The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-08-02
For the Voice OF Freedom.


ANNIVERSARY OF MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE,
The exercises of this occasion wcre commenced
as usual on Tuesday afternoon with the celebration
OF the College Societies. The first address was de-
vercd by the Rev. J. J. Owen, DID, of New York /;
a gentleman whose modest and industrious scholar
ship as shown in his able editions of Greek Classics
is know to all who are interested in sound classical
learning, His discourse (Which the writer did not
hear) was spoken of as being worthy, both in matter
and finish, of the high reputation of its author. He
dwelt upon the method and Importance Of tho study
of the Grecian Literature; vindicGting that noble
and ennobling pursuit against the encroachmcnts Of
the mean, mammon-ridden spirit Of utility, that
would saw into building stuff even the groves of tho
Academy, and grind into cider (f it were possble)
the very apples of the Trco of Lifo
DR.. Owen was followed by Rev. Dr. Baird. The
known character Of the speaker in respect to pety,
philanthropy, and intelligence, bespoke a consdcra-
bic interest in his remarks. He announced Ms his
subject, The Age; its Progress its Prospects, and
its Demands" The discourse itself was pervadcd
by tone Of sincere piety, and contained some use
ever, be designated as either original or profound.
The performances of the Glass on Commencement
day were every way equal to the ordinary style Of
such exercises. In the department of Elocuton it
easy to detect a decided improvem snt. The
Glass presented tho following list of themes and
speakers:
/. salutatory Grafton; s. Albcc, 1arrdon, N. H.
0,,ot; IL &c Al, d..
chard, Greensboro. 3. Grafton. Life; G.. Dana,
Brandon. 4. Grafton, National Faith; W. A. Farms
worth. Thetford. s. Grafton, Symmetry of Mind
r. Z. Meanwhile, Poutney. G. Grafton Thirst for
Rccognitoni J. +. Rankin Chester. 7. Grafton,
Mohammed: S, w. Remele. Cornwall. s. Grafton,
Inordinate Reverence for Antiquity; D. ]. Rich,
Shoreham. Q. Literary Conference, The Political
Tendencies Of the Age; NJ. w. Folsom, Moriah N
Y. 10. Grafton, Louis XVI; S. Albcc Langdon,
n. II. II. Grafton, Mystery G. B. Wright, Shore
ham.
1t is an ancient and excellent usage in Middlcbury
College to appoint single speaker for the Com
mencement anniversary from the regular candidates
for the degree Of Master Of Arts. Mr.. Joseph IT, !
Barrett was selected to represent his class on the
present occasion. IIo did honor to himself and to
his appointment Mr.. BIS theme was "Conserva-
tism." lie distinguished genuine Conservatism
forcibly and clearly from that spurious extreme
which usurps and dishonors its name; that indoent
dread Of public opinion which cngs through mere
cowordicc to whatever is habitual; or that timid
that tremhles at the first approach of
man Of generous independence, as if single word
from a:drcamcr Or skcptic were sufficient to over
throw the institutions Of ages. The last did not ill.,
bn tlO If
cause or creed, but only the shalowncss of our own
faith Mr.. Barrett denied the vauntod superiority of
he present age; and ridiculed the notion that
'apd travelling and improved machinery arc enough
20 warrant the prevalent fustian about a "remarka-
ole age" and q "New Era,
After the usual ceremony of comforting degrees,
he exercises Of the occasion were concluded by an i
address before the society of Alumni from Rev. Mr.
Mattocks OF Kecscvillc ON the HTruc Ends of Learn
ng," which he assumed to be the most uttaran :
possible. He criticised with freedom and famil- :
arity which only very wide and intimate scholar
Antiquity. Homer, Eschylus Sophocles, Eurpdes, ,
Herodotus, Thucyddes, Socrates, Plato, Demosthc-
les, Horace, Seneca, Virgil, Caesar and Cicero,
we're one after another anaigned condemned and
executed, with rcmorseless hippancy. IIo then de-
handed complete and radical revolution in Col
ege instruction, in favor of utility This ambiguous
ERIN he did not explain but il might be inferred from
he tenor of his discourse imply whatever tends to
make man more thriving earth-worm." He
excepted West Point Academy however, from the
general consure, and declared that its graduates
were dismissed well qualified for any profession or
pursuit, not excepting even the Christian Ministry!
rs if "pr01'c@' mon wcro likely to become 50