The New York herald., 1873-07-02
UNION COLLEGE,.
Harmonizing the Past and the Present-Prog-
ress-Lack of Physical Education
Alumni Exercises.

SCHENECTADY, July ], 1878.
The new era in the career Of Union College, now
the centre OF q powerful university, mas no
better evidence OF its veritable existence than
the increased activity that envens its once almost
deserted classic shades. Everything at this mo-
mentous season bespeaks anxious ambition and
determined labor OF the brain. Every emaciated
Senior whom one meets wears an air OF ieariully
solemn abstraction so that his eyes fail in their
survey OF creation to distinguish such minute
and modest atom as yourself The Juniors, how
ever, who now feel themselves dignihed with I'M
portance never experienced before as successors
to the departing Seniors eldest children Of the in
stitution, are very courtly in their manners, and
show significant emulation Of the ideals OF Ameri-
can scholarship which have been illustrated by pub
lie men who formerly drew the first milk OF knowl-
edge that sustained their genius IRON this alma
mater.
THE SPIRIT OF THE PAST,
like a guardian angel, hovers in the academic
groves and halls, and ever points to these noble
examples. 1t Is nurtured and cherished by the Old
professors-they who were here in the times OF the
good Eliphalet Mott, and by the younger ones who
have been unconsciously drawn into the charmed
circle OF its influence. This dwelling in the
past is 80 different from the common Ameri-
can habit OF thought, which Is irresist.
bly progressive, that 1t is somewhat surprs-
ing in It's novelty; but under the present re-
gfne 1t has been very happily harmonized with
spirit of Improvement, which, as said yesterday,
is undoubtedly destined to retrieve for the College
its olden prestige and make 1t still more useful
than it ever has been.
THE COLLEGE BUILDINGS
here have the most charming situation OF any In
the country. They stand upon the western slope
OF low and round hill in the edge of the city, and
overlook . long sweeping range OF mountains in the
West and the misty hills Of Vermont in the East.
A fine, romantic grove waves its green banners in
the genial Summer breezes behind the North Col
lege, and contains many pleasant and secluded
hooks sacred to impressive memories. wild
but tasteful and uxuriant garden is traversed be-
fore the forest is reached, and limpd brook sep
arates the from the other. Near the entrance to
the cool alcoves formed by the great trees is small
glade. in the centre of which stands gigantic
old elm, with bark hoary with age, and great arms,
rugged and distorted by the vicssitudes OF its long
years OF growth. This, tradition says lovingly. was
the favorlte resort OF DR.. Mott. 1t was here that
he was wont to retire from care and labor after
college hours to enjoy relaxation and rest. The
tree Is crowned by an immense mass OF foliage,
that seems In its greenness as vigorous as 1t ever
could have been In the best days Of him who fire.
qpented its shade.
THE VISITORS
TO this little city are now very numerous and one
of the most brilliant assemblages that have gath
cred here In many years is expected to be present
at the final commencement celebration tomorrow.
There Is almost total absence of interest in ath-
letic sports in this college excepting base ball.
Phi''-and il does not seem to possess much VI
vacity. The completion Of the new gymnasium is
i0okeH n 70 WIN expec'ann t as
training will then be naugurated. 1t is certainly
needlul, for while Union College lacks nothing In
the lame OF tradition she lacks much the ecidt
which should attend the greatness to which she
can still advance claim.
ALUMNI DAY.
fa al nd
fore season of unrestrained genlality and kindly
feeling. Notwithstanding that the weather has
O'Clock, the Hon. Henry r. Pierson, Vice President
acting as Chairman. Among the venerable and
Ns adge Bs
clate Chief Justice BOwden, OF North Carolina;
Judge Allen, OF the Court OF Appeals; Senator
James Wood Platt Carpenter, Judge Warner, Of
Albany, and the Rev. Or. Haley The Rev. DR.. d. c.
Maclaren of Geneva, n. Y, class OF 1878, the Oldest
living alumnus, was called upon to speak. He is
tall, straight old gentleman, with thin gray hair
and proud carriage. His voice tremblcd with
emotion while he expressed his feeling OF lone-
ness among the graduates of other generations,
his cOmpeers having Already gone before
him beyond the bourne OF death. He had come
Tor the frst time in many years To TINS gathering,
without any idea OF doing any good for any one
else, but out OF respect and love for his dear old
Alma Mater. Although he had always been most
rigid Presbyterian, he believed in those principles
in regard TO sectarIanism in education which had
always distinguished Union College and made Ii,
not only nominally but really, state institution
The burden OF his speech was an elaboration OF this
expression OF opposition to sec tartan education,
and he was warmly applauded when he closed
Resolutions ofeie ed by the Rev. Mr.. Willard. of
Syracuse. proposing the establishment during The
coming year OF an endowment fund OF 900 for
the relief OF superannuated professors in the scien
tific department., and Classical prOiessorshp
with an endowment OF S30, 900, were unanimously
adopted. An Endowment Committee was ap-
pointed, composed of Howard Potter, Henry Il.
Persen, Gilbert NJ. Spier, ;. Il. Brownell and the
Rev. ID. Mahan.
The alumni elected the following officers for
1S73-4:-
His Excellency John T. Hoffman, LID, Pres
dent; Right Rev. Horatio Potter DID,, LID,
LID, Henry R. Pierson, % Horatio lD"' G. warner
Lib, Nce.fresidents; Alexander ]. Thomson,
AM, Corresponding secretary; Professor Jona-
than Pearson, AM, Treasurer; Isaiah d. Prce,
A. b., Librarian.
THE UNIVERSITY ORGANIZATION.
Harvey J. King, OF Troy whose term OF once
The organization OF the Union University by the
wedding OF the College with the Albany Law scien
tinc and Astronomical Schools was discussed at
length and resolutions approvingit 1t and appointing
Henry r. Person representative at the Commence.
ment were passed. Messrs. Howard Potter ana
ClarksOn Potter were formally thanked Tor their
gilt OF $4,000 to the fund for the building OF the
Alumni Hall, which Is now progressing in accord
ance with the exact original plans OF Dr. Mott
Almost a religious superstition is shown in per.
petuating the ideas OF the departed President, and
III the thoughts OF the alumni he seems almost
sainted.
At one O'Clock q collation., rendered the alumni
by the College, was partaken OF and feicltous ana
specCHeS were iHuulRcu III.
AT three O'Clock the annual address before the PM
Beta Kappa Society was delivered by the Rev.
Dwight X. Bartlett, and poem was read by Mr..
william II. McLlroy.
The students tonight were somewhat jubilant
for the solemn atmosphere of schenectady. The
Seniors gave concert the tickets to which, IL was
hoped, would prove profitable enough to enable
them TO settle all their unpaid bills. Alter the con-
cert was over the streets were, until an exceed
ingly late hour. filled with noises other than
musical, and serious doubts are expressed as TO
probabilities OF the bills being paid after all III Is
likely that ere the fresh light OF dawn streaks the
east 1.-The Ancient Will have been taken down
from his pedestal aud erectualy buried, with the
usual decent ceremonies.
SUICIDE OF PROMINENT MAN