P. O'Sullivan

“ If you take the part which, from your education and antecedents, may be expected, you will have numerous opportunities of rendering valuable services to your countrymen, many of whom will be glad to be guided by your counsel and example. A group of earnest, educated, high-minded men working in union for the advancement of the people and enforcing upon all classes prudence, thrift, uprightness and fair dealing in the conduct of their affairs, would exercise an influence for good upon the people beyond what is possible, I believe, in most other countries by like means. ”

“ Some of you will probably devote yourselves to the education of youth,—an occupation which demands the highest qualifications and the successful exercise of which will be attended with feelings of satisfaction and pleasure exceeding those to be derived from most other callings. Many of your predecessors, past graduates of this University, have, I believe, amply fulfilled the expectations which had been formed respecting them. ”

“ It is not Only the desire but also the interest of the Government that the people should be well governed, and that they should be contented, happy and prosperous. This is also your interest and your wish, and the Government is therefore entitled to rely upon the assistance and co-operation of all enlightened men, and especially of such as have received a high educational training, in its efforts to promote good administration. ”

“ Whatever your future lot may be, do not be unmindful that reputation of the University, The reputation of the University. no less than your own and that of your relatives and friends, is involved in your behaviour. Be careful to do nothing tending to tarnish that reputation or to lower the good name which you have hitherto maintained. It is not in the ordinary course of events likely that you can all attain to eminence or distinction, but it is within the power of all of you to be useful, faithful and trustworthy in your respective callings in life. ”

“ All the best efforts of all classes are needed to render the resources of the country sufficient for the expanding wants of the population, to prevent the recurrence of famine, to mitigate the rigours of epidemics, to conserve the public health, and to promote civilizing influences. ”

“ In the exercise of your callings you should bear yourselves with fidelity to those who employ you, with candour and consideration to those who are associated with you, and with integrity to all, always maintaining a high standard of honour and rectitude, and always disdaining by unworthy acts to obtain advantages for yourselves to push yourselves forward in the general struggle. ”

“ In England the commercial value of a University Degree is not highly appraised. The number of persons who have graduated in the University of Madras, since its foundation in 1857, not including the accessions of to-day, is about 1,355, which gives an annual average of not more than 50. Only twenty-seven persons took degrees in medicine during that period. It may be true that many persons are not yet prepared to employ a high class of medical advisers, and that the great bulk of the people cannot afford to do so. ”

“ After May of this year no persons will be permitted to appear for the Tests in the Revenue Higher Grade who have not passed the First in Arts Examination, or who are not graduates of an Indian University, except persons now in the service of Government who will be allowed to appear for examination in the Revenue Test Higher grade up to and including the year 1889. ”

“ Some of you will probably, in the course of time, attain to positions of power and influence; as your power extends so will your responsibilities. If your lives are pure and your aims lofty, you will find not only admirers but imitators ”

“ The improvements in the social, economical and political condition of the people which have taken place during the last twenty years may, to some extent at least, be traced to their labours. Some of them have given much time, sometimes snatched from professional and official work, to the discharge of Municipal and other local duties, and a still greater number have taken a creditable part in social movements designed to promote the general happiness. ”

“ It may, I think, be expected that the extension of the area of education, the increase in material prosperity which has begun, and is likely to continue, the development of agricultural, manufacturing and commercial industries and the increasing wants of the people, who are entering upon a higher phase of civilisation, will open careers for an increasing number of the educational classes. ”

“ Your duty will be, whenever fitting opportunity offers, to give honest and sound advice, so far as your knowledge and observation enable you to do, to the Government as well as to your fellow-countrymen. ”

“ There is also a growing tendency to restrict the conditions upon which the right of access to some of the professions is founded, and the Government of Madras is disposed to reserve some at least of the more important public offices for graduates. ”

“ Such of you as may not be destined to keep pace with your contemporaries in the race for distinction will nevertheless be called upon to discharge honourable and useful functions, and a good example set by you is not likely to be disregarded. ”

“ You have measured yourselves with your equals in age, and have reason to be satisfied with the result. You have shewn that you can subject your inclination to discipline and control. You will go into the world with advantages of intellectual and moral preparatory equipment which ought to prove serviceable in your future career ”

“ Do not consider mere details unworthy of your attention. There are few occupations which do not require a close and intimate acquaintance with details which it is needful to master in order to be prepared for the unexpected which so frequently happens. ”

“ Female education has, in recent years, made noteworthy progress in this Presidency, and Female Education something has been done towards educating the poor. There is no difference of opinion, I believe, as to the expediency of these reforms, and what is henceforth wanted is more energetic action. The number of Hindu girls who attended the various Schools in the Madras Presidency for the year 1883-84 was, in round numbers, 47,000 ”

“ The matter is undergoing discussion and examination and time, which finally determines the result of examinations and discussions, seems to have already taken part with the innovators. Many other questions will, no doubt, engage your attention from time to time as you advance in life. ”

“ Making all reasonable allowance for these impediments, it is evident that, under more favourable conditions, a greatly increased number of persons of high attainments ought to be in practice in various parts of the country to minister to the ailments of a population numbering upwards of thirty millions. ”

“ But a vast deal remains to be done to improve the condition of the people. To accomplish this, railways and other means of communication will have to be made and extended, irrigation works constructed, agricultural and manufacturing products stimulated, and facilities provided for exporting the produce of the country. ”