Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-11-10

cry year all the rooms OF the present College
buildings, fit for occupation, have been filled,
and a large humble of students have been
obliged to find accommodation in the village,
thus depriving then Of the conveniences of
rooming near the chipel and recitation rooms
and the institution Of a respectable income
TO meet this demandhnd remedy this evil, the
Trustees have been mixing efforts for the two
past years to raise a sum sufficient to erect n
large and commodiou' building. They have at
last been successful. $4,000 has been sub
scribed and already a beginning has been made
in the great work in which all the friends of
the College will %rcj,ice. To-day the corner
stone was laid. 1t was an occasion of great in
%terest, not only because it indicated the pros
pcrity and permanently of the institution, but
on account of the happy coincidence connected
with it. Just sixty vars ago to-day, the Gov
ernor of the State sigied the charter which gave
Middlebury College its existence. So not only
have we celebrated to-day the laying of the cor
ner stone OF the new edifce, but also the ami
vcrsary of the birth day of our Alma Mater
At . O'Clock this =. NJ, u large number of gra-
duates, students and citizens had assembled to
witness the ceremonies and listen to the cxcr-
ciscs of the day. President Larabee, with few
words and little parade, laid the corner stone,
after which the audience repaired to the Chapel
where the remaining exercises were TO be held.
The Chapel which is quite large, was filed to
is utmost capacity. On the stage there were
seated the Faculty and Trustees and many of
the warmcst friends and most liberal patrons of
the College; all seeming deeply Interested in
an address from Presidcn, Larabee. After
abiding to the happy coincidence above men
toned, he gave a brief history of tn, founding
and subsequent progress and prosperity of the
College. 1t seems that although the University
Of Vermont was incorporated first, Niddlebury
graduated several classes before the University
even commenced active operations. DIR. Atwa-
ter, who was appointed President Immediately
after the act Of incorporation passed the Legis.
lature, performed all the duties of the President
and of the Board Of Professors, assisted by only
one Tutor, until 1906, when a Professor Of
Mathematics was appointed. Since that time
all the profcs'orships have been filed with
worthy and efficient men and although Mid.
dlebury College has been forced to contend
against 2overty and adverse circumstances, she
has continued the even tenor of Ter way, en-
larging the sphere of her influence and estab-
lishing for herself in the mental and moral
worth of her sons and in their integrity and
virtue, a reputation Of which few other %insiitu-
tons can boast. Among her graduates she
numbers some Of the mos. distinguished men
our country has ever produced. She has fur
nished presidents and over thirty professors of
colleges. three United States Senators, and n
large number Of Representatives to Congress.
Silas Wright, the id.l of the Democracy of his
times, Judge Nelsoi, the eminent iurist, and
the eloquent DIR. Bctman of Troy. y. Y, whose
names are familiar to all, were graduate. of
Middlebury College.
In closing. the President briefly cnunciated
the cardinal principles in the system of educa-
ton to which the facility have ever closely adj
hered. To make practical, thinking men, had
always been the greet aim of the institution !;
and how well she has succeeded the emincnce
and reputation Of her sons bear witness. After
the singing Of an cd, written for the occasion
by J. S. Pierce Of Tcwnshend, member of the
Senior class, anothe address was delivered
by Tutor Kellogg. lis theme was Middlebury
College in its relations to the highest interests
of education and the best interest of the com
munity at large. 1t vas a soul-stirring and ell
oquent address. 1t set forth in the clearest
light the utility of colleges in disciplining the
intellect and in fitting young men for the duties
of life, the efficiency of cultivated minds in any
department of human activity, and the position
of influence educated men necessarily occupy
both in Church and State. ! wish that every
Vermonter and every friend of education could
read it. 1t demonstrated truths which, if prop
erly understood and appreciated, would do more
to promote the cause of popular education than
all the agents now at work combined. The last
exercise was a poem read by T.. ii. Phelps,
member of the Senior class. In every respect
the poets effort was q complete success. His
composition was impressive and interesting, his
style energetic and elevated, his delivery distinct
and manly. His work was doubtless studied,
for in no place did he make %jingling verses sub
stitutes for thought and sentiment. His pas
sages of superior eloqucnce and beauty, his
truthful delineations and his good humor and
wit excited the interest of the audience, which
continued undated until he closed. He re-
viewed the list of graduates of this College,
making honorable mention of the most distin-
g%uished, and giving a tribute of respect to the
departed great. lie made a beautiful and touch
ing ~allusion to the lamented Gov. Slade.
And Slade undaunted defender of Truth,
A friend OF the Slave and II guardian Of Youth.
As u ruler OF State, he was faithful and Just,
Asa patron of arts, ever true to his trust,
For his God and his country he nd what he could,
Seeking nothing besides tie reward Of the good.
In the evening the students celebrated in
the way students always like to celebrate on
all important occasions. About o o'clock in
the evening, they appeared in the streets in n
torchlight procession, making a fine display
As they passed the Presidents house they called
him out with three hearty cheers. When he
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