the destinies, dominate the affair and lead the intellectual and
artistic progress of our nation.
We have in this country an equality of rights, and it is the duty
of every individual to see that these rights are respected. On
the other hand, there just as truly exist an inequality of duties.
A heavy obligation rests upon the men of means and upon the
men of education to do their full duty by their country, for they
have a much greater opportunity 'for rendering her efficient ser
vice than has the ordinary citizen ; just so their responsibility is
correspondingly greater. This obligation rests on no class heavier
than upon the men who have a collegiate education. They are the
highest type of the educated class. In addition to the high stand
ard of scholarship and general preparation for civic duties, they
are peculiarly fitted for citizenship, since their four years of close
association with large bodies of students has afforded them excel
lent opportunities for the study of human nature and the inter
change of ideas and opinions.
No class of men, as a rule, are so well qualified for American
citizenship and public life as college graduates. It is on this ac
count that their obligations are so very great and are increased
still more by the fact that they are in a position to appreciate their
noble country and their duty toward her far better than the ma
jority of her citizens. They are the representatives of thought
among men, and their duty to society is the effort to introduce
thought and a sense of justice into human affairs.
Our country's need of intelligent and honest men, men of moral
courage and patriotism, has never been greater than in these clays
of national prosperity. Our population and wealth are increas
ing by rapid strides ; our national life and international relations
are broadening ; recent territorial acquisitions have thrust upon
us the great difficulties of colonial government. To grapple with
these weighty problems there is a great need for men with a
careful preparation for citizenship and public life, men of judg
ment and power, with a keen insight into the future. For without
the service of such men our country can never successfully meet
present issues and those which arc likely to arise in the future.
College men may fulfill these needs in various ways. They may