New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-25
Newpork daily Gribnme
COLLEGE COMMANDMENTS.
RUTGERss COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.


his briefs-the physician, as far as possible dis
misses his patients, and the pale clergyman re-
turns his notes to bis portfolio, and all wend
their way to the sacred groves of the Academy,
whence they drew the inspiration of early siges,
and The maxims of philosophy, and alss obtained
that mental training which fts them to grapple
with the great difficulties and solve the prob em.
Of life. In these they forget the troubles aud
perplexities of their vacations, and drink anew
from those fountains which enlisened and ex-
hiarated them in youth. There is philosophy
in their literary holidays. They are public
benefit and should be encouraged by the State.
They make the torpid blood of the student flow
with more genial current, and, renewing his
youth, prepare him TO return to the sober duties
of lf. with greater freshness, ard0r and success.
They are marked feature in the social life of
Americans. They are becoming the great fes-
tive seasons OF our people. There is no occa-
sion which so thoroughly calls forth the enthus-
asm of our people as the Commencement of the
College in their neighborhoods, and at which
they or their friends graduated. This, hopeful
sign, is as il should be. Let the enthusiasm aud
pleasures OF our people be linked with the sue
cess of our educational institutions, aud tue
Union cannot but produce the best results upon
the popular mind. This is one of the happy
conditions and hopeful signs of this College,
that its Conn encements are generally re-
membered by its Alumni, who honor them with
their presence, and are objects of so much in
terest in this community.
The exercises began with the Blcchalaureste
Address the President, delivered yesterday to
The Graduating Class in the College Chapel.
The room was well filed by students and their
friends. The Grac uatiDg Class were arrayed in
their black silk gowns to indicate their speedy
Induction INTO the honors bestowed upon wis
DOM After the usual devotional exercises the
President addressed the Graduates. He spoke
of the closing year of College duties and anxl-
cites as proper period for reflection upon the
great EMS of life-said, we should endeayor to
profit by these stages of an immortal existence 1t
is greatly wise to talk with past hours and ask
them what report they make. range OF great
and Efficient influence is before you, not only on
public occasions and among masses of men, but
ALEC in the silent, uDpretendlng power OF an up
right example and a holy conversation Use this
influence reap the harvest of life and aim at the
employment of all your powers directly and lndl-
rectly in the work of doing good moved and ami
mated herein by the noble example OF your Savior.
The speaker then called their attention to few
Of those great questions which have arisen upon the
arena of life on which they were about TO enter.
be first Of these was our character and prospects
ss free people We are free-almOst az free as
the air of our mountains; but herein lies our dan
ger, that of misaIprehending the true nature OF
liberty and of viewing all restrictions as oppres-
siye and unjust. The glory and stability oil Amor
lean liberty is that il is according to law, and this
shou never be forgotten should be indicated in
the household if necessary. We are free to do
right, but restrained by law from doing wrong.
Nho de-ires mOrel Why Heaven can give no
larger liberty
The speaker discoursed also upon the subject of
Slavery, expressing his opinions In the following
terms:
domestic Slavery has been for many years fruit
full theme for moral and political discussion, and is
now assuming graver aspect that oiten alarms even
the most tranquil. only desire here few words, TO
impress upon your minds ruling thought that should
always have It's place the discussion OF this interest
ing matter. Ii il not original question. IL cannot
be regarded even a simple abstract proposition IN
morale. II complicated with many interests, AMI
holds such peculiar relations to the country that we
cannot dispose of II a. mere abstraction. When tue
Constitution of the United States was under advise
nent by law OF nations. slave escaping to a free
country became free. The sayeh0ldng States were
national law between independent States. They pro-
posed 10 the Free States, If you wish to unite with us
and thus form people, IN closer bonds than by the
general law of nations then this law OF the Fugitive
Slave must be 80 modified that we shall have the same
right TO reclaim in your State that we now have
in any county in our own State. Our fore
fathers agreed TO this modification, and the thirteen
colonies unanimously adopted IT, and thus LETT Slavery
domestic institution in all the States where II existed.
ibis is the tue political state OF the Question: and
therefore we cannot disturb l.. As great moral aud
social evil il If open TO free consideration and debate
as are ell other matters pertaining TO moral duty But
politically we agreed to leave 1t where we iodnd IT. ana
that was with the slave holding States with all It's re-
spopsibities. Tie whole case is with them. IL i
eravely momentous subject, encompassed by perplex
ing difficulties that call for dellberai0n and candor and
GOOD TEMPER And more than this-it invokes afrVsh
lie cherished and fraiernal feelings that formed the
American Constitution which has so long and so Illus
tIousiy shown how much of human wisdom and fore.
cast and how much more of divine benlgnity crowned
this first great experiment OF free and seigOyerned
people. May il be perpetual May no rash hand mar
Ia Glory or dare disturb lie foundations Should not
ain oct eighty years of prosperous freedom plead tor
our Union Should not the smiles OF Gods favor
tow ard Us for all that time hush the murmurs OF dis
content and persuade rather TO patience and hope:
et US wait for the healings Of time and kindness and
tie sure growth of better feelings that will follow the
spread and power Of theGospe pea bo ee US 10,
and bear and forbesr in the fear Of Col and living
PRAYER ior His guidance.
The last subject TO which he alluded was Tenn
persnce, upon which he held the following hn-
guage:
long on another exciting topic, IN which confess
deep and earnest interest As temperance addresses
lis claims 10 all, either a. matter OF personal ana
total abstinence ss commercial question on The pro-
hbitions Of the Maine Law we houd give it certainly
due portion of thought and countenance. propose
10 leave nv anxiees with you one single point- de-
pending the resolution OF single question: whether