ADDRESS AT THE OPENING EXERCISE OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE SEPTEMBER 23, 1926

As we come here from the avocations and pleasure of the summer, we see all about us signs of the development of the physical plant of the College. It may therefore be fitting to suggest that a college is more than steam-shovel, concrete mixer, and piles of brick and mortar. Important as these all are, they are but the means to an end. The soul of any college resides in its history, traditions, and purpose.

More than fifteen decades ago, Dartmouth College was born in the imagination of a stout-hearted pioneer who, at a time of life when most men plan to lay down burdens for others to shoulder, came to this plain—then realistically and veritably a wilderness—to found an institution which should furnish the means of education "to Indians and other youth !"

Poverty most dire and struggles most strenuous were the handmaidens of the College, for decade upon decade, but all through the years great men strove mightily to establish in this north country an institution which should provide to inquiring youth the means for procuring an education.

I say procuring an education advisedly! There can be no such thing as having education placed upon us as though it were a garment, no matter how able may be the pedagogical haberdasher. More than two thousand men are to spend the coming year at Dartmouth College in order that they may be led out—the necessary impetus always coming from within. Powers of will and determination must be called into play in order that latent talents may be vivified, feeble talents strengthened, and that talents unsuspected and almost hidden may be discovered and made available.

In Harper's Magazine for August, Professor James Harvey Robinson has an interesting article entitled "How Did We Get That Way?" in which he makes the following statement: "All advancement in intelligence and insight depends upon our ability to call in question and reconsider what we have hitherto taken for granted."

If I interpret this statement correctly, it means that the truly educated man will gain the ability to overcome prejudices and become the fortunate possessor of

the "open mind." We plead, therefore, for hospitality for the new, respect for the old and tried, escape from the pride of opinion and a readiness to ask ourselves, "I wonder if I were right about that?"

In striving to reach this goal, the avenues of approach are innumerable. It is the bounden duty of the College to keep these avenues open, to make progress possible, and to guarantee guidance and direction through the intricacies of the journey by every possible method to furnish the means for an education.

I will not detain you longer by this word of greeting but will let the College speak in the words of John Milton. She says: "I shall straight conduct ye to a hillside, where I will point ye out the right path of a virtuous and noble education; laborious indeed at the first ascent, but else so smooth, so green, so full of goodly prospect, and melodious sounds on every side, that the harp of Orpheus was not more charming."

Football on the Campus before the game was organized