The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-28
UNION COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.

Kate President NOtt-ExercIses OF the
Graduating Glass, Etc. Etc,
SCHENECTADY, July q, 1865.
Schenectady used to be called "Anished" city,
bat find many Improvements that have been made
during the last ten years. Considerable building
has been done, ana the business OF the city has
largely increased. This is due in no small degree to
the increase in manufacturing industry which
has taken place. One of the largest locomo-
tive factories in the country is situated
here There are also extensive engine and boiler
manufactures, agricultural implement establish.
ments etc, etc. The CITY also is something of rail-
road point, the two branches of the New York Cen
tral, the one from Albany and the other from Troy,
uniting here, besides third road from here to Sara
tOga. Add 70 this the presence of the College, so
long rendered lustrous by the eoquence ofits late
venerable President, DR.. Mott, ana most thorough
and efficient system OF public schools for the city,
and we have sufficient elements not only to account
for Ihe present lourshng condition of Schenectady,
but to give assurance OF its future growth.
The Commencement exercises of Union College
this year were OF somewhat unusua interest, they
were the first SINCE the death OF Dr. Mott and the
Dr. llckOk. They were commenced by the bacca'
laureate OF President Hickok the graduating
II lie spoken OF all hands one the finest pro-
ductions ever listened to In Schenectady. Presi.
dent Hlckok one of the foremost thinkers OF our
time. As metaphysiclan he takes rank by the side
OF such men as Hamilton and Mill His various
works upon mental and moral science are held in
the highest repue by those quail ed judge inteli
gently OF such matters, while his "Rauonal Psychic
lOgy" Is one OF the most profound and exhaustive
treases upon the whole subject OF mental philosophy
to be found in the language. Added TO all this he
is man of great practical wisdom and saRacty, OF
open and ingenious character, an excellent
instructor, and most efficient Co le 20 executive.
MOreoVer-and what CT nsider of great importance
IN SO influential director OF young men-he is fully
in sympathy with the spirit OF the times, He be-
heves in tree institutions, equal rights, and human
progress; am thus particular in speaking OF Pre-
sldent HckOk, because his venerable and lamented
predecessor was SO widely known and hOnored mat
the question of who his mantle has fallen up On is
one of interest to the intelligent pubic generally
The Alumni meeting was largely attended, and.
as these meetings usually are, vely interesting
Judge Lott. OF New YORK, presided, and the annual
address was deN cred by Or. Littejohn, of Brook
lyn. The orator chosen Tor next year is 1On Alex
ander ii Rice, of Boston, of the c.ass of 1845, and
for alternate, the b on. JOHN K Porter, OF AIDauy.
The main pic of interest at the Alumni meeting
was the movement which has been some time on foot
TO erectan Alumni ball-a bui ding sufficiently large
to furnish suitable room for the Alumni meeting,
ana chapel for tue Olege, which may be used IN.
stead OFT city churches for commencement exer-
clses, The foundation of such building was laid
some time ago. but ii has never progressed further
than the foundation. Steps were taken TO lay this
matter before the alumni IN a practical shape aud
tis to be hoped that the response Will be generous
as the object IS worthy. The Alumni OF Union Co..
lege are numerous enough and wealthy enough TO do
the handsome thing by their Alma Mater. Hitherto,
however, they have done almost nothing, Other
colleges nave had large and repeated donations
~
influential tnan thai OF ''0d UnIon" This un-
pleasant singularity should not longer continue.
On Tuesday afternoon very ,arRe audience
assembled at the First Dutch Church to listen to
eulogy upon the late President Mott by Alexander
Bradford, ESQ.,, OF New York CITY, The production
was very long, and was so mserably del vered that
Jailed to give the satisfaction which Its merits were
really calculated to afford 1t to be printed, 1
suppose, and will read better than it sounded
Many were the footsteps that during the three days
OF commencement wandered TO the quiet spot III
"Vale Cemetery" where the mortal remains of
nm nnrf0 rnn FDqf han a.zyfK
years he was the honored President of this College
Two whole generations mad grown up and passed
away before he lett the stage OF action. He had
graduated men, and their sons and grandsons af er
them. He was a minister IN the flush of early
manhood when Aaron Burr in que leu Alex.
andeI Hamilton His most eloquent sermon preached
upon that memorable occsson did more to break
down the barbarOus practice of duelIng in the
United States than any or all other causes combined,
For more than halt a century President Mott was
most influential in moulding the policy and history OF
the state OF New YORK. He was on intimate terms
with all her public men, and was wont to be
suited bv them on all important occasions. He is
said to have been the trusty counsellor and guide OF
brilliant and honorable because 80 wholly devo ed
to the great pTlnclpes of Justice and human ad-
Vancement. He was the father OF the common
school system in New York. He had mind OF
great inventive powers, and was icuary intGen.
ha in promoting The early use OF anthracite coal,
both for the ordinary pdrposes of fuel and IN the
various branches OF manufacturing industry. Illus
triOus man! lie was q line example of the splendid
possibilities winch Amerlcan institutions hold out
to ta ent and genius, however humble their origin,
or limited their early resources
have lett self great space for speaking Of the
graduating class on Wednesday. will not partcu
larze, but Will content myself by saying that the
character of those exercises, to speaking and
writing, has greatly improved during the last few
year, The elocutlOn of the young men was re-
markablY fine, and the thought was marked by a
ma urity and conden alton unusual on such oeca-
sions. Another thing worthy of remark was the
nigh tone of all the speeches. They full OF
generous sympathy and enthusiasm, abreast with
the tendencies OF the times ana thoroughly lmbued
with liberal and progressive ideas. Corrupt an 4
counterfeit conservatism" had no representatives
among those young men just stepping upon the
arena Of active life May they always remain true
TO their present exalted and generous ideals! ..
II is custom at Union the VariC us classes tC
assemble upon each tenth anniversary OF their gradu
auOn. The classes thus BROUGHT together on this oc
casion those OF 1856 1916, 1885, 1926 and 1915
do not know how we'll the other classes obeyed thC
summons, but the class of 56, 10 which the writer
belongs, turned out IN considerable strength, som
found that quite number Of the class had takel
part In the lale great war of the Rebellion. One o
them, Major Weed, was killed upon the field o
battle. Another, and who had come from the ia
West to be present with us, Lieutenant Colont
Muenscher, had followed Sherman IN his greaC marc
assault upon Fort McAllster, Others had hell
various responsible positions. The reunion was
delightful one, and Will make bright spot IN tn
memories OF all who were present.
And thus this annual feast OF one of the homes {
learning was over and the guests departed Tn
colleges of our country among ner noblest inst
tuuons TheV are the centres OF thought and intU
ence They mould the men who mould the polio
and career of the nation They stand at the spTine
OF national life ard character. Let US rejoice thE
their influences are generally OF a kind calculate
to oennoble and bless the young men VINO gatht