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ADDRESS

AT HOLY CROSS COLLEGE, WORCESTER, ON COMMENCEMENT DAY, JUNE 29, 1893.

REVEREND RECTOR:

I

AM deeply touched by your kind words and by the hearty welcome Holy Cross ever gives to the Governor. Coming to you somewhat wearied after a month of visits to schools and colleges, I find in this beautiful summer scene rest and peace, and in the young life around me encouragement and inspiration. I gladly bring you the congratulations of the Commonwealth that another year of prosperity and happiness has blessed this institution, fitly rounding out its half century of useful life.

It is one of the happy coincidences of the Governor's experience that at the close of the college year his final visits are to Harvard and Holy Cross, the one specially recalling the virtues of the early life of our Commonwealth, the other the larger freedom and toleration of later days, but both essential factors in her development and prosperity. When I visit Harvard, — the broadest, greatest university in the land, as I her son believe her to be, I reflect less upon her present power and grandeur than upon the days of her early beginning. I think of the heroic work of her Puritan founders, of their courage and character, of the largeness of their vision, of their strength of purpose, of their noble determination to make education the very groundwork

of our Nation, and of the schools, the seminaries and colleges which in this spirit they founded and cherished. With respect and reverence I recall their labors, and thank God for the priceless contribution they made to our national life. Then I come to Holy Cross, founded by men of a later generation and of a different religious belief. I find here an institution which our Puritan ancestors hardly would have welcomed, a Catholic college to which my early predecessors would have brought only with hesitation the congratulations of the Commonwealth. Yet to-day, as she extends as hearty a greeting to Holy Cross as to Harvard, one is impressed by the change which has come in her own life. We see how she has broadened out since the early days, cast aside old prejudices, and, freeing herself from narrow restrictions and limitations, become a mightier State, because tolerant in opinion, broad in thought, and just and generous in her love for all her children. As a Catholic and Irish exile1 stands upon Plymouth Rock and praises in undying verse the sterling virtues of the Pilgrim fathers, and as many a man with their blood in his veins pays his tribute of love and respect to this Irish poet and patriot, we know that times have changed, and we rejoice that in our emancipated Commonwealth religion is not now a matter between the individual and the State, but only between him and his God. We rejoice that Massachusetts takes to her bosom all her people, without regard to race or creed, or to any accident of birth or fortune.

May I close with a word to these young men who now step forth from Alma Mater to become our fellow-students and workers in the world outside. If my words have not the weight which years and gray hair would give, they come at least from one who has not been so

1 The reference is to John Boyle O'Reilly.

long away from college life as to have forgotten its activities and pleasures, but long enough, perhaps, to know something of the larger life into which you now enter. Carry into that life the same vigor, courage, and honorable ambition which have marked your college days, and maintain in it the same high standard of character and manliness. Remember, the advantages you have here received are held by you in trust, not to be selfishly enjoyed, but to be used to help your fellowmen, and that, as the world ever needs the light of knowledge, so does the duty rest upon the scholar freely to give what freely he has received. The work, the struggle, the victory in the contests of later life are but the repetition of experiences you have had. Bring to these contests, with your training and education, the zeal and perseverance of your college work and sports, and no man need fear failure; but remember that there is something greater than material success, that more important than making a living is the making a life. So

"Grandly begin; though thou hast time

But for a line, be that sublime.

Not failure, but low aim is crime."

The valedictory has been spoken, Holy Cross has said farewell. As her doors close upon you, and with sadness you part from Alma Mater, I give you the salutatory of the Commonwealth, her welcome and godspeed as you take your place of usefulness and honor in her larger life.

SPEECH

AT THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF WILLIAMS

A

COLLEGE, OCT. 10, 1893.

N honorable, useful life, whether of an individual or institution, is always worth commemorating, not only as our grateful remembrance of worthy things accomplished, but as a duty to make them an influence helpful to the present and the future. And when such life is part of the history of the State, interwoven with her work and fulfilling her high ideals, it is fitting that she should give it her recognition and commendation. So to-day as old Williams gathers her children hither to celebrate her anniversary and to renew their loyalty to her, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to us a living, loving personality, gladly comes to rejoice in her rejoicing, and to offer her greetings and congratulations.

I esteem it a privilege to be her representative to bring to you her message: yet not as her representative only have I come; but, greatly honored by this College, I am no longer a stranger within your gates, but permitted, as one of Williams's children, to kneel with you at her feet, and with gratitude and love to call her "Alma Mater." It is true, I am a recent alumnus, born perhaps, in the words of the apostle, "out of due time." It is also true, as sailors say, that I have come in by the cabin window rather than by the hard work of the forecastle and deck. If, because of this, I cannot under your adoption be received into full standing in the

family circle, may I hope to be recognized at least as one of her warmest friends, glad to come whenever the children gather at the old homestead.

In this presence, and amid these scenes so full to you of cherished recollections, I hesitate to use the precious minutes in which others will tell of the work and life of this College and, recalling to you familiar faces and old days, give fresh glow to the fraternity and friendship which bind closely college men each to the other, and all to Alma Mater. And yet the presence here of the Commonwealth suggests that a word should be said of the relation of Williams to the State, and of higher education to her people.

I doubt if in all history there is an instance where the founders of a State so distinctly felt and clearly forecast the influence and necessity of the highest education for the success of their grand work as did our Puritan fathers and those who followed in their footsteps when they created and developed our State and National Governments. They seemed to comprehend the importance and result of their labor, to know that they were founding institutions for generations to come, whose happiness and welfare depended upon the fathers' wisdom and foresight. So they determined to make education through public school and college a permanent, permeating influence to strengthen character, promote good citizenship and the prosperity of the Commonwealth.

in the estab

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We all remember the first instance in this Commonwealth of this purpose of the founders, lishment of the college at Cambridge. poverty they gave it; with struggle and sacrifice sustained it; in prayer and pious faith watched over it; and brought the full power of Church and State to guide and govern it. In the terse and simple lan

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