Morning journal and courier., 1883-06-28

they were in President Days time when (great applause and laughter) they broke l. 800 panes of glass in one year. There is more order and sobriety than there were. I rejoice to- say that under my dear friend, President Porter, Yale has been greatly advancing, and before he drops the reins or leaves his place. trust that it's advancement will be greater than at any time before. He hoped Yale would grow in grace as it had been doing.
 Prof. T. A. Thacher was called upon for 8
 word, especially as it had been five years since. on account of impaired health, he had spoken at an alumni meeting He was greet ed with warm welcome. He referred in a
 graceful speech to the work of the earnest teacher and it's compensations to the fact that upon each succeeding class the profes-
 sors left some of their impress then victo-
 ries made their life longer and better.
 Senator Bayard was called up and greeted
 with prolonged applause. Senator Bayard
 saIuted the alumni as his brethren by virtue
 of the colleges kindness. Yesterday he
 argued against arbitrary power; now he was a victim of that power. President Porter
 was his gracious executioner. He had come to New Haven-to the heart of New Haven,
 which is Yale, hoping to go away little
 wiser than he came MT. Webster once said, 'sThe past at least &s secure" But
 standing in the midst of an unmade speech heaven knows where the future will end
 Laughter. He alluded to his lack of at- taining 8 collegiate degree by his own effort
 He had on that account become more thirsty
 of college associations. He had led the life of an American lawyer, 8 politician and leg islator, striving humbly, but with difficulty, to sustain government of laws in this cou- try. Applause.
 MT. Cornelius Van Sanvoordt responded for the class of '53 in happy and well chosen words.
 The Rev. Mir. Ravens, of '43, said it was the first time he had ever spoken in Alumni Hall, but during the four years he was in college he had never failed to respond when called upon, had never missed a recitation, nor failed when called up. The class of '43 was respon sible for the 1900 panes of glass that had been spoken of. Now there was better order in college and he was glad to hear it. The noble example of the men who were his instructors still followed his class into the world.
 The Hon. Henry c. Robinson, of Hart ford, was called upon to represent the class of '53. He said he would say but one thing of the class. It was proud of any of it's members who achieved success because their success and honor brought honor to Yale. He said that Yale had done itself honor In conferring degree upon the young, elo- quent, self-made Governor Waller. The col iege needs larger Alumni Hall, an extension on the gymnasium and a good beggar. He compared the condition of Yale to that of the man who was so poor that he had to take his wedding journey alone.
 Governor Waller was then called for. He said he had not had the privilege of gradu- ating from any college, but was delighted to be with the alumni of Yale if not of them. He envied them for the learning and disci- pline and distinction that the college gave them. Apart from the compliment that had been paid him he would have and had had s.k-. I. ate of the college. He urged the necessity of educated men going into mercantile and ag- ricultural pursuits instead of the overerowded professions.
 President Porter then announced the vote for members of the corporation and called upon the successful candidate, the Hon. H. B. Harrison, to speak, but he was not present. The president said he would say that while MT. Harrison had been in the office he had been exceedingly faithful.
 The Rev. Mir. Lee then spoke for the class of '5S. He arose in one corner of the room and the president called him to come to the platform, which he proceeded to do, making his way upon the tables. At this agile ath- letic feat there was great applause. He said that Amherst college had published record noting the history of her graduates and re- mark was made that in nearly every case the men turned out about as the professors had and he would only ask the Yale professors to recall their prophecies of the class of '58. His class was in college at pe- riod when the students were not so gentle manly as they were now, and he believed that one cause that had not been spoken of operated to increase this gen. als." His class he'd sent no men to Congress nor had any turned up in any very bad places, but they were loyal to Yale and work ing for her honor. He told the story of Dr. William T. Harris life briefly, from the time when he leftfcollege in his '58's junior year to become an obscure teacher in the West to the time when as the philosopher of Concord he had such influence and power in the world of philosophic thought. He believed that Yale was looked upon by smaller institutions of learning as the examplar of the best kind of instruction end the highest character.
 Judge Peabody, of New York, made few remarks of practical nature. He said he was astounded to learn how meagerly Yale was endowed. The men who were alumni of the college and had received it's benefits should become missionaries in the cause of getting funds for their alma mater, and should impress others with the needs of Yale Energy end effort should not be spared until Yele receives the funds she so much needs
 Mr. F. G. Keator of the class of 80 was the next speaker. He said he had noticed that the hardest lot always fell upon repre- sentatives of the younger classes, who had no great men, and the anecdotes of whose col lege life lacked the spice of age. 'Our great men are all in embyo, but in fifty years e1l other classes will have to share with 80 the honor of having disting uished members. We have learned to appreciate that warm for which Yale is famous, and our efeotion and esteem is widened by the large number that returned to the triennial-9O out of 13O." He said in closing that hearing of the grand achievements of the alumni inspired his class with great courage. His speech was warmly applauded.
 class as being remarkable for scholarship, the veledietorian, Prof. Fl. P. Wright, and the salutatorian, the late MT. W. 0. Wood, having graduated with higher stands than any in the history of the college. His class had many fine scholars, some rich men whose hearts as well as pocketbooks were large as the Sloan laboratory would tes- tify some men who had been purifying pol itics, Editor Parsons of the Register and Colonel James Farnam of New York among them; others were preaching in a quiet way all over the country, and some professors, teachers end other small instructors. His class reverenced Yale for her high standard of manhood, where every man was esteemed if he had good heart and hard head, and for the grand type of manhood they saw in their instructors when they were here. He spoke very feelingly and eloquently of the professors and Presidents WooIsey and Por- ter, and was frequently interrupted with hearty bursts of applause. Yale never could be called poor while she was so rich in the character of her men as she was then and is now.
 The Rev. MT. Van Buren, '73, testified to the warm feelings of his class towards Yale. '73 was in college when President Woolsey gave up his office and President Porter sue. ceeded him. The administrations of these two men have been the most successful of any in Yale's history. He also referred to the success of the college in his year in ath- letics, and added that he felt morally certain Yale would win at New London to- day. This was greeted with deafening1 applause in which all, both old and young sons of Yale, joined.
 The president then called for representa- tives from '63, '43. AS, TT and '78, but as no one responded he bade all farewell and the meeting adjourned at just o'clock. It was most successful and enthusiastic one in every respect, as the warmth of the speakers and the frequency and heartiness of the applause testified. In the course of the meeting President Porter spoke of the custom that had been growing up of having bonfres and noisy demonstrations during commencement week. "It is, as those of you know who read the papers," he said, 'sa M massachusetts, custom, and one that is better honored in the breash than in the ob-