New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-05
COMMENCEMENT And SEhLCENTENNLAL
CELEBRATIONS or THE UNTERSfTI of
TERMONT

Corr.spondence Of The n. Y Tribune.
BURLINGTON, (Vt.) Wednesday, Aug. 2, le54
This occasion was more than usually interesting,
from the fact OF is being celebration OF the fIitlth
Anniversary Of Commencement, a half 0 century hay
ing elapsed since the first class graduated The exer
cses Of the week commenced with a Baccalau -eate
sermon from the President of the University, in the
Unitarian Church, Sabbath afternoon. President
Smith always says something good wheR he speaks
He il very SCUM man and excellent scholar, and bis
sermon on this occasion was characterized by deep
thought fervent piey and much feeling for the young
men who about 10 take their diplomas and go out
into the world 10 seek their fortunes The address was
listened TO with much interest by very large and in
telligent audience.
On the evening Of the same day q discourse de-
yered before the Society for Religious Inquiry in the
CONGREGATIONAL Church, by the Rev. ID. j. NOyes,
II D. of Dartmouth College. His subject was the
Gogpe of Christ and most adroity and eoquently did
he treat il. Many thought he confined the Gospel
within limits altogether too narrow, but il must be
confessed he advocated his peculiar views with
much ability and made an eloquent argument upon his
side of the question. recolect reading several years
AGO some sermons upon the same subject, written by
Or Claiming, who gave much more scope to the Cos
mel than this speaker seemed willing to allow it, but
learned doctors do Oentimes disagree, and this is not
the time, nor the columns OF He lRiBt NJ the pace,
TO discuss the question.
Tuesday forenoon the Alumni and Literary Societies
celebrated the fftieth anniversary of Commencement
in the Unitarian Church. A very large congregation
assembled
Doctor Wheeler former President of the University,
gave history of the College for the last haicentury
lis early and humble beginning among the pine trees
and stumps upon the hill; its severe struggles for an
existence Its and ms0runes, and ts pres
ent prosperity The learned doctor made his discourse
exceedingly interesting with some occasional Hastings
Of true eloquence
He was followed by J. X. Spalding, Esq, of your
City whose address really mastery perform
ance such one as is not often heard before any lit
H. dc, al ariat nf fnniaa and
advocated true and not sham democratic principles,
walking square up 10 the mark and showing bOdness
and frankness not at all characteristic of the dem
agogue Square-toed and fat-footed he marched bold
" 10 the work. and utterly repudated the doctrine OF
the divine right of kings. Although he hated revOlu
tons, vet still more intensely he hated the causes of
reyoution-giying demagogues and trading politicians
most severe dressing and fully recognizing the rights
of conscience and the higher law. IL was powerful
discourse admirably written and el0quenty delivered
In the closing part he paid beautiful tribute to Christ
antyshowing her divine form in her true robes and
poIraying her pow and loneliness in simple but most
eloquent language. | confess have never heard the
spirit of the New Testament beautifully and eO-
quently described in any public discourse; 1t was
lovely picture and fit 10 be printed i'll all our school
books 1t is not often that speak in such high terms
of praise but Mr.. Spaldng merits on this occasion
both for bis ability and boldness.
After this address poem was delivered by the Rev.
A. g. Wheeler of Grand Isle. The verse flowed
smoothly inc Hashes VI VII "clc h''n' "i" 'No P'N'
formance was we'll received.
A procession was now formed and marched down 10
the Exchange, kept by l.. T. Blodgett n Brother,
where splendid dinner was prepared for the Assoc
ciated Alumni. Some two three hundred sat down
and feasted; after which came toasts, speeches and
songs The Alumni came from all parts of our Union
once more to their beloved Alma Mater and talk
over the scenes of college life The first class that
graduated fifty years ago at this University consisted
of only four and three of those were present-One
H. Gta4a
the third lives in this town The fourth died IN your
City many years ago, and wrote some por-
tcns of a book called Salmsgundi, which pro-
Guced some sensation IN its day. his meet
inc of the Alumni was indeed joyous one, and
the Semi. Centennial Celebration went off in grand
style The Rev. Mr.. Chandler of Greenfield,
Mass venerable old gentleman, and graduate OF the
University al early period Of its history made some
yery pathetic remarks in relation 10 the first President
of the College the Rev. Mr.. Sanders. He travelled
many miles TO visit him few years ago. and found him
well posted up in all matters relating TO tins lnstu-
ton OF which he was the first President The yenera
BE old eX-pTesident expressed but one regret and
that was that SO many Of the Alumni had found pre-
mature graves in consequence OF Incorporate habits
Tears flowed FROM the old mans eyes when he spoke
upon the subject, and the Rev. Dr. Chandler took oc
casiOn to give the young men present warning, and
/ urge them TO touch not the accursed thing HE lee
ture was brief but full of feeling and eloquence and
must have produced salutary impression upon the
. Young men. Nothing stronger than lemonade wal
used al tie dinner and every thing passed of 10 IN,
satisfaction of all present this joyous occasion.
In the evening, the exhibition OF the Junior Clos
tock place ard the performance was very creditabt
10 the Young men, showing that their instructors qiy
them good training and that they have not been idle
Wednesday morning is bright and beautiful. shove
last night laid the dust, and better day for Com
mtnecneIt could not be selected from the whole year
4 procession from the College formed an,
marched to the Unitarian Church, enyened by th
music Of the Roston Brigade Band. The Church Wa
filed at an early hour, and galaxy of Vernon
beauty adorned the galleries. Some 80 young mel
gVokc in public on the stage and received their de
crees. These performances were highly creditable 4
themselves and TO their teachers The subjects q
their speeches were well chosen and had bearing
upon actual life. On the whole the graduates perform
ed well their parts, and their Physiques looked
they would hoe their with skill and energy wheI
they 20 out into the worlds field
Several honorary degrees conferred such a
DID. d, but the names of those houOred by tn
University OF Vermont cannot remember No mat
ter Those capitals will not add inch TO their stat
ures nor give their minds single thought TIL
evening was closed, not by Commencement Ball,
but by happy and brilliant rearioR at Mr.. John II
Peek's, whose better half threw open her doors an
! pleasure grounds. and gave the graduates and man
! oilers a splendid entertainment. MAY her SHADOW
| never be less.
IMPORTANT ARRTsT OF COUyTrRFETTERs.-Au import
ant arrest of dangerous gang of cOGntereters has