The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-27
l24th commencement.
The Graduating Exercises.
The Literary Societies.
Address of Secretary Bellnap
From Our Olcn Correspondent,


interest this year, and have attracted a CORES
pondng public interest The town and the col
lege precincts are crowded as they never have
been at any previous commencement. The
knowledge that the Secretary of War was to
deliver the Grafton before the literary societies
has added greatly to the interest manifested.
The exercises were inaugurated on Sunday by
the Baccalaureate sermon of President McCosh,
from the text "Hear, o Israel-the Lord our
God is one Lord" 1t was a most learned and
eloquent effort, and created profound impress
sion.
To-day at o'clock the Seniors had their
closing prayer meeting, and at 1'45 the gradual
ing class assembled to hear the class poem
grafton, and ode. A. j. Van Cleve, of Trenton,
was the poet, j. McClain the orator, and w. j.
Hornblower of Paterson, delivered the ode
These gentlemen all acquitted themselves ad-
mirably. The class history, by Robert II. Pat
terson of Philadelphia, was then read This
was one of the most interesting features of the
commencement.
The great event of the week, however, is the
address of General w. w. Belknap, Secretary
of War; before the American Wing and Clio
sophie Societies. The following is
Secretary BelIxnap's Address.
1t is the same old Princeton still. The ground on
which we tread seems sacred. The very air reviv-
hes the memory OF days long gone. There have
have been lived that even prophetic ken could not
presage. and it has seemed as If in months the
the influence of these changes we who years ago
went from this spot to begin our battle with the
home, to clasp the hands of classmates who have
survived the pers OF llfe to greet each other with
the same warmth of a1eciiOnate feeling which years
ago marked our companionship, to baing aud gladly
give our testimony to the value OF the treasury Of
which elisten from the eyes of the young and hope.
full, and which fall like blessings from the lips of
snI aectonatelv mindful of the Cherished mast t
speak our vows of homage here before these affairs
and lay our gifts OF gratitude upon old Nassaus
The memories of college days come crowdng on
now as fresh and full as ever. The lapse of time
the sight that looks back upon the past; and the
collections that are dear to every graduate, with all
their pleasant SURROUNDINGS are with us now as II
they were fashioned into form but yesterday. Those
grand old trees are larger but their leaves are as
green and their shade as refreshing as then. Old
North, the home OF so many hopes, has gone, but
from its site come the sounds which are SO ike
the tones OF that old bell that they seem like the
recurrence OF familiar music. Looking down
the list which tells OF our comrades we find that
many have left this life and gone to everlasting rest
Back to us come the remembrances which live when
more unkindly thoughts die out-of their noble
actions and their many vrtues-and as we talk to-
gether of the past and live again in hours the lives
OF years, we give the tribute OF our love to them
throug6 those grounds where lie the great de-
parted, linger by the line OF mounds where rest
dom to the formation OF this seat OF learning and
opened the way for its future Developments we
think of the name of Dickinson, which iE lasting
letters is found recorded first high up on the
column OF its presidents-of Edwards. the fame OF
whose mighty intellect will always ive-of Wither-
spoon, the patriot divine, whose voice in his coun-
try's cause was guided by the dictates OF duty-of
6een listened to Sy msny who now live to yenerate
his character, and OF the others, all OF whom by
their gave as work give hs
unfolding of that great future which comes as the
result OF duty done. when we reflect upon the OBJ
fooIaQ f0 fhepn nd he m QO
nitude OF the attempts made when the colonies
weak, we feel In our hearts that "they buided
To these halls we return to find the institution OF
our love the same. and yet more prosperous In hel
progressive march she gathers new friends TO mel
support she forms increased attachments and at
tracts new allies; she calls to her command new
recruits and under the guardianship OF her protect
ing arm and her instructing voice, holds new acces
sions of young men.
In life OF educated men commend themselves con
stantly to rejecting minds. The debt that coneg
graduates owe the institution wherein that educa
ton was acquired can be computed by no easy reck
oplng. -.-- -,-.,-,.. -, A..
growth of the American nation are themes whlcl
have commanded the voices OF orators when 1t wa
deemed a duty to boast OF the advance OF the lanC
in science in literature, and in all those qualite
which contribute to the fame OF great nation; an
while the constant repetition OF this expression o
pride is at times tiresome the fact is before US,
plainly evident that its truth cannot be doubted
thst ts ts evensve resources and Se elements wbe
form its strength and which Will hereafter discos
the power OF its dominion, nave not yet reacned Oe
yOnd the mere beginning OF development TIT
most fervent imagination could not have dreame
ten years ago OF the results that surely
though slowly, were evolved from tina
great struggle which demanded the ser
vices and strong arms OF millions or men
and called from the treasury milons OF money
which was begun and fought and ended, leaving
government stronger than ever richer than eveI
and people the tenor OF whose life moved on un
disturbed by the mOmentous events which had SUI
prieed the world and given their part TO hstOrJ
From sea TO sea that country grows. Far In tn
West new States spring from the wilderness al
demand for themselves Stars on the nag. Beyon
the spot where the pioneer has penetrated lie mys
teries, the revelation OF whose riches the Govern
ment sends its engineers TO seek. From all direC
tions-from central points ana from the borders Q
the continent, come in instantaneous dashes this
intelligence which tells the course OF wind an
cloud, and gives so true forecast OF coming atmOs
pherio changes that we are forced TO study the in
mense extent OF territory which, from such d
tances, sends its messages In moments. line
travel from the Missouri TO the ocean on the ives
built through LANDS almost unknown before the raj
were laid, finds its capacity pressed beyond belle
Above and below that hne-among those region
watered by the Red river OF the North, and whel
the more generous soil Is warmed by sun who's
heat nearer that OF the tr0picsgreat arms OF ire
are reaching out toward the Pacific and comman
ing successfully the capital Of the land for the
The subject is no new one and yet demands OF
thoughts. Human prophecy cannot f0rtell the grea
ness OF a land whose growth In wealth and p0pul
ton has been so wonderful and 80 far beyond
hope, and the centre OF whose empire is mOViI
rapidly ana surely IN the direction OF the setting su
creased Ia the last decade from 1TO0 900 TO 1900 90
Oregon has Increased 70 per cent Iowa, 70 p
cent; Minnesota, l6c per cent Kansas, 2Sa p