Speech

3; 'j SWARTHMORE IN A CHANGING WORLD Remarks by Thomas B* McCabe, f on Alumni Day at Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Junu 10, 1950. This day is our day. All of the other days of the year belong to the college but this one is exclusively ours. To the casual bystander this celebration, with its parade and stunts, must seem fantastic. To the cynic we must appear as simple Seritiraentalists. But to us it is all a very real reliving of a rich Past — a past that becomes increasingly treasured as time speeds by. The occasion is of special significance to those who have Raveled the longest distances and made the greatest sacrifices to get For all of us it is a holiday —• a time when we can renew old 1endships, revive old memories, dream old dreams, and recapture the Venturous spirit of our youth. Perhaps some of us have a curiosity in coming back because ^We i certain sense of satisfaction in seeing how much older our s a ^temporaries have become than we, A glimpse of the undergraduates, °v/ever, i positively depressing because they get younger and younger s 1 each successive reunion. My class undoubtedly must havp seemed y young to the alumni when they gathered here in 1915 in the old ^itheater with its memorable wooden stage and benches to see us gl^uate. Ours was the largest class in the history of Swarthmore up that time. William Howard Taft "was our Commencement speaker, and 1?ecali the hectic time Dr. Alleman had in finding a chair in the icinity of Philadelphia large enough to accommodate Mr. Taft's huge ) _ - ^ 2 frame. It was a frightfully warm day and the perspiration ran down the ^-President's face in rivulets. The subject of his address was "The Church, Civilisation, and pi i magnificent appeal for the creation of a league of nations. e mac e a He met the next day in Independence Hall with a group to consider the Plans for such a league. Taft was a realist,but probably even he did appreciate the obstacles that would have to be overcome in the long hard road that we and other nations would have to travel to attain the goal. It was on this stage also that I played the part of Bottom and ''°re the ass's head in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" — our class play. Tllat ass's head has haunted me ever since. I hope that some of my fiendish classmates are not going to crown me with it again today! Per- haps the helicopter ride was sufficient to satisfy their sadistic inclin- ations. In the most exciting part of the play, I lay prone on this stage, SuPposedly asleep, on the very spot where I am now standing. Mow you will all agree that the girls in our class were beautiful, and that evening, ^ssed in shimmering costumes, they danced and fluttered around me, C°VGring me with flowers. I/Iy classmates will recall that at that point Ui m°st broke up the show. Try as I might, I couldn't pretend to be ^ P, but shook all over with uncontrollable laughter. Right now, in G Nostalgic mood of reunion, I would like to play that part again, Par* • Ocularly if those same beautiful girls would come up here and skip •^ghtly through their dance. ) - 3 - I recall also another incident on this stage when, as an undergraduate, I was asked to speak to a group of visiters invited here ky the Society of Friends* That speech was delivered with all the sincerity and enthusiasm of youth but some of my finest phrases came home to mock me a couple of years later when we entered the war. The d®cade prior to 1915 was a stirring era in which youth, especially S'7^rthmore' s youth, wan in th3 midst of an idealistic ferment which left .p ew Of us untouched. The most callous student could scarcely get through Allege, and certainly not through Sv/arthmore, without being moved by ta3ic religious influences and the insistent demands for social, political, anci economic reforms* Who of us can ever forget the stirring *vcrds of Woodrow Wilson, uPoken here in my senior yoar* when he said, "I csmet admit that a man es"tabli hes his right tc call himself a college graduate by showing me s diploma* The only way he can prove it is by showing that his eyes are lifted to some horizon which other men less instructed than he have not been privileged to see Unless he carries freight of the spirit he 0 Jjij. not been bred where spirits are bred . Mitchell Palmer, Governor Sproul and other leaders were fre- quent visitors to the campus* I will never forget Mitchell Palmer's a j onition to make our dreams come true or the fiery words of the great ^gelist, Billy Sunday, when he spoke to us in Collection in p6Wary 191$. When I hear alumni refer glowingly tc the conservative faculties of fh gocd old days in contrast to the radicals on university faculties Cc*ay, my mird goes back to the Swarthmore faculty of my time — to such ) h - - controversial figures as Scott Nearlug, Dr» Brooks, cr Ducky Holmes. They incurred indignation of parents and alumni far more actively than artything we hear today. Our youth coincided with the development of the progressive Movement in politics. The influence of Teddy Roosevelt as President and his Bull Moose party in the election of 1912 was everywhere. Woodrow Wilson became President while we were in college,, The women's suffrage m°ve:re nt was then in full sway and clasnes in political science through— °ut the land were studying the many burning questions of