GCYYE too are born to freedom, are willing to fight to maintain freedom, and would rather die on our feet than live on our Knees," declared President Roosevelt in a message read on his behalf yesterday when Oxford University's highest honour, the degree of Doctor of Civil Law, was conferred on the Pre lent by Lord Halifax, the British Ambassador to the United States, as Chancellor of Oxford University, at a special convocation of Oxford University at the Harvard graduation ceremonies.
At the same ime Lord Halifax himself received Harvard's honorary degree of Doctorate of Laws.
President Roosevelt was unable to attend, owing fo official business at Washington, and. Brigadier-General Edwin Watson, his military alde-decamp, represented him.
Unusual Honour Only once or twice has a con. vocation occurred outside Oxford's walls and it, is believed to be une precedented for the Chancellor himself to preside personally at such a ceremony.
Forly members of Oxford Univers ity were present at Harvard for the occasion, including four Oxford delegates, one of which was Sir Arthur Salter, The degree was conferred "in token of our deep respect for his exalted station and in lively recollect tion of his stand for liberty and his steadfast, championship of humanity enriched by a new symbol which supports truth and the search for truth. In days like these, therefore, we rejoice that this special convocation, in breaking all historic precedent, does so in the great cause of preserving the civil Wberties which have grown, stone upon stoner, in our Tands through centuries. That'is why Tam proud to be permitted to have' a part."
President Roosevelt's message pro coeded: "There have been other symbols throughout the years and in the present."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.