The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-29

The Henry Reed prize bounded by the alumni Of
the university to Charles Carver for the best essay
The junior alumni prize, for the best original
defamation, to George Tybout Purves.
The honorary degree of Master of Arts was
conferred upon Mr.. Lucius Barrows.
The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity
was conferred upon Rev. Thomas f. Davies,
Rev. Edward A. Foggo, and Rev. Theodore
Appel:
dictory address, as follows
Valedictory, by L.. y. Massey.
Ladies and Gentlemen :-One hundred and four
teen years have swept over our university since the
first class lett the halls OF the college 80 peculiarly
their own. Since that memorable commencement
whose participants and spectators have long been
silent many a band OF students has completed its
college course, each pressing forward to tnat posi-
tiOn which we, in our turn, have attained; and now
of VI appear before you, taking our leave of this
narrow role to enter upon the stage of an amphi-
theatre worldwide, and to sustain our part in those
vast plays of destiny that cover the space and time
of human existence-plays for which you and we,
aud all must be enrolled as actors. With the throb
Of pleasure at hearts, impatient for the waking
reality of our dreams, we have arrived at the day
which, as the completion of the records OF past
and the preface to the volumes OF our future, obte
rates the memory OF every disappointment, and
brings to their fruition the labors OF our course.
We know not, indeed, how soon the violence OF the
conflict into which we enter may bear us down, but
to-day we exult in the untrammelled energy OF our
youth, and stand eager for the struggle, which to
many has proved grave. Yes, to-day all for us is
gadness, except the thought that, as class, we are
round OF our student life, and that to you, who have
favored US with your presence and attention on oc-
casons still recent to our minds, and who are here
met to view our separation and departure for un-
known fields of life, that to you we are become only
individual friends,
Classes leave their Alma Mater; some who still re-
tain memories Of their own farewell; many, In full
possession OF an experience by us not yet even
touched; oil looking, perhaps, with somewhat of
pity for the youths just standing on the verge of
their lifelong toll. But away with fear for those
who, as we feel that what has been done by others
that also may be accomplished by themselves. You
have attained the position that once was longed for;
you have reached, perhaps have passed, that far
placed goal towards which, with eager eyes, you
once also looked through the uncertain light of
extend forward into the future, sees at least
break, through which shines success, and,
as in 70 the the G college II Ss what with ~ all has s
might; so, guided by the knowledge drawn from our
university, we shall strive to surpass that point
which, by you has been attained and for which this
day consecrates our thoughts our actions our lives.
And now, as we pass along to fill the last
ranks Of those who have gone before and leave the
places and friends to whom as class, we never can
return, thank you for the kind feeling you have
always expressed towards our college, and Qn behalf
of my CLASSY bid you farewell.
Gentlemen of the Faculty:-Ths cay, which Is so
memorable to us as the commencement OF larger
fe to you is occasion made familiar by the repe
titons OF many years. You have seen students
enter and pass through the college, both yours and
theirs, in one continuous stream; you have beheld
the "Farewell" of many classes as they stood upon
the boundary Of their Past and OF their Future
yet with all your manifold experience we trust that
you will never lose the interest you have always
shown in our class and in its MEMBERS And in
deed, we feel that the limited period embraced by
our course-a period of trial and encouragement OF
Improvement and succeSs-has been most import
ant in the history OF the University and entitle
the classes OF these few years to somewhat of nte-
rest from their professors and friends.
Casting aside the shackles OF conservatism, which
too often fetter our colleges, departing from the
narrow path OF the DID, and pushing forward in the
new, the university is rapidly attaining that pre-
emneDce to which her position and her learning en-
title Tic ber in cur State 81. ..u..,.o. -
ago our Trustees determined to leave footprints
OF century, and to remodel, by wise additions to
your number, college which should become an
honor to its graduates ana friends
We appear as the first fruits of the change, and,
trust, as evidence of its wisdom and success Our
college will welcome those who may hereafter enter
her walls with advantages far greater than our
selves have received, but we rejoice in our pryi-
leges as mmeasurably superior TO those of our pre-
decessors But it is not my duty to record the past
nor, aprophet to foretell the future rather for
my class, to say farewell. l shall not repeat the
words often spoken on this occasion, "of four
years college life" and ''of associations with you,
omit TO testify to your ability, your patience, and
interest in while yet under your faithful
care. There is no need to tell you we are
grateful To Provost and Professors we return our
most heartfelt thanks, and will prove that the uni
versity may count among her hrmest supporters
those who are now the youngest or her sons.
To you, also, fellow students and undergradu-
ates, we turn to take our leave. AS year pursues
year, and each class gdes into the track or its
foIerunner, you, and all-from those VINO in the
! succeeding term will ill our vacant forms to the
newest of your number-will held the place of IT,
You are the SPIRIT the llfe-blood, the energy OF
our college. Though with the Trustees rests the
Faculty, the moving, shaping power is yourselves
No class leaves the society OF its fellows, no student
! bids adeu to his classmates and then goes forth
bearing a name devoid of influence on thecharacteI
| OF his University and OF those who remain behind
they have their College halls we
| believe have become only memories Of former years
and left NO traces OF good or OF evil on US theil
| No matter how low place may be held by any in
the gradatons OF the University, no matter how in
feror TO his classmates any may be shown, it is or
each and all OF you that the character OF the stu
dents, and therefore, OF our Alma Mater, In future
mainly rests.
| your course, when our Alma Mater occupies plac,
behtting the dignity OF her age and the prestige
her past; but, when new advantages are laid before
you, when your number counts itself by hundreds
never forgot that the unanimity and affection OF tn
students IS the strongest prop on which colleg
can rely; and then, when you as well as we, shal
| have completed the short time allotted to instruc
ton, you will be alumni worthy OF the institution
which you Will reverence as your own.
Fellow students, some OF you have been to U
almost as classmates while now / see others neve
known yet within our halls; but we leave, regret
ting our departure from your number, although re
joicing in this present fulhlment OF our hopes
Farewell.
class OF IL to take my leave OF those with whom
have been connected by such bonds OF feeling a
class and college life and they alone, can create
From the friends now present TO view our depar
ture from the instructors OF our college days, fron
the companions who still continue in our foot
priRts, we have turned, bidding adieu to all with
regret which, though deep and eryent in its nature
is Iar far exceeded by the sadness that presses o.
me while parting from the dearest kindest, warmes
friends of latter years. 1t Is hard to realize, an
sorrowiul to think, that the "old Glass" which, IN
broken by death and firmly associated IN feeling
has pursued four years course still more unltin
In lis time and occupation, is about to separate
never, never to assemble amid the greeting