Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-07-02

lHC aAAlu VI pIsItS WAS lHtH duHouutSu
by Prof. King, as follows:
First prize $50 for best exami nation
Chas. W Drew of this city.
Second prize (S25)-Gustavus c. kilgorc
of Maine.
Prize for best thesis (S25) Charles W
Drew of this city.
Honor Invertebrates ". Drew, Gustavus
c. klgore, Edward T. Kenyon, Warren Z.
Pattison.
Honorable mention was made of the theces
Of 10 II. Linslcy, L. B. Niquet, J. W. Sta
pies and G. c, kilgore.
The presentation of the prizes was hand
somely and happily made by Prof. King ;
and as the recipients went upon the stage
they were warmly applauded.
The valedictory address was then delivered
by John Walter Staples. Opening with a ref
erence to the Engishmans inherent love of
truth, he spoke Of the true man as the high
est development of the race The more
closely nation clings to the truth and fol-
lows it the stronger and more enduring it is.
| do not believe in chance but in action. No
success of the hour, however brilliant can
equal the slow, painstaking working out of
great principle. The speaker then, in be
half of the class, returned their thanks 10 the
President and Faculty for their interest in
them and solicitude for them. Addressing
waiting strength of character and the necessi-
IL Of aiming al high personal and profess
sIonal standard. The profession is crowded,
but there is always room for good man. As
farewell word wish you length of days,
honor and prosperity and a complete gradu-
alton into the kingdom of the great here
after. Applause.
After music by the band the address was
delivered by Prof. 5. W. Thayer, A NJ, NJ.
L., gnl
lows
DE-. THAYEG's ADDRESS.
Nj. President Gentlemen Of the Corporation, Hen-
L,1s Of tie Medical FGeailiy, and Honorable
GGesis:
Ladies' and Gentlemen Twenty seven years ago
| had the honor OF meeting assembly of about
twenty persons in small dusty room with cob-webs
hung 10 address class of six graduates of the
Medical Department of the University OF Vermont
We are Tins evening assembled In this elegant Hail.
beautifully and appropriately decorated and in the
presence Of . large audience, with class OF 50
graduates before The contrast between the
two occasions is great, that Will not attempt a
COMPARISON. notice but one gentleman here who
was present at the closing exercises of the first
Of lectures in the Medical Department Of this
institution after its reorganization in 1854.
To hun the friends of the Medical school are
greatly Indebted for Its existence and advancement
from its small beginning 10 the elevated position II
now occupies We refer 10 the venerable Profess
sor Walter Carpenter. who has faithf lly. unrC-
mittingly and successfully labored 10 promote the
Interest and welfare OF the school and the large
number q students who have listened 10 his prac-
cal teachings.
We are informed that it Is his intention 10 retire
al no distant period, from active work in the char
ne has 81 long occupied with honor and dlstinc-
We congratulate him upon having attained so
high position Ia The ranks of the profession, and
that he has assurance OF the respect and best
wishes Of all who have been associated with him
colleagues and students.
Before entering upon the discourse of the evening,
let take this occasion 10 express behalf Of the
Faculty and friends OF OF the Medical College, our
thanks and obligations 10 Miss Fletcher, for givin.
Us the Mary Fletcher Hospital building unsur-
passed IN the beauty OF its locality and structure
by any similar Institution in the country; and her
wishes have been 50 carried out by the Trustees,
that lis usefulness and convenience to the Medi-
cal Professors, students, and suffering poor can
not he estimated. We would also thank the citi-
zens OF Burlington. who literally contributed
towards the late improvements in the Medical Col
!ege Building.
Gentlemen Of the Graduating Cues:
The exercises Of this evening Will close the
relations heretofore existing between YOUR teach.
ems anu yourselves You have studied diligently
you have received earnest instruction Tn.
latter has not been such az 10 cOnfne YOU
within the Limits Of either OF the department.
Of nature OF 10 any class of remedies, discov
cries observations or experiments made in III,
selection OF remedies Tor practising the art o
curing the sick AID repairing the injured. / con-
graduate you upon the honor conferred upon yoI
.o-day by having presented you the diploma o
me University OF Vermont and State Agriculture
College. II Is for you Certificate of character AMI
a testimonial that you have in the opinion
the age OF manhood and Of dignity that you pos
sess reputation for morality and virtue. and ina
you have fulfilled all the requirements Of his col
lege. II is also your passport to full FELLOWSHIP Will
the members Uf the ANCIENT and honorable prOfes
sion Of medicine and surgery.
Civilization and society are never stationary
They are constantly advancing, and the arts AN
sciences have been the essential factors in thei
progress In every age and In every country tn
head and hand OF the physician have been engaget
in the cultivation aud advancement of all depart
ments of the arts and sciences. In the early DAY
medicine q
ed on mortals by the gods and il was thought tina
by sacrifices, Negotiations and sorcery their ange
might be appeased and death ayerted. Such belief
Still prevail among the Orientals. Their appeals L
their idols diler from the calls upon specific school
among US only in having something tangible t
their senses Time will not permit sketch Of tn
gradual advancement made through successive
ages toward Rational Medicine as practised to-day
Many Of the theories OF early times were absurd We
ingenlous-and some of them with but slight modi
ncations have their votaries to-day, One theor
succeeded another, none based upon anything lik
scientific foundation until the tiu.e Of Boerhave
whose doctrine was that OF nuldlsm; then cam
Cullip with ais doctrine of solidism: then Brown
Of sihenia and astnena; Darwin, Of irritaby an
sympathy; Rush, fihe CONFUSION OF the arterie
and SO on, ad In1nitum. But Harvey and Halle
opened 10 the world a vast storehouse OF maferii
for thought and work, The spirit of inquiry wa
awakened. The alchemists and the Il Dorado
seekers did some incidental good.
Within the last sixty yeers MEDICINE a a scienc
mas made greater ad' ancemenI than for centuries
efcre, particularly in the practical methods for tn
Investigation Of disease The speaker then refel
Ted to the stethoscope, the Ophfhalmascope, III
laryngiscope and the various recent discoverie
and inventions In operative surgery and continued
rhe profession OF medicine is not an aristocracy
The physician cannot with fidelity to his professio
and TO humanity make any distinction in his errand
Of mercy etween the occupants OF palatia res
lences and those who dwell in humble cabins. W
should all strive 10 gain the highest position attain
able we should he prompt to respond 10 the sum
mons Of patient and punctual in our fuhlment &
our engagements. DIR. Thayer then spoke al SON
length ofthe duty Of physician in respect to h
patients 70 ms brothers OF the profession and
public, enforcing the duties OF uprightness, hcno