the day, includ- ing "the Initiative and Referendum, the direct election of Senators, the new Federal Reserve Act, the Income Tax Law which was enacted in 1913, anci public control of national resources. All of these proposals had been designed to redress the balance between what was termed the rights of the people on the one hand, and the Power of concentrated wealth on the other. Not only were these questions Abated actively in the classes of Dr. Brocks, Dr<? Robinson, and others, well an in intercollegiate debates, but more importantly they were subject of intense discussion all over the campus In those formative years, we also saw the birth of dynamic ideas ln the business world — the concepts of scientific management and mass pr°duction which promised to make feasible the twin goals of high wages the worker and low prices to the consumer. No one then dreamed the e*tent to which the material standard of living has been raised and human ^udgery eliminated by mechanization. Technological advances have afforded us almost unlimited opportunities similar to those afforded generations by westward expansion. D ) - 5 - Our interests were focused primarily on domestic problems. That Preoccupation was shattered, by the outbreak of "Torid War I while we were in college. None of us could foresee how this event v/ould affect our lives and the destiny of o<ir nation. You are all familiar with the much quoted remark of Lord Morley's ^at the most important thing to know about a man is the year of his birth, > think it could be paraphrased to read that the most revealing fact to know aboilt a man is the period of his education. In retrospect, the Swarthmore of 1911-15 was a friendly, kindly ^ace in which the family spirit permeated the relationships of students, aCulty, and everyone connected with the college. The scholarship require- ments seemed adequate then. I admit now they were not too exacting. We had time for social and athletic pursuits as well as other extracurricular acUvities. We made good use of that spare time I Our social and recreational act"ivities were confined largely to the campus, and there were few outside di- vcr 5 ions. There were no convenient movie theaters, and transportation was "^ited to the railroad or the short line, except in the rare instances of an a^tomobile. All sorts of extracurricular activities flourished. They included robust diversions as the Monks and Devils, the annual Keg Rush, Sophomore- 1 Ashmen fights, hazing activities, and the water fights in Wharton. On the rr'°r ecultural side, there were the Dean's teas, sorority parties, Maypole °esi and Greek plays. We were in the beginning of a transition stage in athletics. n I entered college, many of our football players were receiving ^i assistance or given college aid under some guise. That did not > Y - 6 - seem to bother the consciences of colleges generally in those days, except ln a minority of instances, because winning football teams were considered Necessary to the public relations program of colleges and to the preserva- tion of student morale. I mention the athletic side because it constituted woof if not the warp of college life at that time. I think it can be said without emotional bias that during our Period, Swarthmore was a charming, delightfully social and friendly place spend four years,, The moral standards of personal conduct, due to th influence of the Friends, were exceptionally high* The c°llege romances that blossomed into marriages, then as now, hold an UllUsual record for happiness. Probably no other characteristic of Swarthmore is more significant. There was a close and excellent relationship between the students anci faculty, and to us the faculty heads were giants of intellectual power n w standing,, Perhaps I am prejudiced in saying that men like Miller, jfov, ot,ter, Alleman, Goddard, Blessing, Brooks, Hoadley, Hull, Robinson, eruUson, Harriot, and women like Miss Bronk and many others, could not, "team, be surpassed in any other small college of cur time. I will ever forget the friendliness and inspiration of these people. They ar9 ^ Unsung heroes and they, rather than any other single remembrance of ^arthmore, epitomize ray love and devotion to this great institution. Since being graduated from Swarthmore, I have made my home near av Allege and I have had the rare privilege of clcse association with Board of Managers, the faculty, and the students. I have observed at , fAn ,c x t hand the changes which have taken place in the student body, in - 7 - the curriculum, in the faculty, and in the physical environment. I have seen the pendulum swing from one extreme of leadership to another — fr°ni the leadership of Joseph Swain to that of Frank Aydelotte. Quite Rurally, the contrast between these two types cf leadership created c°ntroversies. I have always been a prejudiced supporter cf the Swain regim9, because it touchcd me in the most formative years of my life. Upon Sv:ain's retirement, the Board of Managers after exhaustive search Elected Dr. Aydelotte as the most outstanding man in the country to lead Jarthmore along a new road in the field of education With the coming of n r<> Aydelotte, almost overnight Swarthmore became a pioneer in modern ^thods of education* In amazingly few years it rose to the top rank, acadernically, among the colleges in this country. The transition