Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-06-29

Celebration of the Associnte Alumni,
The celebration of the Associate Alumni
took place Tuesday forenoon, and was
one Of the pleasantest and most successful
occasions OF the kind ~ the history Of the
University
The procession of Alumni, Faculty and
Corporation formed at the University at
1890 a. NJ. under the efficient marshalship
Of c. j. Alger. Esq, and marched to the
College Street church, the Sherman Band
furnishing the excellent marching music.
At the church, the Association was called
to order by Judge VIM. q. Shaw, President
of the Associate Alumni.
After music by tho orchestra. prayer was
offered by Rev. j. Isham Bliss, chaplain of
the occasion.
The Grafton was by Hon. Robert $.
Hale. Of Elizabethtown. n. Y.
JUDGE HAIE's GRAFTON,
The orator discussed the conflict between conSer
vatism and rsdicalism. The conflict between the
OLD and new goes back to the earliest records. In
all history We see two opposing forces-one holding
to the order Of things that hath been, the other
impellng towards the new and untried good that is
to be. The record, in human history, begins with
the conflict in the Garden Of Eden between the
declaration to the first pair, that they tasted of the
tree o. knowledge o, good and evil they ,hou die,
and the promise that they should not die; but be
gods, knOwing good and evil. II can not be said
of these tendencies that either is bsoutey good or
absolutely evil; Each is necessary AS check upon
the other. To these opposing influence English
tongue gives the names OF conservatism and radi
calism. These tendences everywhere in conflict,
in Church, in state. in Politics, Physics Medicine
ture eyeryth As an example OF the best class
Of modern radicals, Mr.. Hale mentioned Charles
kingsley; and OF thorough and high minded CON
sentative, the late Tayer Lewis.
Considering the relations OF conservatism and
radcalism TO the state and Politics the orator alu
lied to the remark Of Edmund Burke that the States
man should propose not faultlesS system; but the
best attainable, and the reply OF Scion, who, when
asked II he had given Athens thu best laws, said
Tie best they can bear" Not every apparent de
feet must he at once reformed. Reform that GU.
the sentiment character, and endurance Of the
community, becomes harmful. Radicalism too Of
ten ovcrlooks this. Public and private virtue are
promoted by leaving much tothe private COLI
science. Too much legislation is the iault o. tree
governments. Examples Of the pernicious effects of
the extreme radicaisn were noted In the unsurcess
full revolutions in English and French history. Tie
English revolution Of 1859 and the American rcvolu
ton successful because they did not atiemptt To-
erect iaultleSs system but IL secure the best at
Inc SUBJECT opens living lfictCtl tut>-
tons for scholars to whom il committed the prob
lem of our national lite, and who shape its laws
and customs. Our government has already under
gone great changes. Other changes ARE proposed,
and though some changes OF form. II Is To be
remembered that IN matters OF government thr
form is vital
Your State Of Vermont, said the orator, offer,
most orcble illustration of the truth that there Is
No such thing as II liked type of government app /
cable To all times aud to all peoples. For n CEN
tury our state has existed. under a form OF gov
FfFFNan Fltt= htF
cratic known to modern history Autonomy of the
town. 10y vote OF all male citizens Of lnwiul nee
representation in on branch of tn" Legislature hy
towns without regard To wealth or population AMI
in the other by upportionucu on population solely,
election of every legislator and officer. executive,
administrative tr judicial by annual OF biennial
elections, your courts composed OF Judges elected
Tor QUE year OF two. and liable to oNrTturn with
every change Unpopular caprice. Th"or-tieallyii
Is difficult I" Imagine nor" irail aud dangerous
orgaDikuiiuu. In community Nk" the city OF
New York, II would he Il rup" at sand. But with
YOU it has proved equal to all emergencies. I'M
m"-t alarming feature short terms "i judicial
office, making The courts subject I" the popular
will-ynu have made ii, a practically conservative
government, and hay" gwen your courts - chara,
ter of stability aud prrmanencr rarely surpas-ed
THIS j. the result solely of the intelligent and con
SENTATIVE character uf the people OF Nrrnout,
trained 10y such men ns the thipmHnN, E"hin'"ns,
Chitt"udens. lichenors aud Smiths, among the
founders of the state; and 10y such men 81, Phelps
ircmriss and raite. Williams. Royce, Redheld
Mattocks, Horace Everett, and Others in the
last generation by II. teachers, It's clergy,
its sCh"o's amt colleges Few other
communities can he found, that could
have ma ntaned Tor n century mn honest and frugal
administration Of tho government. with due pro
trction 10 public and private rights. under Con
stitutiOn containing much Inherent weakness.
That you have done II, is the highest pCsshe los
tiinouy To the character Of yOur people.
Judge Hale proceeded 10 consider the form, oi
our national government; the limited powers OF
Congress, the reserved rights vi the States, and
the entertainments on the lat or msde hrst IN the
Interest u: slavery IN the fugitive slave law suse
Iuently by the stretching OF the powers Oi the Re
ieral government during our civil WAT The abe IL
tiJn of slavery was n wise and Just act. Tut the |
granting Ia the general government power 10 Gu |
force II by legislation. vas departure from the
principle OF the cuns ttutOn. which lett such mat
ters Of Internal policy to the States. To these and
other questions of goyernmept, the "ratoF urged |
his hearers To give careful thought and study.
Al stand here to day, said jude Halo IN clos |
ing my memory yoos back thirty five years I" the !
day when, with my class | went forth rom this |
University and It's teachings To take my lot N The
strug sles and trails aud temptations of life,
A Thousand associations, mrthlul, tender, pleas
Ing. mulTniul cluster round the memory ul my |
life within these college walls But first and |
foremost among them to-day stanu tho forms and |
iices OF my Instructors of thu lew years aud the
memory of their teachings
President Wheeler. graceful accomplished cl"-
,luent, with enough oi the scholar and the thoo
Logan To give him high rank in the pulpit and on
the platform. with enough OF the man oi the world
and Of affairs 10 make him most successful nd
Of the financial affairs oi the college
with enough Of tact and sympathy and knowledge
Of human nature 10 give him marvellous control 81
u body Of rpl,ese s'udsnts.-alas, in those DAY
fear too often rude and turbulent AMI nsuhotd-
nate; doubtless the case is different now Positive
in his convictions, and direct and fearless III her