The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-04
Water gi.io College.


publishes the following sketch OF the re-
marks Of Governor Williams, a; the an
nual commencement OF Wateryillc Col
lege. Gov. Williams speech on the oc-
casion was commended very much Tor IL
beauty and value and the report of the
remarks, though not given rs entirely ac-
cura,c, shows that there was good cause
for the commentator.
Goa. WILLIAMS REMARKS.
Gov Williams, in rising TO respond. said
he could well understand the feeling of the
learned gentleman who had Just resumed
his seat Professor Champlin) when he de.
prccated the call upon him, by the modest
ayoyal that be was. as yet, bui hafa Prs.
'd'nf apd ifit would avail anything asa
ground or excuse IN bis own case, he would
stoutly protest that he. too, was but ldlT
Governor: IN military phrase, u sort ori,jl-
tenant: and fast waning at that. he knew
well enough, however, that be was indebted
to his Official position, such rs !. is, Tor the
summons which had jus, been made upon
him, and he confessed he was glad Of the
opportunity thus afforded him 10 acknovl-
edge his obligation 10 the Faculty and TO the -
Trustees. for their civil invitation TO this
commencement. Justice 10 his own fecliI 70
and the young gentlemen who had 50 hand
sOn.ely performed their parts in graduating
exercises, prompted him TO exclaim, and hc
did 80 under all the responsibility belonging
30 him rs tenant Of the executive CHAIR
that the state of Maine was proud of this
exhibition Of her jewels The President.
(Dr. Parterson) had frankly said that ono
of the wants Of the College which he mOst
kcenly felt, was o sense Of public appreci.
alton. He, for one, desired t. assure that
gentleman as well as all pressent-and he
did 80 after enjoying recent opportunity
for comparison-thatt the commencement ex-
ercises Of to-day Were OF surprising mart,
not only giving proof of iaithiulnc~s in the
past, but rich promise Of future distinc-
ton.
Impressed as he was by the many tokens
which he had witnessed to-day OF the in
trlnsic merit and successful administration
Of this college, he felt like coniesslpg that
the State had not done her duty ID IL. The
trainers of the constitution, In the most ex-
piicit terms, imposed upon her legislature
tho duty 20 encourage and suitably eudow
from time TO time, all academies colleges,
and Summaries OF learning within her limits:
and yet, SO far Us he knew, our legislative
history exhibited but meagrc performance
of this duty towards this college. Some
grants Of assistance had been made Ia It, to
De sure but an occasional appropriation; at
distant intervals, ola more piitance, and
that made payable in installnents. could
h rdly CO called suitable fnliilment OF con-
stitutional obligation. Whatever may have
been the imIediment to greater generosity,
IL could not. he thought, b. justly chnrsa-
bic to sectarian account. II he rightly un-
derstood the precise posture Of this college,
although the Babtist denomination nigh,
well hold the first place IN Its affections, hav-
\ Ing contributed 10 its foundation moro
than any other, vet fundamental law of
charter from which il derives ITS powers,
provided that no one should b, deemed in.
teligible 20 its board Of Trustees account Of
denominational distinctions, and expressly
forbade that any OF It's privilege. should b.
denied to students whose interpretations Of
scripture might differ from its articles Of
faith. Such was the liberal scope ol the
early legislation of the State. and in this it
but echoed the liberal tone which distln.
guished the convention which formed her
constitution.
The duty to encourage and endow tins
college yet rested upon tho State in all it,
| force, and the reason ON which this duty res
ted, 80 admirably expressed in the organic
law, should stimulate the exercise ola gen.
erous sympathy towards IL. That law de-
clared that q general diffusion Oi tho adyan.
tngts OF education is essential 20 the pr,Scr-
walton Of the rights and liberties OF the pcO.
pie =" lie loved the echo OF those words.
A diffusion OF knowledge was indeed tho
conversation orliberty, and how important
Tho part.whlch tie college must perform ia
the work of its diffusion. The university
had always becen not only the fountain OF
knowledge, but the handmade of human
rights. The Reformation was founded on
the piinsiplc Of liberty, and il was from the
bosom Of the university that Luther prOmul.
gated the doctrines OF the Reformation
Your own Revolutionary annals illustrate
the same important truth. Who could for.
get the priceless service TO the cause OF hb,
crty which was rendered By those accom-,
plishci scholars. Adams and Jefferson .
Adams-the hon-hcarted champion Of tho
revolution I! Who scarcely had left tho walls
Of his Aima.aloir before he put upon record
his youth.al Representations OF tho posi-
bilities Of Independence. Jedrrsc n-,hc
philosophic Statesman fortunate above al.
other men as the author OF the immaculate
Declaration of the great fact Of Indei,en-
dcnce. Yet with shame il NUT b. cunIcss-
ed, the hewen.born truths to which the cruz
dIte Jefferson gave sush memorable utter
ancc, have ut length been lifted up on our
Judicial Calvary and craciGcd before the
world.