salutatorian speech 1922, page 2

(For part 1, scroll down a few entries.)

pulls his right ear, rubs his left hip and bows, like this. Well here was the problem before me: should I give you the Tibetan salute, should I merely grunt my approval of your presence as an Indian would, should I shake hands, or as the original expression was slap hands, should I bow, should I take off my shoes in Japanese fashion, should I weep, should we rub noses, whould we embrace, or should we kiss each other's hands or feet or cheeks or even lips?

Some of these forms of salutation seem foolish and a waste of time, but in reality each has its advantages and disadvantages; each its possibilities and impossibilities. No doubt different people would choose different methods of expressing this welcome. Perhaps the girls of our class would prefer and opposite mode to that which their mothers would have chosen----well----say fifty years ago. But still I'm the one that has the saluting to do so I considered my situation in each one of them.

The more reserved methods are more in keeping with our Senior dignity of which we boast so much but still this chance comes but once in a life time and I was rather in doubt as to whether these would show the intense love and respect which we hold for you. Still some of this love if applied properly might be misunderstood and lead to further trouble. Also it might be a little painful to attempt to accomodate the whole audience at one sitting so perhaps it had better be done collectively.

Thus my mind wandered growing more and more helpless until now I am no closer to the solution of the problem than when I started, but still----we're glad you're

picture of Carroll Hardy Long at Princeton University, 1924

(page 3 to come...)