. of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 167

Henry, received their education. They were entered as foundation boys at
McDonogh School and there received the foundational training which was to
stand them in good stead later on in life.

As for the present generation, we do not know the man, but we know the
tradition which he created; that of a splendid character who was not only a
great genius but a great gentleman. Lanier died at 39, leaving poetry which
one critic has called "a cluster of perfection. " This same critic goes on to
say, "Three volumes of unimpeachable poetry have been written in America;
'Leaves of Grass' by Whitman, the thin volume of Poe, and the poetry of
Sidney Lanier. "

Walt Whitman and Edgar Allan Poe, another adopted Baltimorean, al-
ready have been chosen by the Hall of Fame. So, incidentally has George
Peabody, founder of this Institute and Library. The name of Sidney Lanier,
when it finally is inscribed, thus will find suitable associations. But, for the
moment, it is enough that we are gathered to salute his genius and to honor
his memory. I have no better way of closing these remarks than by quoting
four lines of verse by a living Baltimore poet as a tribute to Sidney Lanier:
"And ah, it haunts me just to know
His feet along these streets did go...
A haloed man—he also trod
The clouds around the throne of God. "

DENTAL CENTENARY CELEBRATION

Ford's Theatre, March 18, 1940
Baltimore

SUCH a gathering of eminent professional persons from all parts of the
Country, as well as distinguished visitors from elsewhere, would alone
deserve the welcome and applause of the people of Maryland. Seldom does any
State receive a visit from such a fine cross-section of people of consequence in
their various communities throughout the Nation. Your mere assemblage with-
in the boundaries of our Commonwealth, therefore, more than justifies my
presence, as Chief Executive of Maryland, to welcome you.

But this occasion carries a wider significance in the fact that it calls at-
tention to, and celebrates the foundation here in our State, of the first school
established for the teaching and development of the art and profession of
Dentistry. Here, 100 years ago, the first school for the teaching and nurture
of that profession was established.

Since that day, and flowing form that event, your great profession scattered
throughout the length and breadth of civilized communities has grown until
it includes within its numbers hundreds of thousands. It is to mark the
Centenary of that foundation that you gentlemen have met.

Maryland has been first in its contribution to the general welfare in many
ways, as a result of which we have a natural and understandable pride. It
may be ventured, however, that from the point of intimate human benefit and
relief, there have been few, if any contributions more directly beneficial to