The Portland daily press., 1879-01-13
EX-PRESIDENT WOODS,
Mayor Buffers EnIo2y Delivered Mt the
Bowd0in Alumni Dinner.

In the course of his spaech at the Bowdoin
Alumni dinner, at the Falmouth Hotel, Friday
evening, Mayor Butler paid the following just
and graceful tribute to the memory of the late
ex-Presdent Woods.
Our honored guest, the present distinguished
head of the College, has adverted in fitting
President Woods As one Of the older gradu-
ates. L cannot refrain, before taking my seaG
from attempting to pay, in few brief words, a
tribute of respect to the memory of that truly
great and good man, the gentle instructor, the
ripe scholar, the true gentleman, who combp-
ed with rare learning the greatest amiabllity
and simplicity of character and kindness OF
heart. When 1 first entered college President
Woods was in the prime of life, just returned
from his visit to Europe in the early years of
his presidency. L recall now his courteous and
c0urtly manners, his benignant cOuptenance
and pleasant smile; and well do 1 remember
his afablity and genuine politeness, shown all
the same to the humble, awkward freshman as
to the highest dignitary of the land. His
teachings and Influence tended to Inspire those
whose privilege it was to enjoy his instruction
with fine sense of honor and manliness, to
elevate their ideas of scholarship, to impel them
to walk on higher plane of eade.vor; in fine,
to lead them TO become hgh-minded, high
toned. cultivated gentlemen, in the truest sense
of that much abused word.
Great was his popularity in my day. He was
ever held in affectionate regard by the students
Never did hear a word of disrespect uttered to
or Of him, nor do believe tina. single act was
committed by any student, even in the lightest
moods of youthful thoughtfulness, calculated
to annoy or wound his feelings.
And cen his falllngs leaned to virtues
side" His reverence of antiquity. his tend en-
ness of regard for the past, his med % valism
as some, perhaps, would term it, to me, at
least, added charm to his character. His
great learning and broad culture led him to
perceive, appreciate and emphasize, what is
not so obvious to the multitude, the vast in
debtment OF modern society to the times gone
by. While 1t is important tina t the reckoning
hand Of the future should qu cken our foot
steps, it is equally importanG that the restrain
ing voice OF the past should slacken our pace.
The hope that lures onward needs to be
me lowed and softened by the memory that
turns backward
Therefore, it is well thai ia this busy,
busting. stirring age and country of ours
there should be class of men whose habits,
thoughts aud studies link them to what has
gone before. Such place President Woods
occupied and worthily and usefully occupied.
quote with pleasure the closing words of an
apprecatiVe notice of his life and character,
which met with to-day:
"In an age not given to reverence, he in-
stilled the spirit of this virtue into multitudes
OF minds. He taught them to respect the past 4,
to do justice to men of divers opinions to
honor loyalty, to value art as means of
spiritual culture, and to prza truth and
beauty AMI goodness above all material gains
and ends.'
Peace be to his ashes Let the fresh ever
green that covers his new made wintry grave
be mathematical of the lasting rene nbrance in
which he will be held by his grateful pupils
scattered throughout the length and br eadth of
tha land