The Function of the University in the Modern World

THE FOUNDERS' DAY ADDRESS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK

BY

JOHN BASSETT, D.C.L., LL.D.
President and Managing Director
of the
Montreal Gazette

SEVENTEENTH OF FEBRUARY, 1948.

Mr. Acting President, Your Honor, Mr. Prime Minister, Members of the Senate, Ladies and Gentlemen:

My first duty and pleasure on this occasion and in the presence of such an assembly of illustrious leaders in the field of education, is to express my appreciation of the gracious invitation extended to me and entrusting me with the responsible task of delivering a message at this Founders' Day ceremony of the University of New Brunswick.

It is a great responsibility, and I am fully conscious of what may be regarded as daring on my part in consenting to be your speaker at this function, when no doubt I shall be expected to have much to say about the vision of those pioneers who blazed the trail and prepared the foundations upon which the moral and cultural life of our nation was to rest.

I may, I hope with confidence assume that the story and record of those men whom you annually delight to honor as the Founders of the University of New Brunswick are so well known to you all that it would be presumptuous on my part to indulge in a repetition of their record, inspiring as it may be to all who have in any measure benefitted by their example, and the heritage they bequeathed to succeeding generations.

Gratitude should move us to heed the ancient philosopher's exhortation, "Let us praise famous men and the fathers that begat us," and I am sure that it may be taken for granted that all who have in any way been associated with this great institution of learning whether as professors or students, cherish in their hearts homage for the courage and faith which led to its foundation.

I am pleased for several reasons to be with you tonight. Neither my family nor I will ever forget the distinction of the Honorary Degree conferred upon me last Spring by my old and cherished friend, your eminent Chancellor, Lord Beaverbrook, whose life and career are an inspiration to the young men of the nation.
The warmth of your welcome then touched me deeply, and I returned with haste to be with you again tonight.

An occasion of this kind gives me an almost patriarchal feeling. We are gathered in the hail of a University whose history goes back to the year 1785—one hundred and sixty-three years. That is a great stretch of time in the history of this country. But I find it quite natural, and always satisfying, to think with the perspective of long periods. For the institution of which I am President, The Montreal Gazette, goes far back into this country's storied past. It is now one hundred and seventy years old, it was founded in the year 1778, and had already been published for seven years when the