Evening star., 1951-04-22
5000 at Hood
For Convocation
On Democracy
Senator Smith Speaks;
Degrees Go to Gen.
And Mrs. Marshall
By J. |. MiehoeI
Stur Sfrff cnrrasnondant

Staf Siaff Correspondent
FREDERICK, Md, April al
Women can best safeguard de-
rnocracy by faithfully performing
their traditional and most i'm
portant" duties as wives, mothers
and homemakers, Senator Mar
garet Chase Smith, Republican. of
Maine, told the 500 girl students
of Hood College today.
Speaking to 5000 persons in the
brilliant sunshine that flooded the
schools outdoor Hodson 1ne1ye,
Senator Smith said, however, that
there is for young women broad
concept OF service based on inde-
pendent thinking.
Such thinking, she declared.
can be translated into action
through, articulation at the polls,
in public forums and in everyday
life"
Senator Smith. the only woman
ever elected to both the Senate
and the House, was the principal
speaker at the afternoon session
|of tfree-day convocation which
had as its theme The Defense Of
Democracy"
Strong Religious Note.
The convocation, biggest event
in the 58-year history of the coll
lege set amid green fields at foot
of the Blue Ridge Mountains, will
end at pm. tomorrow with a
vesper service.
A strong religious note has
dominated every phase of the
varied program. chiefly because
the school is affiliated with the
Evangelical and Reformed Church
which has started drive to raise
$750, 900 to expand campus facili-
ties.
Earlier yesterday, Defense Sec
retary Marshall urged the students
to learn to appreciate the basic
principles of freedom. Then the
If1ve-star general raped the
knuckles of Hoods and all other
American faculties with an as
sertion that teachers distinctly,
and very dangerously" have failed
to make clear what these things
really mean.
Critical Period of History.
"At this time" said Secretary
Marshall, when we are passing
through one of the most critical
lperiods of the history of civiliza-
ton, it is important that we un-
derstand the people Of other lands
who can neither move nor speak
freely and are never free Of mortal
fear.
1--WE are so ignorant of such
matters" he added. that often we
say insulting things"
1.-THE Russian people for many
years had a decided leaning to-
ward US. but are no wbeing stead
lily turned against this country"
The Defense Secretary said it is
not difficult to understand whence
stem our failures in this respect
since America became a great ma
ton suddenly. in fact, almost in
simultaneously.
"Our Nation did not begin to
realize its power" he asserted.
until Dewey sank the Spanish
feet in Manila Bay"
Awarded DOctOrate,
Secretary Marshall was intro,
duced by Senator O'Conor, Dem.
ocrat of Maryland. After his ad.
dress he was awarded an honorary
electorate of literature by DR.. AM
drew G. Truxal. president of the
college.
A similar degree was awarded
the generals wife, katherine Tup-
Iper Marshall, in a ceremony DR..
Truxal said had been kept top
secret. Except for the generals
full connivance."
"Your service in behalf of
worthy causes for the community
and the Nation, DR.. Truxal said
to Mrs. Marshall, would alone
Ientitle you to high honor. But we
prefer merely to say that the
words Of the marriage ceremony
To love. honor and cherish, come
truly alive in you."
DR.. Truxal also conferred an
honorary doctorate of humanity
on Senator Smith, who was intro.
|duced by her colleague, Senator
Butler, Republican of Maryland.
Gov. McKeldin, in a welcoming
address, briefly reviewed the early
history Of the State and the
establishment of religious liberty
at st. Marys City.
Referring to the concept Of
wornan's role in the defense Of
democracy, Senator Smith said
there lis tendency to set
women off from men. And, she
declared. II don't like that"
II wish there we're more women
in Congress. more women in top
positions in the executive and
judicial branches of our Govern
nnent," she said. But in that
wish I regard the role e''of home
maker as being far more im-
portant than the role in public