The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-06-21

Saturday last was a most notable day
at Delaware College. Notable from the
fact of iS being the first time in the his
tory of the college of the celebration Of
class day. The exercises as carried out
by the class of 'S4, were exceedingly in
teresting. A large audience manifested
its appreciation by frequent and hearty
applause. The music under the direction
of Prof. Richie was well received.
Mr. Alfred b. McVey was the chosen
master of ceremonies, and right well did
he perform his part. Below is an extract
of his speech.
Ladies' and Gentlemen years
have passed since Delaware College was
first organized. She arose, had her pro-
gress and fell; not to be kept down, she
had q reorganization. Since that time
she has continued to prosper. In order
to extend her influence, increase her
prosperity and unite more firmly, il pos
bic, the hearts of her students have we,
the class of 'S4, invited you to the FIRST
class-day exercises ever held in this build
ing. Classes of 'S5, 'S6, and '87, we
welcome you, hoping you will enjoy our
exercises, and when your time draws to
close, Us does the class of '84, you, TOO,
will celebrate this day. Ladies' and gen
tlemen, we welcome your presence with
us to-day as friends, feeling confident on
this, as on all former occasions, of your
warmest sympathies and your kindliest
criticisms. If our exercises do not meet
your expectations, we hope you will par
don all imperGections, as we have not had
the advantages gained from the expert
ence Of our predecessors.
sir. Harvey W. Ewing came first,
and his speech was intermingled with
funny Incidents, it being the chronicles of
the class of 'S4. Below is brief of his
remarks:
Fellow .classmates-Th duties which
you have imposed upon me are arduous.
The history of this class although itmay
be, by some, deemed unimpOrlant now,
and no doubt will not be fully appre-
ciated, yet after the lapse Of years, when
the influence of "a shall be no longer felt
within the chassiC halls of our Alma
Mater, but when the wide avenues of
business, literature, science and The arts
shall have been caused to throb with the
pulsations of a renewed life on account
of the infusion of 50 much metal among
them; then we trust those who hear us
to-day may remember that this invigor-
ating influence was in a great measure
the iesult of the labor of the class OF 'S4.
. M, ~ 1.fgfpVian 10 lnlipntn in
the extreme. To give the history OF oil
the events of these illustrious four years
would require more graphic pen than
mine; and while perhaps not bringing the
blush of shame upon the cheek of any OF
us, would place the members III posi-
ton which, to say the least, would be
amusing We numbered in $780, nine
teen,-probably the largest class that has
entered Delaware College since the re-
organization. We come from the foul
corners of the earth. One from the lit.
tie State of Rhode Island; another from
the sunny valley of the Golden State
where the Pacific rolls its peaceful
waters; four from the Quaker settlement
of Pennsylvania; two from Maryland; ont
from New Jersey while twelve hail from
the lower counties on the Delaware
Those who left lis during the course Were
in all ten; one having graduated with tho
class of '63. We have had three aces
siOns during the course. which now MAKE
our number eleven. 1t was an eventfu
day in the history of our lives, aud al
important one in that of Delaware Col
loge when the class of "a arrived witt
all the Importance Of self-assurance o
half hedgcd birds just leaving the parent
al most to ascertain something of the lor'
of other birds. The first few days wert
misty in the extreme The expanse o
brick and mortar, the venerable appear
ance of the pile, the self-contdent lool
of the Sophmorcs, the wait-awhile-lool
of the Juniors, the dignified tread of tn,
Senior, as he passed us with hopefu
|, smile on his face on his way to argue til,
weighty questions of philosophy or math
ematics with by.gone philosophers; anC
above all, the wonderful superiority o
the professors impressed MS possessing
, over all other beings whom we had ye
beheld. We seemed to be translated t,
some ethereal sphere where VIC seemed
, pigmies in comparison with those yrea
and sturdy giants who continually strut
ted across our path. At this point Mr.
Ewing related some very laughable in
stances of hazing, and the fondness o
; the class of 's4 for grapes, etc. 1t /
= needless for me to say that the class liza
been very active in promoting the wei
; fare of the College-trying to bring he
u into the customs of similar Institution
of learning. Such a thing as class-da,
was never before heard of in Delawar
College. This is the initial step, and hoy
: far it has or may prove n success, lie
with those who hear us to determine
! There never has before been an attempt a
publishing College paper, if we excep
$ little sheet which was published som
g years ago, called the College Ad0dnct
We have now good paper, recognize
among other College journals as dom
~ credit to our students, to the Colleg
p and to the profession of College journal
= ism. The viewing of other customs ha
been due 10 the exertions of 'S4, and W
lie trust those who may come after us ma
S not fail to see that they are carried on
II from year to year. Now fcllowclassme
y trust that when again we reassembl
as n class to recount to one another gu
', experience in this great drama of life
and it must not be long-we may each b
to living witnesses of how earnestly an
faithfully we have discharged the dutiC
of life, and how our fellow-men have bee
=, rnnln he tier hY eXnmnle.