New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-27
COMMENCEMENT SEASON.
HARVARD.
GEN. GRANT MADE AN IL. ID.
GENERAL PRESS pIsPATCH.I

BosToN, June 26.-The attendance at the
Harvard College Commencement, to-day, was unusually
largo, owing probably to the presence OF President
Grant and other distinguished persons There was inc
usual procession followed by the literary exercises in
the church and the bestowa OF degrees by President
Eliot.
President Grant Gov washburn, and James Mar
tneau received the degree of LII ID. The title of ID. d.
was given to the Rev. Ezra Abbott; that Of A. NJ to
Thos. Motley and Ferdinand Bache, and ID. M. ID. to
Thos. II. Chandler. Much enthusiasm was manifested
the names of the President and Governor were
called the audience rising and cheering the President
f. lockwood Hoar chosen President Of the Alumni
THE ALUMNI DINNER-sPEECHEs OF GEN. GRANT,
ROBERT C. WINTHROP, AND GEN. DICK
TAYLOR.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUEgl
Boston, June 26.-The great event OF Com
mencement at Harvard to-day was the dinner OF the
Alumni this afternoon. 1t made unusually interest
by the presence Of the trustees OF the Peabody Fund.-
the President OF the United States, and Secretaries
Boutwell, and Fish. Speeches were made by the
Hon. VIM. Gray retiring President Of the Alumni
President Eliot, Judge Hoar, Gov. washburn, Judge
Clifford the Hon Robert c. winthrop, the Rev.
Dr. Sears and Gen. Dick Taylor of Louisiana. President
Eliot, in his speech, welcomed the visitors saying
among other things, 1--WE greet with especial satisac
tioni the members of the Peabody Trustees from the
Southern States. On college benches tho sons OF
Virginia. Sou tn Carolina, and Louisiana used to sit side
by side with the Of Massachusetts, NewHampshire
and Maine. 1t a wholesome contact, and we would
gladly see them all back again. We hail with
pleasure the gradual increase in the number OF
Southern students upon our catalogue as sign or
the return OF fraternal feeling and prosperity to
the Southern States May be assured prosperity
securely founded the intelligence and activity OF an
educated people Mr. Eliot made the usual reference to
the condition of the University, showing the beneficial
af,,Ha atudv All bV
with the rich mems He also referred to the ar
rangements concerning degrees, none being now con-
ferred save after strict examination which gave Har-
ward degrees a serious meaning and q real value.
Gen. Grant made one OF his remarkable speeches,
stating his inability TO speak in rather better English
than usual. lie said:
Gentlemen, Graduates of Harvard College, wish it
was In my power to thank you sufficiently and TO ex-
press the qualification feel at the reception which you
have given me here to-day. believe all OF you are
Excuse me II leave II for some one else who follows me
TO thank you in my place. will designate Judge Hoar
who knows my failing in that respect
There was very little OF eeneralnterest in the speeches
OF Judge Hoar. Gov. Washburn and Judge Clifford,
and were well received. Mr.. Winthrop made a long
speech, in which he complimented President Eliot
Fdward Everett Chief Justice Shaw and many other
eminent men, were present. He incidentally Endorsed
or ar washington Dr. Sears said that $4,000 given
of the Peabody fund.- had resulted in appropriations of
cities and towns which were aided showing
that instead Of giving people dependent feeling the
fund was looked upon a help and stimulant. Gen.
Richard Taylor made very happy speech, which was
heartily applauded in the course OF which he said III
7 were able TO express 1.-THE Of my feelings on
this occasion. Secretary Fish might take lesson ia
statesmanship therefrom. The social and other
Influences OF this classic place would recon-
strnct the most unrepentant Rebel However much the
people OF the North may think the Southern people erred
In their course believe they would not have wished to
see the martial character Of the American people suffer-
and trust the southern people earned their respect
would say the President that II their yaor had been
one bit less then the uster OF his victories would have
been diminished Nations aggregations OF units and
subject certain diseases would regard all that
species of national whooping cough or measles.
We draw all that Ia most valuable in
our institutions from the great Anglo Saxon
peoples who though they frequently disagree in them
selves readily unite in forwarding the national
when their differences healed Almost before the
spilled blood had dried up Puritan and Cavalier were
taking counsel together for the benefit OF the country
1t is my WISH in which trust all the alumni OF Har-
ward will jOn that the time is not far distant when the
names of all In this country who did their duty accord
ing their light may be household words Ger all the
broad heritage Of COlumbia's