2io Manhood and Statehood 



ible toil and risk, laid deep the foundations of the 

 civilization that we inherit, let us steadily remem 

 ber that the only homage that counts is the homage 

 of deeds not merely of words. It is well to gather 

 here to show that we remember what has been done 

 in the past by the Western pioneers of our people, 

 and that we glory in the greatness for which they 

 prepared the way. But lip-loyalty by itself avails 

 very little, whether it is expressed concerning a 

 nation or an ideal. It would be a sad and evil 

 thing for this country if ever the day came when we 

 considered the great deeds of our forefathers as an 

 excuse for our resting slothfully satisfied with what 

 has been already done. On the contrary, they should 

 be an inspiration and appeal, summoning us to show 

 that we too have courage and strength ; that we too 

 are ready to dare greatly if the need arises; and, 

 above all, that we are firmly bent upon that steady 

 performance of every-day duty which, in the long 

 run, is of such incredible worth in the formation of 

 national character. 



The old iron days have gone, the days when the 

 weakling died as the penalty of inability to hold his 

 own in the rough warfare against his surroundings. 

 We live in softer times. Let us see to it that, while 

 we take advantage of every gentler and more hu 

 manizing tendency of the age, we yet preserve the 

 iron quality which made our forefathers and prede- 



