washington correspondent
of the London Times, today told the
graduates of American University at
commencement that social justice
was one of the greatest needs of the
world and warned that selfishness
without regard to others was danger
ous not only for the individual but
for the social structure Of which he
is a part"
Z Among the LOG graduates from three
schools of the university was Miss
Grace Henrietta Roper, daughter of
the Secretary of Commerce, Daniel A.
Roper, who attended the commence
ment. Miss Roper received the degree
of master of arts, and her thesis was
Imperial Preference in the British
Empire. With Particular Relation to
the United Kingdom and Canada"
Stresses Universal History.
After reviewing the stream" of his
tory briefly, Sir Willmott said: There
can be no full understanding of ma
tional history which does not take ac-
count of universal history; of the
mighty confluence of forces working
on from age to age, which have their
meeting in every one of us here today;
of the order in which each stage and
state of society has followed its fore
goer; of the thousands faithful hands
that have. one after another, each in
their several degrees trimmed the
silver lamp of knowledge and kept the
flame bright from generation to gen.
Grafton and age TO age. now in one
land and now in another. from its
early spark among far-off dim Chal-
deans down to the good workers Of
our own day"
The speaker declared that it was
not in the sphere of material culture.
but that of social justice" that he
would invite his listeners to explore.
History is not a philosophy teach
ing by example but morality teaching
by example" he said. "and morality
and social justice are one ano in
civisible."
Social Quality Highest.
In conclusion Sir Willmott declared,
"the primary quality Of man Is his
social quality; his capacity for living
and working adequately with other
men, adjusting his mind to theirs,
maintaining certain faith and un-
broken loyalty, despising cruelty and
ensuing justice. So. in our humble
way. can we swell that common tide
on the force and set of whose cur
rents depends the prosperous voyaging
OF humanity"
Outstanding among the many prizes
announced was the college honor
prize, to Earl G. Kernahan, graduate
of the College of Liberal Arts, of AIT
Colorado avenue. This prize, an
nounced by DR.. George B. Wood, dean
of the College of Liberal Arts, was
for excellence in scholastic standing,
character, leadership and participa-
ton in college activities. He Is the
son of DR.. A. z. Kernahan, clergyman.
Chancellor Gray Presides.
The commencement exercises were
held in the gymnasium auditorium on
the college campus, and were pre-
ceded by the traditional academic
procession from Hurst Hall across the
campus. Will Hutchins. professor of
art at American University, was chief
marshal. The program opened with
music by the college orchestra. under
direction of DR.. C. H. Leineweber.
Opening prayer was by Rev. D. o.
Cowles. Announcements of honors
and awards we're made by DR.. Woods
for the college, and announcement of
fellowships was made by DR.. Lucius
Z c. Clark. dean of the School of Poll
4 tical Science and of the Graduate
School.
DR.. Joseph M M Gray, chancellor
of the university. presided and con-