from a small cloistered, parochial, and easy- college to a modern center of study and culture was so swift that it lofx many of the alumni bewildered and gasping for breath. In short ^r this little Quaker institution was headlined and dramatized as oils of +1 the most interesting educational institutions in the land. Other °^ege began earnestly to study its experimental ventures. Credit must 3 5-LVen to the Quaker overseers for supporting this departure which y could not immediately evaluate or explain. They believed in Frank ^ ie and gave him practically a free hand to inaugurate and carry °ut hi o 111 s program. It was not until almost ten years, or about to the midpoint of e Aydelotte regime, that the friends and alumni of the college really Qrstood the program. The succeeding years I like to think of as the ^ng of an era of goodwill, a period characterized by increasing - 8 - alumni appreciation and support. When Dr. Aydelotte resigned after twenty years of vigorous leadership, he took with him the appreciative gratitude of the Board of Managers and of the college for his outstanding contribu- tions. The present administration, under the wise leadership of John *Jason, has preserved the best of the Aydelotte regime and at the same time has allowed the pendulum to swing a little more toward center by a renewed emPhasis on some of the best traditions from the Swain regime. Dr. Mason ha 3 added many new ana desirable innovations which have been received with ac°laim by the friends and supporters of the college. Many elements enter lnto the present well-balanced program* There is emphasis on a strong °ulty, on an admissions program that has for its objective a well s°lected student body, on cultivation of student-faculty and alumni-college r^ationships, and on adequate provision for vocational guidance — all •^°°king toward a well-rounded, liberal education and spiritual development id the beautiful surroundings we see all about us. Under the present regime there has also been particular stress 0ri the opportunities and responsibilities for public service. Many mem- bers of the present faculty have distinguished themselves in Government. Whwao never more proud of Swarthmore than in the early days of the war en this Quaker institution, in spite of its traditional stand against > offered all of its facilities voluntarily to our Government in time of ueeci. John Nason's announcement of this decision electrified the at our annual dinner in Philadelphia, It was so dramatic and billing that he was applauded and cheered for several minutes. *) , • " ll ^ - 9 - As of today, Swart h-more*s educational program is stronger than ever. The college is in the vanguard of our country's progressive educa- tional institutions• Our alumni support, as evidenced by the annual gifts program, is gratifyingly strong. The size and quality of our faculty compares favorably with any institution of its size. I can testify from many personal contacts in my home with present members of the student body that it is one of the best in the history of the college. The beauty of this campus is acclaimed not only by the students, faculty, ar*d alumni, but by the ever-increasing number of visitors who make Pilgrimages here to see the arboretum and other places of interest. As alumni coming back today to this spot so close to our hearts, we have every reason to be confident that Swarthmore can meet the challenge the emerging future. In this crucial period of the world, neither delightful conform- ity to a set pattern nor distinguished intellectualism for its own sake °an save us from the catastrophe which threatens us. The weakness of SUch conformity is that it is a static thing which neither pioneers nor a°hieves new heights* The danger of strict intellectualism is that it may breed a form of social isolation from a world filled with the very Poetical problems of millions of ordinary human beings, These problems ln their broad aspects are economic, social, political and emotional ^th intensely human implicationsIn a deeper sense than most of us realize, or are willing to acknowledge, there are moral problems. Now, "^lity must not be confused with sanctimony, Rather, it is a code of c°nduct which should guide all human affairs. : ' 3 • • | - 10 - Swarthmore is richly endowed with these physical, social, intellectual and moral attributes which may serve to make it the most dynamic institution of higher learning in America*, A college does not become dynamic through sheer force of numbers.. Rather, it becomes dynamic because of the philosophy of those who guide it. We must prepare our young people to go forth into this confusing world with humbleness of sPirit, openness of mind, and an intense desire to make the world a better place than they found it. You will forgive me if the following quotation has the earmarks Preachings But I give you these words because I believe them with all % heart: "Said the cynic, 'I could have made a better world than this,' To which the sage replied, 'That is why God put you here. Go do it.1" If, as I suggested earlier, one of the most revealing facts to know about a man is the period in which he received his formative train- then surely those who have been in Swarthmore during the past few lears have a unique background of training and experience. Consider that vast majority of our recent