The Stars and Bars : an address / by Rudolph Matas.

  • Matas, Rudolph, 1860-1957.
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The Stars and Bars : an address / by Rudolph Matas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    The selfish, as a promise of advancement, at least to a man’s own kin, And common minds, as a flattering fact that men have been told of their existance. ’ ’ Recognizing this undying element in human nature, the rulers of mankind have never failed to provide tangible marks of public approval that could be worn as special badges of distinction by their possessors. From the ancient laurel that crowned the brow of the Greek poet, or the Roman conqueror, to the Victoria cross, the ribbon of the Legion of Honor, the order of the Red Eagle, or the Iron Cross, the Carnegie medal in this country, and other thousands of emblems with which every civilized nation recognizes merit in every career and walk of life, these symbols of human approval are held as precious possessions, and by many af the recipients, as precious as life itself. It is said, that Marshall Canrobert, of Crimean fame, was lying grievously wounded and helpless on the battle field of Inkermann. As he lay expecting the approach of death, he heard the rush a of Cossack patrol and fearing he would be robbed of his decorations, though feeble and exsanguinated, he gathered strength enought to tear the grand medal of a Commander of the Legion of Honor, which still clung to his breast. Feeling for the large gap in his chest, which had been caused by a saber thrust, he plunged the precious decoration into his own flesh, thereby effectively concealing it. Later, when rescued by his own troops, the decoration was extracted from his wound, and he recovered to serve his country with glory in many other battlefields. And so it is with the symbolic keys that let down the bars and open the way to the stars, which you, young men of the Senior Class of 1914, have earned for yourselves on this memor- able Thanksgiving Day. Keep these keys as precious mementoes of your first success in your early professional career; not so much as rewards for deeds done, but as tokens of encouragement from your peers and your elders in the accomplishments that are ex- pected of you. For the last three years you have traveled over a long and anxious road, through an arid and thorny country. Those of you who have kept in the lead of the caravan have reached the first oasis and are now quenching your parched throats with the cool and refreshing waters of the gushing spring of the desert. Are you to remain and linger here? Nay, none will stay