The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-09-05
NORWICH UNIVERSITY COM.
MENCEMENT

and pleasing associations cluster aroun
fond memory's shrine, and the youthfi
actors in those scenes shall ever loo
back upon the 18th of August 1914, wit
mingled feelings of pleasure and rcgrc
On the day previous, addresses wer
delivered by the Rev. !. d. Williamso
and Chas. G. Eastman, Esq, of 9Th
Age" both sound, eloquent and well re
ceived.
Never has the return of this anniversa
been greeted with more enthusiastic
welcome or crowned with brighter lau
rels, than that of the present year.
The morning, which was only equalle'
in splcndor by the galaxy of beauty i
tempted from the surrounding hillsides
glens and villas, from the green banks o
the Connecticut, Queechy and White
rivers, to adorn the galleries of oul
church, and inspire with zeal and admi
ration the youthful aspirants for fame
whose eloqucnce no doubt was ample re.
ward for all their pains, was ushered in
with the "cannon's opening roar" and
the pride of America, our country's flag,
uniurling its Stars and Stripes to the first
beams of the rising sun.
AT 10 o'clock, A. NJ, procession was
formed in front of the University under
the direction of Col. c. f. Lewis chief
Marshall, assisted by l.. Hurlburt, and
II. II. Carey, former graduates of the
Institution, and escorted by the corps of
Cadets, accompanied by the Croydon
Band to the church, where scarce third
Of the congregated multitude were able
to gain admission.
After the usual exercises in the church
were completed at about half past one the
procession was reformed and returned to
the University, where the corps were dis
missed, to assemble again at 8 o'clock,
when Banner would be presented them
by the noble hearted and patriotic young
ladies' of Norwich.
Precisely at 8 the Cadets were para
dcd under the command Of their accom-
plished instructor, Gen. I. B. Ransom,
in the yard of the University, Immediate
ly in front of the quarters, already filled
to overlooking, and rejecting from every
window and balcony, the associated beau
ty Of Vermont and New Hampshire,
while the immense crowd without, almost
prevented the approach Of the procession
Of ladies' marching from the church, under
escort of the Marshalls and Band, who
on their arrival formed on the right and
left Of their banner, few PAGES in front
of the corps. The music having march
to the right of the company and halted,
Miss Cornelia M. Burton, who had been
selected to perform the delightful task,
stepped forward accompanied by her aids,
Miss Sarah Jane Burton, and Miss Har-
riet Ellsworth, to present the beautiful
banner they had prepared, and made in
the happiest manner, the following short,
brilliant, and patriotic address:
"GENTLEMEy:-Asa token of our res
pect for yourselves and teachers, and al
so, of our admiration of your system of
education, please accept this Banner;
and although triAing the gift, believe It's
not always The most rare or costly that
exhibit the sentiments of the donor We
do not intend by this act to encourage
bloody system Of warfare, yet, as under
peculiar circumstances, war is inevitable,
to be prepared for it, is the duty Of eve
ry American citizen, and while We sin
ccrely hope it may never be the fate Of
our Banner to wave over the bloody field,
in defence Of our country's rights we do
not fear that it will ever be dishonored
1t was received the part Of the corps
by Cadet j. NJ Barnard, who upon taking
il replied as follows:
"Pcrmit me, ladies Of Norwich,to ten
der you in return for this truly splendid
standard, exhibiting as it does, skill in
design, and taste in execution, that
adds new lustre to the fame of genius,
the grateful acknowledgements ofthose,
whose happy fortune it is to receive it.
America may we'll be proud, and exult
in the glory of her security and strength,
when daughters, worthy the noble mat
rons of the revolution, act scntinels on
the watch-tower Of freedom; and the land
of Warner and Allen, rejoice in the fair
inheritors Of their virtues. Much we ad-
mire the heart that deplorcs the necessi-
ty Of war, but we admire still more the
judgment that sees with the eye of rca-