men students have had from one to three ^ears of military life before coming here — a life full of responsibili- ties which took many of them to the corners of the world and through a 5eries of maturing and broadening experiences. We all have had contact Vri-th these young people. Their knowledge and perception of world affairs an3 world problems is astounding. They combine idealism with impatience soft thinking. Their educational experience at Swarthmore has been ad3ed to their other qualifications. Do not underestimate for a moment potential. It is impossible to predict the extent of the contribution th ley win make by the time they have reached the average age of our group today. .....J J - 11 - They vdll revitalize for us, I am confident, one of the essential traditions of the American heritage, namely, a love of adventure and oppor- tunity and a willingness to incur risk in the pursuit of great aims. Part the worldwide trend toward dependence on government instead of individual initiative has its roots in a philosophy of security. Our young people today know from their own experience that overemphasis on security is a .false goal. There is no safe haven, no bomb shelter, that can protect the individual rrom the major hazards that are sweeping the world today. The only path to survival lies in facing our difficulties and dealing with them. This V/as the path our forefathers took vrhen they carved out of the wildnerness a civilization dedicated to freedom and liberty. This is the path our youth have followed to preserve and defend those freedoms. Yfe need have little fear that they will try to escape their responsibilities by seeking 5ecurity through isolationism. It is our problem to preserve for tomorrow's students as much as •Ye can of this flavor of world-consciousness that they have contributed to Ca*npus life. The great unsolved problem of our country is its role in Vorld affairs. The faculty and administration will bear the brunt of this but we of the alumni will have to make it possible to secure and hold a -Acuity of the requisite quality. I have lived for the greater part of the past ten years in the ^idst of the Washington scene where it is alleged that sound travels faster than light. I have watched hundreds of men of all types come and in the supreme effort to solve the problems of the moment. During the War period miracles were performed by bringing together the best brains - 12 - and ability of the country in a united effort to attain victory. Drains and ability are just as vitally needed today to achieve and consolidate the peace. Almost overnight we have been thrust into the position of world leadership. Vie are still handicapped by lack of experience and by ^e long tradition of isolationism bred into us for generations. The •fear of European involvements was expressed in Washington's Farewell V, essage, in the Monroe Doctrine, and in our failure to join the League Nations. 7ith such a heritage, we now face the most complex problems — World, problems with which men of bigotry and little minds are totally ^able to cope. Domestically we must maintain an economy strong enough meet our new obligations and to withstand the global trend toward totalitarianism and socialism. This trend, if allowed to become rooted ere, would destroy o\ir liberties, suppress free enterprise, and strike at he heart of our American way of life. Just as we met the challenge of the ^r by commandeering the best of our brains and ability, we must again utilize our best in a united effort to meet the truly momentous problems <;hich face us at home and abroad. We must not allow the worn out shib- °leths of petty politicians to color our decisions. The times demand °nrageous leadership and statesmanship of the highest quality in govern- i business, as well as in education. n After the war, the departments of Government were depleted by th-o rapid exodus of scores of our ablest men returning to their normal Pursuits. No one then envisioned the reality of a cold war, the huge v t Q 1Jmo of expenditures required on our part to restore the ravaged ec°noniies of *7e stern Europe, or the resultant dangers of inflation at home. - 13 - ^e have faced a series of major crises which we have been ill-equipped to fleet* In spite of urgent calls to men of training and experience to take UP again positions of responsibility in Government, all too few have been willing to respond. If I read the times aright, this era of emergency will not soon If Swarthmore is to fulfill its role it must give positive encourage- ment to its graduates to participate warmly, actively, and intelligently the Nation's service. This is not a new aspiration. It is one to which we have long keen dedicated, We have only to look at the inscription on Clothier. How truly prophetic was Woodrow Wilson, and how felicitous the choice °f the message to keep ever before our eyes: "You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand

Thomas B. McCabe (1950, June 9). Speech. Speeches, Federal Reserve. https://whenthefedspeaks.com/doc/speech_19500610_mccabe

@misc{wtfs_speech_19500610_mccabe,
  author = {Thomas B. McCabe},
  title = {Speech},
  year = {1950},
  month = {Jun},
  howpublished = {Speeches, Federal Reserve},
  url = {https://whenthefedspeaks.com/doc/speech_19500610_mccabe},
  note = {Retrieved via When the Fed Speaks corpus}
}