National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-07
HIS OLD CLASSMATES,
An Interesting Occasion mt the White
House.

Immediately after the review last FRI
day President Garfield received the Washington
hllIams college Association, with visiting alumni
at the Executive Mansion. The venerable Dr.
Mark Hopkins, ex-president of Williams College
was leader and spokesman of the association. Dr.
hopkins stood near the central window, on the
south side of the East Room, surrounded by the
alumni, as President Garfield advanced from the
inner corridor TO greet him. President Garfield"
was all the patriarch could say. "If lam in any
sense your President you are much more nv Presi-
dent This greeting was returned with an affec-
uonate hand-shake. Dr. Hopkins then formally
congratulated the President first for himself per-
sohally, then for the alumni, in a speech of
Characteristic eloquence. DR.. Hopkins congratu-
iated himself on being the only college president
VINO had seen one of his students attain to
the presidency of the United States. He spoke of
the interest and pride with which he
had watched General Garfeld's career
ever since he had left his alma mater.
he spoke of the sympathy and interest with which
the alumni looked upon his coming administra-
ton, and Of the personal honor put upon them by
the Generals exaltatiOn, "and for this exalta-
ton We render thanks to God Almighty"
was pronounced with such depth of low
ing Solemnity that tears fstood unbidden in
| every eye. General Garfield then replied in
speech OF much beauty and feeling. He
greeted DR.. Hopkins his intellectual father and
the tall bright peak Illuminated with spiritual re-
fulgence by whose light he had walked now these
many years. He continued by expressing his in
debtedness TO the college and his pleasure On re-
ceiving their congratulations. Her alumni were
then presented to President and Mrs Garfield and
Mrs Colonel Rockwell. There were present Su-
preme Judge Dewey, of Massachusetts; Hon. ].
White, of Massachusetts,; Charles A. Dawson, of
New York city; James A. Briggs of New York city ::
Judge Mott United States Court of Claims; Hon.
Ferris Jacobs, Representative Twenty first Dis
trict of New York; United States Treasurer Gil
fllan; Colonel a. F. Rockwell United States Quar-
termaster's Department. Colonel A. Hopkins, Clerk
/ Court of Claims; L. U. CaIkins, of Springfield
Massachusetts; Rev. J. G. Ames Washington, d. c.;
J. II. Doughty, MatteWan, New York; Rev. W. L.
Hayden, Washington, Pa; General H. n.
Eldridge of Chicago; Colonel D. N. Evans
Philadelphia Mint; J. E. Fay, Chicago; S. P
Hubbell, Champlain, n. Y; Fl. E. Knox, New
York city; R. J. Mitchell Washington; John Pin
gree, Auburn, y. Y; Lieutenant Colonel
II. Root, Whitehall, n. Y; Professor
Frank Slichard, Rev. Z. C. Smith, Phila-
delphia; Hon. J. T. Steadman, Iowa; Hon.
Samuel Williams, Philadelphia Professor L. VIII
son, DR.. G. Yeomans, Philadelphia; C. ". Ales-
| bee, Michigan; J. N. KillitS. Iowa; Orrin Day,
Katski \. Y; J. B. Taylor, J. s. Pober, W. B. Rob-
erts, ]. B. 7. Upper, E B. Taylor, L. Sargent and
R. T. Jones' of Washington, and others whose
names were not obtained. Some of the association
were accompanied by ladies. Senator Blaine was
present, and was introduced to the association.
Seventeen of the visiting alumni were General
Garfeld's classmates ofthe class Of 1885,