The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-22

men and entitle them to lofty niche In
the temple of fame A marked contrast is
presented In the action of Belknap, who
drifted with the current until epgulted in
the eddying vortex of the whirlpool
Law like matter has its transition periods
and 1t is during those chaotic stages that
law exists in embryo wihou Qualification
except as it is craven on the minds of men.
When we consider the value of precedent
in the pristine ages, when there were no
written statutes, we see how largely the
common law is dependent on precedent for
its authority and validity. We live by
precedent, build houses, churches, ships,
and railroads after the same plan as our
fathers, only occasionally daring to differ
from the hereditary example.
Take Greece and Rome in the zenith of
their power and we find their customs,
laws and modes of life but the reflection of
other ages, rendered more perfect by ad-
vancing civilization.
Go with me to the canyons of Uri and
Unterwalden, in the mountains of Switzer-
| land, and you will find as true models of
| republics as can be found in modern times
| With the constant tide OF emigration sweep
| ing alternately from east to west, is it any
wonder that we characterize each succeed
| ing age or cycle as graft on the preced.
ingP
| Men worship mystery not less in the
dark ages of superstition and moral bond
| age than in more enlightened and christian
times. When the hordes of savage north
men swept over England they transplanted
there their ferce and warke customs. and
rude and unlettered though they were,
saved seed which was destined to transmit
the effects of an abundant frutage for
aud growth of the EBglish legal polity
is divided into six distinct periods, eacn
| dependent on the other, and each
marked by some sign or wonder. If every
| period in history is golden ege, it is no
less true in law, for law is but the record
| of the transactions of men, handed down
through the long line of the centuries as q
chart for the guidance of human action.
| The first period, up to the Norman con-
quests, is dry and unnteresting, and valu-
able to the student only as a finger board
| pointing To future progress. 1t were fitting
to trace each period in outline, and to no.
| tce the successive steps of advancement
up to tia present, but time will not admit
Never, think, shall we learn fully to ap-
preciaic the martyrlike trials, sulfsrings
and hlrdships, which are to US the three
great state papers, the Magma Carta, Dec
laration Of Independence and Emsncipa-
ton Proclamation. The very motions of
the people seem to say we ape the manners
OF the fish market, the coast and the syna
gogue. Love Of imitation is the source of
much evil az well as some law. But
while we pride ourselves on all innova-
tinns that seem to foreshadow a better era.
let us not forget that cold customs contain
the seed of new liberties"
'rbp apta of lima or6 counniIc nIl tho
pages of history, and from these silent acts
of once loving actors, are derived prece-
dents which We call common law. Amcri-
can law and institutions are simply off
shoots of the present stock brought to per-
| lection under republican government,
Thus today we have the common law
pruned of all excresences, stripped of empty
verbiage and adapted TO the wants of the
people. Let me impress upon you the ne
cessity of establishing good precedents, bur
more especially on you who are engaged in
study. You are forming characters and &C
quiring knowledge; see to it that every &C
is true act manly act, and above all
that every act Is christian act, 30 shall
you contribute something to the common
law. In every page of history, in every
statute book, in every act Of daily life. we
meet the universal declaration that the love
OF precedent is the soul and spirit of thu
common law. Common law, then, is the
material relation of man with man, the
golden rule revised, vouchsafing to man
equality and liberty under law.
The Grafton was received with much ap.
plausc. A bountiful COLLATION. kindly pro.
vided by the ladies was then served. After
Refreshments the audience again repaired
to the grounds where Ii. s. Perrigo an
nounced the toast master, A. +. Leaven-
worth, A. NJ, who announced the follow
ing toasls:
l. The Board OF Trustces-We should
like to hear from them, one and all.
Appropriately responded TO by Hon. E
S lIinman, A. b. Adams, esq, Rev. S
Knowlton and Rev. c. 3. Hubert, former
president of the board.
2. Our President Of the Alumni, whom
we left as Waterman upon the tower one
year ago-What of the toast?
Responded to by II. S. PerIigo, A. NJ.
A Our Administering by theil
past success in every position in which
they have been placed, may they press on
to still higher achievements in The future.
Responded to by G. S. Fuller, of the
university of Vermont.
H. Oar Beloved Dead-While we mourn
their early loss, we will ever cherish tht
memory of their earnest, though brief
lives as a choice legacy.
Received standing and in silence, the
band playing LET the dead beautiful rest.
5 Our representatives in the higher
schoOls-Are they true to the lessons OF
their alma mater
responded to by o. W. Hard, an aluminus
of the L. V. NJ.
6. The medical profession in prospectu.
Responded to pointedly by A. A. Dean OF
Monkton.
7. The ladies-Who, true to their sex.
have provided SO beautifully for our ply
steal wants, and have graced our reunion
by their presence. God bless them.
Responded to by three hearty cheers.
8. The band-Whose presence upon this
occasion has contributed so largely to the
pleasure of this occasion. May we meet
again.
Responded to by the band.
Toasts were prepared on the press. The
farm, and other subjects, but owing TO The
lateness of the hour they had to be post
poned.
Capt. Leavenworth preiaced each toast
with Appropriate remarks, interspersed with
pleasant illusions, and, at the close. re-
turned the charge of the audience to Prof.
Perrigo with further remarks, expressive
of the pleasure which this meeting had
given him. 1t had been to HIM, indeed,
like coming home. Grateful for the kind
words of welcome he had received on
every hand, he should return to his labors
stronger for his appointed work.
At the conclusion the exercises were