Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-06-13
Anniversary Of Barre Academy.

The annual anniversary sermon to the graduates
was preached on Sunday, by Rev. Leonard Tenney,
pastor of the Congregational church, who took fol
his text the words, "Thy word have hid in mine
heart that might not sin against thee "-Psalms
exix; IL. The sermon was replete with good
counsel to the young, and eminently fitting for the
occasion
On Monday evening occurred the first rhetorical
exercises of the week, being the
PRIZE SPEAKING,
held at the Congregational church, which was
filled to overlooking. The competitors for the
prizes were four each from the senior and middle
classes the prizes six dollars for the great
est excellence in oratory, and four dollars for
second best. The committee of award were
Hiram Carleton, Esq, and William A. Lord Esq,
of Montpelier, and Professor David Woodbury., Of
Goddard Seminary The following is the list of
speakers, together with the subjects of the decla
nations and their authors
"Irelands Wrongs Charles Phillps
Charles IL beckett, wiiiamsiown.
Fred L. Ktredge st. ioinsbury
David b. Locke Corinh.
Supposed Speech of John Adams Webster
Albert II. Pierce, Niamsown.
''' Darwin r Kingsley, Aibarsh Center NUS
N'' '''"e' George E. Hooker. barre. BAKER
How lie saved ST. Mchaels
Iermon o. Webster, Alstead, \. II.
Last DAYS of IIercuaneum tberstone
Wendell +. stafford barre
The exercises were opened by voluntary upon
the organ by Mr.. Woodruff the assistant prnci-
pal of the academy, followed by prayer by Rev.
Mr.. Demeritt, of Williamstown, after which the
class in vocal music gave an excellent chorus in
good time and voice. The speaking throughout
was of high order, despite the fact several ofthe
speakers were young and consequently inexpe-
rienced. They showed much study and careful
training, however, which reflected much credit
upon the teacher in vocal culture, Professor J. B.
Richardson.
The first speaker, Beckett, left nothing to be de-
sired in manner, voice or enunciatiOn. His pres
ence is pleasing on the platform and his voice
well trained for the stage. trihe more fire and
spirit in some of the passages might have added to
the good effect produced. The poem spoken by
Kittredge was one of the most pathetic called
out by the horrors of the war and did not fail to
thrill every listener. This effect was credit to
the orator as well as the author Locke was Il
trGe too prosy in his imitation of the grea,
pItHtntG, Wlllt HIS bCCuSlDudl DulHlS vi oTdIulN
demonstrated that he WAS not wholly doing him
self justice. Pierce gave spirited Interpretation
to that familiar speech of John Adams and
brought out many new points of eloquence gen
orally overlooked His manner upon the stage
could be much improved. Kingsley, in his por.
traya of the horrors of death upon the rack in
Willis famous poem, carried the audience witt
him in every word and gesture. This young
orator possesses the elements of powerful
speaker and cannot easily be excelled upon the
amateur platform. Hooker gave the interesting
poem of " Red Jacket with much modesty and
appropriateness. Webster, in the line of descrip-
tive oratory, was beyond comparison. Stafford,
the last speaker, was the most powerful in de-
lneating the emotions, while his whole bearing
was that OF boy born for the stage
| The judges awarded the first prize to Stafford
and the second prize to Kingsley.
The music which was interspersed throughout
the exercises consisted of piano solo by the mas
ter hand of viii A, Wheaton, male quartette
Where would be-, and the mixed quartette
Good night, beloved"
Yesterday TUESDAY afternoon occurred the an.
! niversary of the Associated Alumni, on which oc
cason the church was filled with large and in.
terested audience to listen to an address by Rev
/ Charles b. Hubert, President Of Middlebury Col
/ lege. The address was an excellent one, treating
mainly of the question of the hour--the endow
ment of Barre Academy. We regret that lack oil
space compels us to defer the address until mex
week
THE ALUMNI DINNER.
At the conclusion of President IIulberts ad
dress, the President of the alumni, Professo
Richardson announced that the alumni woult
proceed to the Academy Hall to partake of auncl
prepared by the ladies of Barre. Accordingly
procession was formed by Mr. A. A. Wheelock
the Marshal of the day, and lead by the Barr
| Band, and the assembled alumni, trustees an,
former students proceeded to the academy wher
the spacious hall was found to be TRANSFORMS,
beyond the recognition of all familiar with tn
old hall, tables being spread throughout the room
upon which we're placed splendid bill of fare
The company waited upon by fair hands
and did ample justice to the feast spread befor
them.
After the appetites were appeased, an intelleC
tual bill of fare was commenced upon which wa
a treat to all present. Professor Richardson acte
as master of ceremonies, and introduced D
Spauding the worthy Principal, to respond to til
TOAST OF lDt futntr. Ut. spawning renealset
to the enjoyment of all present, many of the tt
ais which beset him in the opening of his career
principal of Barre Academy. 1t had ever been hi
ambition to establish permanent institution
learning in Barre. He believed that the nves
ment which had been made here had paid, an
that the people of Barre had received back tie
cents to every one they had expended in the la
twenty five years. He pointed out many of ii
good results that followed the establishment
the academy here, and said he should be Statistic
when called to depart this life II the academy Wa
1 put upon sure and permanent financial basis.
To the toast of " Bakersfield" Colonel II
Hopkins, of Montpelier, was introduced as a " hal
, brother "-one of the old students under
Spaulding at Bakersfield. The Colonel recitI
with much feeling and in eloquent words, maj
of the scenes of his school days which crowd,
# upon his memory ON an occasion like this. /
5 paid fitting tribute to the life and teachings
, DR. Spaulding, all of which touched response
d chord in the hearts of all present. He also
}, ferred to the orator of the day in witty way,
a teacher in IA town lying west of Ripton
!: Addison county"
d MI. q. H. Beckett, of Williamstown, one of d
e members of the senior class was then introduce
e rs one of the boys" who responded In "a We
i graceful speech, full Of gratitude to the all
mater, and illusions to the school-days now dra
l. ing to a close, The male quartette then appear
r, and sang selection with much acceptance
l. Hon F, q. Clark, Of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, W
d then called upon, and responded with the b,
d speech of the day Mr. Clark was a member
'r the class of 81, aud one of the brightest you
ir men belonging to the academy alumni, lie h