Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-14
COMMENCEMENT WEEK AT BOW
DOM.

! DUN.
FROM OUR REPORTER.
CLASS DAY.
Brunswick July 18th
The exercises of day opened with the
/ meeting of the Maine Historical society, the
chief business of which was to elect officers
and resolve to widen the influence of the So
ciety At 10 o'clock President McCosh of
Princeton, gave an able address before the
Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity.
Observation-Disclosures.
The regular class day exercises opened at
the church at half past II o'clock with fine
Grafton from VIM. S. Pate of North Munroe.
His subject was the Progress of Philanthro-
py." He introduced it by an allusion to pro-
gress in general as observed in science, litera-
ture, and the extension of liberty. The great
law of human progress is ever operating. 1t
causes one nation to rise, another to fall, 1t
detects error, it reveals truth
The orator showed the progress of philan-
thropy by comparing ancient and modern lit
erature. With the Greek, man had no right
that was not subseryient to the State. The
idea of individual rights never broke in upon
their mind. To make their nation strong, to
adorn it with orators, scholars, and artists,
was the great object which they sought and
attained Their literature abounds in ethic-
al sentiments, and scholarly productions,
but philanthropy finds expression in all
their works. With the Roman, also, ndivid-
ual rights were not recognized. In the
writings of their wisest authors, virtue is
looked upon as a decoration Of the State rath-
er than sacred treasure of every individual,
and from the earliest fragments of Enneus to
the last scroll of the Roman peer, we find no
recognition of true philanthropy. 1t was re-
served for our own and other modern litera-
lures to propagate the great principle of in
dividual rights. We find this gem-ike prin-
ciple sparkling on every page of our pcrma-
nent works. 1t is the soul of our noblest
English poems, the foundation of our legal
volumes, the theme of orator and moralist,
the network of our philosophy, and the high
toned accompaniment of our dramatic and
tragic compositions. A still greater progress
of philanthropy is seen by comparing ancient
and modern institutions. First, the insttu-
ton of slavery was once universally recog-
nized, but philanthropy has driven it from
many nations, and is to drive it from all. Sec
ondly, our universities represent broad and
generous philanthropy, whereas the monaste
ry and other early schools represented mar
row and spiritless scholasticism. To keep
the people in ignorance was once the State
policy; but to-day it is to educate and reform
all men.
The Poem was delivered by Edward p.
Mitchell, of Bath. The remaining exercises
were conducted under the old coax Tree"
THE CHRONICLES.
These were delivered by VIM. ?. Melcher
of Portland, in pleasing and easy style.
We append few of the statistics of the class
as given by the historian:
The whole number entering the class Fresh
man year was %. The class has reached as
high a number as 80, but the number gradu-
ating is only Is. Of those who left before
completing the course, have been married,
and settled down in business OF those who
graduate, five intend to enter the law three
medicine; two business; five undecided.
The oldest man in the class has reached the
age of %, the youngest 10. The average age
is % years l2 months. The heaviest man
weighs $50 pounds; the lightest 1875. The
average weight is l5l pounds. The tallest
man stands feet and is inches the shortest
3 feet and inches. The number engaged is
6. Engaged to Brunswick ladies, none; to
Bath ladies', l to Topsham ladies, |. The
number of smokers 6; those who chew q
take snuff / opium l those who wear side
whiskers 4 mustaches 7.
The historian paid happy compliment to
Ex-Governor Chamberlain, and also to Presi-
dent Harris. 1t will be remembered that the
latter assumed the chair on the entering of
the present graduating class, and with them
he leaves. Since his term of office, hazing,
an old custom, has been extnguished, of
course the historian had a word to say about
this, and it was in very interesting manner
that he reviewed the scenes of by-gone days
Next came
The Prophecy.
This was given by Everett S. Stackpe of
|
the part of all. Not unfrequently the cute
wit and sharp sarcasm of the prophet evoked
shouts of laughter from the audience. The
following members of the class were repre-
scented as holding forth in coming years these
prominent walks of life Bachelor as Pro-
tessor at Bowdoin; Melcher as a doctor;
Pattee as member of Congress; Clark as
Secretary of the United States Treasury;
Davis second George Francis Train; Mon
roe as a stage actor, and Cole as a Phrenolo-
gst The prophecy was followed by
The PARTING ADDRESS
This was by Edgar +. Davis of East Ma
chias. The chief feature of this was the bid
ding adieu to cid scenes of college life and the
expression of many wishes for the future well
fare of each and every member of the class
Mr.. Davis is very fine speaker. He delivered
the recent Fourth of July Grafton at Machias.
After the parting address came the smoking
of the pipe of peace, the class ode and the
farewell, and thus ended another of the many
! scenes at Bowdon long to be remembered