Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-08-13

it from hearsay, as highly crcditable to the
young gentlemen and to the University.
coMMENcEMENr DAY,
Contrary to the auguries Of the previous
evening, opened with only a slightly clouded
sky, fresh cool breeze and an entire freedom
from dust, particularly pleasant for a public
day.
The Alumni held their customary annual
meeting in the Institute Hall. Hon Robert
5. Hale was chosen President of the associa-
ton, and committee consisting Of Profs. N.
G. Clark and NIX Petty, II. s. Hale, Frank
lin Churchill, Esq. and q G. Benedict, was
appointed TO make arrangements for a social
reunion Of the Alumni at the next Commence
ment, and to report permanent plan for the
securing Of such gatherings at future Com
mencomonts
The pieces Of the graduating class were of
a high average of merit in the main free from
trashy ornament, clearly defined in thought
and expression, and doing full credit to the
kindly discipline and thorough culture Of the
University. Several young gentlemen were
applaudod at the close Of their efforts, and to
one or two bouquets were thrown from the
galleries, distinctions of which the President
felt called upon TO express his disapproval
and which we shall not initiate by any espe-
cial notice Of particular pieces or speakers.
Such marks of favor we refer to the APP
plause and bestowal of bouquets proceed
from kindly motives, undoubtedly, but OBJ
servation Of their operation and effect at some
other Colleges where they are the rule on
such occasions, has not prepossessed us in
their favor. The thing carried to its extreme
may be seen at the New York city commence
mcnts. where cuery speaker is applauded to
the echo, cndures the same shower of buu-
quets purchased by himself aud presented to
his lady friends for that purpose and march
es of the stage with his armsfu of flowers
There is little TO recommend the custom in
our humble opinion, and we have no desire
to see it introduced here
OF the masters otations we may make more
especial mention Mr.. Hazcn's Austin Ha-
ZEN subject was " Sacred Eoquence-fhc
sources Of is pocor." We were able to hear
but portion of it, which indicated a very
thoughtful and finished discourse. Mr. Rob-
erts Thomas Russell Roberts, Of Canada
theme was the " Daty Of the i0ise Legislator
He showed with pungcnt force the great err
ror Of placing the source of authority in the
human will-whether il be the will of the
King or the will Of a majority. He decar
cd it to be his deliberate conviction that A.
merican Liberty is in danger Of being swal-
lowed up by the tyranny of the masses. He
discovered signs Of this in the despotism of
party rule,-in the tyranny Of majorites over
minorities. in partizan iudiciaries. in the in
reference Of judicial authorities with other
branches Of the government, in the declara-
ton of the President Of the United States
that no Limitation can be placed on the popu-
lar will which a majority may not remove -
in the doctrine that majority may establish
slavery, and in the abominable principle of
" Popular Sovereignty as recently propound-
cd. lie maintained on the other hand that
no constitution can be of binding force which
violates justice and the law Of God and he
urged with great force the duty Of the wise
legislator to put bride on the popular WILL
whenever it exalts itself above the principles
of eternal Justice and right-to resist the in
creasing tendency to change of laws aud
constitutions-to watch the first approaches
Of tyranny and to resist them to the ut
most.
DEGREES CONFERRED.
The degree of A. NJ, in course was confer
ierrcd on Messrs. Austin Hazen, T. r. Rob
erts, II. II. Powers, q. w. Perry, c. l..
Goodell c. w. Clark n Williams, Jr, J. J.
Noble, II. c. Stephens, c. ]. Shortt NJ. p.
Parmelee, and b. l.. Benedict all of the class
of '55 on P. ]. Farnsworth of the class Of
81 and 7. S. Hall Of the class of 1850
The Honorary degree of A. NJ. was con-
ierred upon Rev. J. II. Beckwith, Irasburgh ;
Joseph S. Cilley, Williston; Prof Edward
Hungorford, Burlington: George H. Taylor,
NJ. D., New York; Warren c. French, Wood
stock and n. b. Stafford, Esq, White River
Junction.
The degree of Ii. d. was conferred upon
James Melville ellis. of Washington, d. c..
that of d. d. upon Rev. J. H. Myers, of
PIainfeld, y. j.; and that Of Honorary NJ. d.
upon Lyman Rix, of Sharon.
The list of Medical Graduates, on whom
the degree of NJ. d. was conferred at the
close of the term in June, was also read by
the President, as follows
MEDICAL GRADUATES.
Edward Thos Belle Isle Canada, Edwin
Ruthven Brush, VT, Arthur Franklin Bur
dick VI, Harvey Fisk Cram, Vt, Samuel
Hammond Currier. VT, Lucius Jerome Dixon.
Vt. Merritt c. Edmunds, VT, Nelson w
Faiichild. Vt, Philo J. Farnsworth, A. b.,
VT, Elmon John Hall. Vt, VIM F. Boyd
Hemming, n. j., Alonzo Edward Horton,
VT. Andrew Jackson Hyde, VT. Alden Graft
Latham, VI, John G. Miller, X. T., Henry
Valorus Aleeker, VT, William Root, VT
Lyman Rogers, Vt, William 3. Wayne,
Penn.
CORPORATION DINNER.
At the conclusion Of the exercises the pro-
cession marched to the American Hotel, and
in due time sat down to the customary din
ner, President Pease occupied the head of
the centre table, and upon his right and left
were ranged Gov Fletcher Rev. DR.. Wilkes,
of Montreal, Rev. Dr. Wheeler, Judge f. ID.
Culver, of Brooklyn, the clergymen of the
place, and various members of the Corpora
ton and Faculty The blessing was asked
by DIR. Wilkes. After the nuts and rasins,
the President called up successfully a number
of gentlemen present for remarks Gov.
Fletcher spoke Of the demand Of the times on
educated men. Mr.. r. ID. Benedict, in a hui
morous apology for set speech, declined to
do more than to pass ON, by tap, the foot
ball of sentiment and feeling to some one who
should have, if not longer legs, at least heay
Ter boots, intellectually. Prof. Clark thought
he might answer the requirement both as 20
legs and boots-an allusion to his length of