the most significant lesson of the past that can be appropriately ap-
plied to the future.

States and nations always are involved in revolutions — primarily
revolutions in thought. It is imperative, therefore, that you be pre-
pared for this. I doubt if anyone can honestly declare that he is
protecting the American ideal, that it is consistent with the tradi-
tions of this State and nation to reject new ideas, to discard new
proposals, simply because they do not fit an established pattern de-
termined to be proper by those who would seek to mould our think-
ing. Perhaps this is the reason it is such a delight to address the
youth of this State and nation. No other group is more receptive to
change, no other group is more free of the prejudices that all of us
inevitably accumulate during our journey through life.

There are broad horizons facing each and every one of you in this
chamber and, as a man certainly entering the twilight of a long career
in public service, I am going to risk being presumptuous and offer
some suggestions that may make your journey a bit easier. In coping
with the problems that will affect this State and nation in the years
to come, your major assets will be understanding, knowledge and a
sense of responsibility. As young citizens of Maryland, you will often
be criticized for being impetuous. For the most part, this criticism
will be valid and ought not be dismissed lightly. It is almost axio-
matic that young citizens tend to be liberal-minded in thinking and
rash in action and that they tend to modify both as they advance in
years. An understanding of this, then, will lead you to seek a long
range view of ideas and projects that, while initially attractive, may
harbor dire consequences if put into effect. This is not easy to do
for it requires a determination to resist the pressures of the present
for the welfare of the future. It is wise, then, to examine all points
of view before arriving at a decision. Those who disagree with you
may not life your decisions but they will certainly respect you for the
manner in which you made it.

As to the second asset — knowledge — one need only examine the
problems that have been raised in this country because of school
drop-outs to understand its significance. If there is one thing I can
assure you of today, it is the fact that the problems of government
are not going to become easier to solve. Government, whether it be
at the national, state, or local level, is becoming increasingly com-
plex because the problems of each no longer are separate but inter-
related. No one individual is capable of possessing all the knowledge
of governmental affairs to permit him to arrive at a solution without

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