Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-27

Especial to the Kennebec Journal.
LEWISTON, June 26.
The commencement dinner was served in
Gymnasium Hall at P. NJ. Wednesday.
Three hundred and seventy-fve covers were
laid. 1t was . delightful dinner. The tables
were never before so full. At the head table
sat the following gentlemen: President
Cheney, Gov. Robie, Hon. James G. Blaine.
Mayor Howard, Rev. John Allen, Rev. W i.
H. Bowen, d. D., Judge Williamson of
Starks. Hon. Z. W. Page of New York, Rev.
Dexter Waterman of Dover, N. H., George
Makepeace Towle, the orator of the evening,
Rev. A. H. Heath of New Bedford, Mass,
Rev. II. C. Westwood Of Auburn. W. r.
Goulding, Esq. of Lewiston, Hon. D. B. Hall
of Vermont
At 3.l5 o'clock, President Cheney raped
on the table and the audience came to order.
He said: The honor of the State is the
honor today. will introduce His Excelency
Governor Robie.
Gov. Robie said: Mr.. President and friends,
l am very Happy to be here today. am
aware that this little demonstration which
you have made is not personal in its charac-
ter, but is due to the position that occupy.
congratulate you upon the successful issue
of your exercises today.
The governor spoke of the great and varied
resources of the State and the great future
before it. He referred to the grand work
done by our common schools, our free high
schools and our colleges, and congratulated
Bates upon its noble record. In referring to
the future prosperity of Maine, he spoke of
the passage of the shipping bill, through the
efforts of two distinguished Lewistonians
[Great applause. His Excellency proceeded
to speak of his recent trip through the West,
and of the many Maine men he met there
at was notable fact" said he, ''that with
out regard to political ties, all of them de-
sired the elevation of our Maine statesman
and scholar by the republican nomination for
the presidency" Loud and prolonged sp-
plause.
The governor concluded his address by
commencing to the graduates of Bates the
sentiment OF the epitaph on the tomb of VIM.
II. Seward-"He Was Faithful
Letters from Hon. C. A. Boutelle and F.
II. Wallace were read.
Rev. A. NJ. Heath of New Bedford, Mass. :,
a graduate of the first class at Bates, made
very fine remarks. He was present the day
when DIR. Cheney, then ELDER" Cheney.
blessed the foundation of the corner stone.
We cherish our Alma Mater as she cherishes
us. While some of our larger institutions
may give broader education, do not be-
lieve that there is an alumnus here who re-
grets that he is an alumnus of Bates College.
The speaker made fine allusion to the
presence of Mr.. Blaine. He was the rising
star when came into political conventions
as he is today the rising star. came from
the good old State of Massachusetts. You
have heard it said that the Blaine atmosphere
is decidedly cool. Perhaps it is; but it Is no
new thing that there should be an east wind
in Boston. Laughter. l want you to re-
member that there are currents and counter
currents.
Rev. Mr.. Heath said he felt confident that
Mr.. Blaine would carry Massachusetts.
Rev. W. H. Bowen d. D., Of Middlebury,
Mass, formerly of Lewiston, was called upon.
He said !" Massachusetts has been called q
doubtful State. 1t is a doubtful State. 1t is
doubtful whether it will give Mr.. Blaine
twenty, thirty, or forty thousand majority.
(Cheers and applause.
DIR. Cheney introduced Mr.. Blaine ~ one
who had been trustee of the college for
twenty-five years.
hurricane of applause which lasted several
minutes.
Mr.. Blains's speech.
As soon.-as quietness was restored Mr..
Blaine said:
thank you very sincerely, Mr.. President,
for introducing me to these kind friends slmp-
lv as one of your trustees-for 1t Is only IN
that capacity that am with you to-day, al
49,. IL ~<xSv has
life, my sanguine clerical friends from Mass
achusetts on nv right and left have certainly
made good attempts TO test my capacity for
daughter and applause The
long term Of years to which DIR. Cheney al
luded, have not passed-a single one OF them
without my taking in some form. acuse or
passive,a profound interest in this institution;
and to these young men and women nov 60
ing forth bearing its diploma, wisn 70 say
how it was that my interest was excieu 10
favor of this institution. 1t simply because
Of the tremendous energy and unoying faitn
Of DIR. Cheney in its beginning. lApPiause.
l was then $50 years ago) but "a years OF
age, and co-operated with him IN nomoie
way in securing the first endowment rom the
State of Maine. The result vas worm great
deal more to me than the $l6,O endow ment
was to him, for it taught me the value OF
l don't believe announcer man.
or Q whole regiment of men iaughterJ De
tween the New Hampshire line and the Can
adian border, could have wrung l.500 cents
out of that legislature. lGreat laughter and
applause. But he did it, and he had my SIN
cere and humble help-for l was then
member Of the third branch l was doing
what those young men there (po'ns'og to the
reporters) are doing nov, lLauenter-1
Was reporting yery poor speeches for news