National Republican., 1880-05-29
HoWARD UNIVERSITY.
TrIennlai Address Before tho college Alumni

Triennial Address Before tho College Alumni
Notwithstanding the rain large and highly
intelligent audience assembled in tho college
chapel of Howard university to listen TO the
tricnnial address Of Professor James NJ. Grog-
ory before the college alumni. whose subject
was "Our Alma Mater; Her History, Character
and Prospects" On tho platform sat Rev W.
w. Patton, ID. d.. president Of the university,
and Principal +, J. Shadd president Of the
alumni association. OF the alumni present
were c. n. Otcy, II. l.. Mitchell, II. II. Otey,
II. +. Moss, Rev. s. p. Smith, Wiley Lane, G.
II. Combs, L. o. Posey J. II. Howard and W.
g. Scars. OF tho trustees present were Hon.
T. L. Tullock, General G.. w. Balloch aud Pro.
fessor Zalmon Richards.
President Patton opened tho meeting with
prayer, after which Miss Sallo Wall enter
tanned the audience with n vocal solo, bcauti-
fully rendered. Mr.. Shadd, as president of
the association, made few happy introduce
tory remarks, and then introduced tho orator
of the evening, Professor James NJ. Gregory.
The speaker congratulated tho alumni
that their number remained unbrokcn since
the last trennial meeting. lie went on to
show 10y reference to Obrrlin the necessity of
an institution of the character and extent of
Howard university. After meutioninga {, W
facts in connection with the foundation and
carly history of tho institution, he proceeded
to show The two essential ideas on which the
faculty and students, and its possible national
character. He discussed what it Is that gives
character to an institution, referring to the
curriculum, the corps OF instructors the sys.
tenn of examinations, and maintained at great
length that however important, other essentials
are, 1t is the graduates who give character TO a
college. lie referred TO the illustrious ex-
amples Of Cambridge, in England, Harvard,
Yale and Dartmouth. He next spoke of the
prospects of tho university, stating that IL
holds its buildings and grounds without en-
cumbrauce; that it will be abo to
meet its current expenses for this year,
and that tho university had received the ma
| tional Endorsement of the last congress by the
appropriation of $4,000. lie said tho needs
of tho university were cndowments for pro-
fessorships, for library aud cabinet purposes,
tor philosophical apparatus and scholarships,
emphasizing the fact that the most pressing
need OF the institution is scholarships. In
graphic manner he presented tho scholarship
system OF Harvard and most of the great COL
lcges, and claimed that scholarships ought not
to be regarded as charity, bat as q reward
of merit, lie stated that the authorities are
using every excrtion to secure endOwments,
and that Rev. ii. Nj. Brown, now in Scotland,
Is engaged in raising mears to establish
John Knox scholarship fund" for the
college department. He said that the
university had 10 need TO bo dis.
couraged that her experience in
raising cndowmons is the same rs that of
other colleges. Want of space will not per-
nit us further to refer to this most able ad.
dress. In conclusion he called upon the
alumni and trustees to have faith, that q gem
erous public ard friends would appreciate their
situation and come TO their rescue. At the
close of the address Mr.. C.. N. Otey moved a
vote Of thanks to Professor Gregory for his
able and instructive address. President Pat
ton gave notice OF the exercises Of commence
ment week. after which the bcnediction was
pronounced by Rev. S. p. Smith.