And in what does the professional man’s renown consist? The answer
comes from the teacher in the hall of learning; from the physician in
his closet; from the artist in his studio; from the statesman in the
nation’s council; from the minister of God in the pulpit; from the
counsellor in the court room. And it comes from the soldier on the
battle field; for the soldier is a professional character. It comes
in the still small voice of the civilian’s intercourse; and it peals
with the thunder tones of war. It tells of triumphs which the mind, in
its improvement, has achieved, and of the trophies reared by hands of
educated skill. There is no department of life in which the American
boy may enter but will afford him honor and honorable success, if he
seeks it in a manner that is becoming in the American character.
And these are the results of education. They are the results of
education, in its improvement, of the American mind. And to the
achievement of honor, in whatever is honorable, that he may undertake,
the American boy may aspire. He may be an eminent mechanic, or a
successful merchant; or he may gain distinction in the ranks of
professional life. And eminent in the department he occupies, as a
social character, as a patriot and Christian, he shall have attained
the distinction he sought; and when he passes from this world, he shall
leave behind him an honored name. Like our model Washington, he shall
leave a character among his people which shall be remembered long after
he has departed. And such a palm as this is worthy of a lifetime to win.