The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-08-04
sen,;-CenseBniat at Colby Uaivcrs ity.

WATERyILLE, August 3, 1870
To the Editor ofthe Press:
A heavy shower early yesterday morning
laid the dust and cleared the atmosphere, so
that Semi Centennial was the most perfect
day that could be desired The Association of
the Alumni met at the chapel at 8 o clock and
was called to order by Gen. H. NJ. Paisted of
Bangor, who has served for several years as
President of the association. The Necrologist,
Prof. G. e. Hamlin, reported only four al
umni deceased during the past year. The
committee on memorial tablet reported that
they bad decided upon copy six feet in
length, OF Thorwaldsen's great work, the Lion
of Lueerne. The artists engaged, Messrs
Milmofe Bros, OF BoS on, had heartily APP
proved the idea, and We're already giving it
their best efforts, but would not be able to
have it IN position until june next Two
thousand dollars will be Eeeded to defray the
expense of the work. of which over $500 has
been subscribed.
Gen. Plaisted having declined a re election,
Hon. Henry w. Paine, of Boston, was elected
President, Prof. G. e Hamlin Secretary and
Necrolo9ist, and Prof. L. w. Hall Treasurer.
Mr.. Paine in accepting the chair made very
felcitous and genial speech.
The procession, headed by the Germanias,
left the grounds soon after II o'clock, and
marched to the Baptist church, where Pres-
dent Champln delivered historical address.
At the conclusion of this discourse the process
sion returned to the college chapel, and after a
few minutes Of social greetings, proceeded to
the Alumni ball above, where dinner bad
been served in the most approved style. Rev.
DIR. Lamson of Massachusetts, said grace, and
100 alumni and invited guests applied them
selves to the task of reducing the bountiful
supply of delicious salmon turkeys, chickens,
roast beef, buildings, pastry, ice-cream and
bot coffee. The Alumui Hall with its arched
ceiling, its heavy black ash panelng, and it's
airy location, furnishes the best college dining
hall probably in the country. Two hundred
guests can be easily accom- modated in it.
The claims of hunger having been attended
TO, the President with rare skill and playful
illusions to each speaker, proceeded to supply
the mental appetites of the assembly. He call
ed upon President Cbamplin, whose remarks
were mainly deploring the lack of sufficient CO.
operation among the alumni in directing stu
dents to their alma mater Gov Chamberlain
followed in a capital speech He spoke of the
fact that the State and the College were born
the same year, and now celebrated their fifth
eth anniversary. 1t seemed to him that Mas
sachusetts ia early days had been only like a
step mother to the District of Maine and all
its interests. Though not officially connected
with this University the State looks to it with
pride, remembering the good work which has
been done in Maine even by the brain power
nurtured here. The Obituary Record of the
College is hers also. The Governor paid a
warm tribute to the Waterville men known
and loved by him, true comrades in the field.
He declared his high regard for the manly
spirit here fostered, of which the exercises OF |
the undergraduates has given token the even
ing before, and pledged the college the best |
efforts of his heart and hand.
Rev. S. w. Merrill, class of 1926, spoke of |
his feelings on returning forty-hve years after |
graduating, and his earnest prayers that the |
religious spirit of the college would ever retain
its high character.
Robert W. Wood, NJ. D., class of 1929, for
many years past residing in the Sandwich Is
lands, expressed his fervent wishes for the
highest success of the college. aud cxb.rted
the alumni to keep high the reputation of
Maine men abroad.
Prof VIM. Mathews, class OF 1885. spoke of
changes and improvements in instruction ana
attention 20 the noble English language. He
reminded them that colleges were not reform
schools, and that the best code of college gov
eminent was the laws Of good society," He
drew an amusing picture of an ideal college
professor, muscular and of prodigious diges-
ton, and hoped the University would b. en-
abled TO keep pace with the times.
Judge Dickerson, class Ct 1886, of the Su- /
preme Court of Maine, spoke of his apprecia-
ton of the instruction here given, of the ex-
cellent teaching by analysis; was glad to find