The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-25
Meeting OF the Alumni or the Free Academy.

Meeting OF the Alumni or the Free Academy.
GRAFTON OF MIR. HOFFMAN,.
The first meeting OF the alumni oil tne Free
Academy was held last evening, ia the Chapel of
that institut ON, and. although the weather was
most unfayorabie the attendance was quite hume
rous. The stage was occupied by the faculty and
number of invited guests, and the seats Immediately
in front by the alumni. The exercises were en-
lvened by the performance of some excellent music
by Dodworth's band. After prayer, Hon. OGDEN
HOFFMAN delivered q most finished grafton, OF
which the following is q very brief abstract
1t Is rot said he my purpose to speak of the origin
and progress Of the Free Academy. This duty has
been well performed by those whose labors called it
into existence, and who witness with pride and
pleasure its dawning infancy. Its aim was to afford
the means of an elevated education to youth from
among the people. The Free Academy, as was said
BY one Of its earliest beneiactors, had the people
for its founders, the public treasury for its endow
ment the popular sovereignty for its visitres You
have made 1t free academy free from all sectarfan
and religious tests-free, owing obedience to the
VIII Of God only as declared Ia his holy word; bat
free from all creeds by which that particular will
may be inculcated-frte as the browning glory. the
perfection the end of our system Of common school
education, system which will do more TO iucate
this people and reflect glory upon our land than
all the wealth that is carried upon the surface of
our canals, or beneath the weight of which
our railroads groaD. II has been established
tor great and noble ends; by II the talent and
genius OF forty thousand humble ryulets have here
been collected in one mighty stream, to bear its
mingled tributes to the great ocean of knowledge,
which, encircling ali creation, sends back its gifts
IN the refreshing rains and fertilizing dews that
bess and benefit mankind. Well has it justified
the pious hopes of its founders; and with able pro.
fessors and an accomplished President, it will send
forth those who in after times may have their names
write in light upon the pages of their country's
history; and the people from whose hands it sprung,
like the statuary of old, have become enamored of
the work Of their own hands, when they see its
beauty and symmetry. You are assembled, young
gentle men, here this ngbt to remember the jealous
care with which your alma mater watched over
the infancy OF your minds, and by recalling her
kindness to strengthen the ties which should bind
you TO each other as her common children. ] have,
Therefore thought IL might not be inappropriate on
this occasion to let memory remand TO your view
the seasons through which some of you have passed.
to rehearse the praises of your alma mater, aud
strengthen your reverence for her by speak
ing OF the benefits you have received from the amon
ers of her bounty. The studies may be divided into
thee classes. In speaking of the first Of these
moral philosophy, with its attendant branches Of
logic bellies lettIes literature, orstory, &s, shall
he brief. Il teaches man his duty, and shows him
that he is an accountable being, aud in ,ulcates the
love OF virtue for it's own sake as administering to
happiness, and warning against the deceptiyeness
VI pNd6urep rs misery. IL sneQS over MS
understanding that pure and stea iy light, without
which reason tsek can do little to exalt his views
secure bis happiness. 1t enters into and analyses
the motives that operate upon the human mind. and
II must always be useful and profitable stndy. OF
mathematics, with its auxiliary branches Of natural
philosophy, chemistry, astronomy, &c all of which
invoking the aid of sublime geometry without whose
aid they would become almost powerless
the homage. of the patriot and states.
man. who. in the system Of internal improvements,
directed BY her care, finds the facility intercourse
and the daily communion of friendship, strengthen
ing our blessed Union She receives the homage of
the wayfaring man, and the traveller, when borne
in triumph over the waves, In spite Of opposing
winds, and waves, by the genius OF Fulton. She
received the homage OF the young student Of Br-
enne, who was but yesterday king She received
the paudits Of the nation when Weet End sent the
young soldier TO the field Of carnage and the young
soldier justified his training. She was triumphant
when we poured down upon the fertile fields Of
Mexico the bloody tide Of American vaor Her
merits outscar our eulogy. Mr.. Hoffman next spoke
Of the advantages which were to be derived from
study OF the classics and in an eloquent and forci
BILE argument, showed the injustice Of the assaults
which had been made upon classical education.
He then concluded as follows Your institution
is Jet in its infancy, and has not afforded
TO your professors an opportunity Of witnessing the
splendid achievements Of its pupils; but the time
will come when the names of some OF them may be
written In light upon the pages Of tier country's
history; the time may come when these jewels may
you are true TO yourselves, when from these halls
shall 60 forth those who shall adorn the pulpit the
bar, and the Senate when from these halls III al go
forth some, who, missionaries, shall carry the
knowledge of their Redecmer to distant lauds. or
here advance the banner Of the cross with power
and a strength which with the grace Of Cod you
have bete derived; from these halls may go forth
in come future day those who embracing the study
OF that profession, which in its theory employs the
uobiest faculties of the soul, and excels in its
practice the virtues Of the heart, may become
distinguished lawyers eloquent advocates. who
may adorn the judicial bench by their leaning,
wisdom and purity. From these halls may also 60
forth those who shall not only win the gratitude,
admiration, and love Of their native State, but who
in the public councils of their country may become
the cy nosures Of a nations eyes, upon whose lips
listening Senators may in raptures hang who in the
national councils shall reflect back their glory upon
the institution which trained them for the conflict,
and who shall excite the admiration and love of
their President and their preceptors BY their bold
and stern resistance to the Establishments Of Office,
and the patronage Of power, and by their uncom-
promising advocacy Of freedom, Of compact and of
right.
At the conclusion OF Nj. Hofman's Grafton, which
was frequently interrupted by applause. poem.
entitled every Man his own Poet" was read by
the Rev. George II. Houghtoa after whi0 the au-
d!ence dispersed.
Brooklyn City Intelligence.