The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-10-13
. CLERICAL OPINION OF HAYES.

A CLERICAL OPINION OF HAYES.
REoo1IEcr1oNs OF HIS CLAszMATE, REV. J RICE
TAYLOR OF sAUaATUCK.
The Rev. j, Rice Taylor. pastor OF All SAINTS
church, Saugstuck, graduated from Kenyon
college, Ohio, IN August, 1S45, with Gov.
Hayes. Mr.. Taylor delivered the salutatory
for the class, aud Mr.. Hayes the valedlctory
address. In response to request Mr.. Taylor
has furnished the Allegan Journal with letter
giving some OF his recollections Of their col
lege life and his opinion OF the ability OF Ohio's
greatest governor, the republican candidate for
president. He says: Rutherford Burchard
Hayes entered the freshman class OF Kenyon
college, Gambia, Knox county, Ohio. in Octo-
Der, 1888. He was then just seventeen years
OF age. having been born October 4th. 1922
Our class numbered thirty and half the num-
Der we're quite young. or the younger MEM
bers Hayes was the only one who graduated
During the four years our class had forty MEM
.bers, only nine OF whom graduated, and seven
are now living. Among the graduating MEM
bers, Hayes and the Hon. Guy M. Bryan, Of
Galveston, Texas, have been distinguished in
public life, the latter having been prominent
member OF the Texas legislature, and also
member Of the United States house OF repre-
sentatives.
During the first two years OF the college
course HAYES was more noted for his constant
newspaper reading and knowledge of the cur
rent civil affairs than Tor any eminence as
student Our rooms we're in the same division
OF the college building, and on the same floor,
and know that his room was frequented by
such as took special interest IN politics.
Hayes during the first two years Of his college
days, was an intimate friend OF the Hon. r. E.
Trowbridge OF Michigan, who was quite poll
tician. Trowbridge was two classes in advance
OF HAYES, and l think was instrumental in
bringing Hayes into notice. 1t was in the jun
ior and senior years that Hayes distinguished
himself as a student, more particularly In math-
ematics and in what, among college boys, are
considered hard studies-that IS Buffers Anal
ogy and Logic. In these latter studies he ex-
celed, The first time remember his taking
lead among the students was on the 22nd Of
February, 1910. The college had been several
months waiting the arrival or newly elected
president. 10 expectation OF this advent in
November previous, the students had prepared
for an Illumination. Weeks and months passed
III expectation Our class had to march to
Bishop Mcllvalne's study for recitations in
rhetoric a distance of three fourths OF mile,
often through ram, mud, and snow. Hayes,
when Washington's birthday came, inslsted on
waiting no longer for the president, but was
81 all hurrah" for burning the candles on the
evening OF the 22nd OF February. Considera-
bic opposition was manifested, but he carried
the day. From that time to this there has al.
ways been an illumination at Kenyon on WASH
lpgton's birthday. | remember the zeal OF
Hayes IN the burning OF these long kept tallow
lpg was lit up. The weather was damp and
ioggv the candles we're soft, and II there was
net IAN ocean OF fame" on the memorable
night of Feb. 22nd, 1910, there we're oceans Of
grease the next morning. The president ar
rived in few days, and for the remainder Of
the college year, on many OF the windows, he
could see what glory awaited HIM, had he only
arrived few days earlier. The new president
took an active interest IN improving and gra-
ding the college park. and Hayes, as IL ANXIOUS
to make some amends for having burned the
tallow candles, when the spring came was al
most every day Tor several weeks dihgent with
spade and wheelbarrow assisting the president
III grading the college grounds.
Hayes was not often seen among the boys
OF ball playing, quoits, or Skinny, or at the
bathing place in Owl creek. In leisure hours
he was in his window with book, magazine, or
newspaper, or sitting on the steps watching
how the games went on. In the literary soci-
ETY. to which he belonged he took an active
part, and was always on hand and prepared for
duty. HIS compositions dealt chiefly with
matter OF fact, and we're brief and always TO
the point. In debate he was clear and positive,
often catching some flaw in the argument Of
hls opponent. At the close Of the JUNIOR year
he was chosen president OF the Philomathean
society for the first half OF the senior year,
and distinguished himself in that Office for dig
nIty or demeanor and for precision and fair
Dess IN summing up debates. At commence
ment ne hao the valedictory, and bis oratlons
and addresses were greatly commended
hayes was slender IN his youthful days, an ath-
lete in physique, but more 80 IN mental make
up. III there Is any truth in phrenology, any
ore who has seen him will see how prominent
is the region OF his reasoning powers have
met him several times since we graduated in
august, $780, and have now his photograph
which he sent me few days since. II there is
any one among our eminent statesmen whose
picture bis forehead resembles, it is that of
henry Clay. have ever since the war OF 1861
commenced, been observing bis course, and for
the past 10 years have been looking for his
nomination to the highest Office the nation"