The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-11
Observation-Disclosures
Eass-Day Exercises and Alumni Meet
ing at the State University.
Address by President Jordan-The Closing
Day at Wabash-Exercises at Franklin
and at the Illinois University.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY.


Ciass-Day Exercises and Alumni Meeting
The Presidents Address.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind, July 10-The class-day
exercise Of the senior class. which began sharply
at 2 p. NJ, June g. was largely attended, not a
vacant seat being left. From its character, it is
the most popular occurrence of commencement
week This year it was made especially attract
I've. The class history, which was prepared
aud read by J. G. Batman; was highly credit
able effort. and was received with liberal
applause. e. C. Fitch, one of the leading
tors OF the university, delivered thoughtful
Grafton on 'The Literature of the Mississippi
Valley z. E. Griffith read an account of the
senior tramp to Brown county. Mr.. j. Edw.
Wiley read an excellent poem, and j. W. Carr
brought down the house by happy hits in ga
Discourse on the Faculty" "The Prophecy" as
prepared by Miss Mabel Banta, replete with
sarcasJn and wit, and contributed largely to the
entertainment of the assembly. The humorous
songs prepared and rendered by the class were
not the least pleasing feature of the performance
Hon Hugh D. McMullen, of Aurora, delivered
the annual address to the alumni on Tuesday
evening, and on account of the highly favorable
weather, a large audience listened to his dis
course. His subject was the Relation of His
tory TO Education" The speaker began by il
Illustrating that education consists in the develop
ment and broadening of the powers. Music
poetry aud literature in general, come to in
their perfect forms only when directed by the
guidance of educational influences, and, in all
the secular affairs of life, in all its relations
education in its true sense means the highest
development Of the individual. We become
blinded in the worship of mammon, and too
often lose sight of the higher attributes of the
events, of the rise and fall of nations,
the vicissitudes Of war;. the changes
wrought in men and nations by time. Whatever
of truth is written of human experience is his
tory. History is invaluable as study, from
the discipline it gives to the mental powers.
The classics strengthen the memory, but history
is attended by all the advantages of the classics
and as study has refreshing interest. The
consideration of causes and events and Of their
logical sequences cannot fail 10 give to the in
quiring mind a strong and heathful impetus in
the direction of truth The information cleaned
from historical characters and incidents gives
the individual deep insight into human nature.
The mathematician, being restricted to an exact
science does not develop his insight into nature
by reason of his study. The historian has to do
intimately with men. Their virtues, their
transgressions, their victories, are subjects for
his study and his meditation.
It is invaluable from the command of language
it will give to the individual The student of
some branches can escape often, when Ques-
toned, by monosyllabic answers But the stu
dent Of history must be full of his theme, and
havs mis- own language with which to frame his
answers To the orator, the writer, the converse
tionaist the information which knowledge of
history secures is indispensable. For the same
reason 1t is valuable portion of literature. The
fact that youth is the most favorable time for
the acquisition of knowledge, since the mind re-
taius facts gained in youth most tenaciously,
makes this study of prime Importance in our
schools and universities History is valuable for
its lessons. 1t reveals the relative position of
man TO the past. 1t is wisdom we want, and the
experiences of the past, faithfully studied, afford
the best foundations for future operations. The
youth should have the history of his race, his
ancestors, and his nation before him. By testing
theories, systems Of religion and politics. in the
Light Of history, correct conclusions may be ar
rived at.
1t excites noble aims in life and tends to make
the student philanthropic, and diverts him from
the craze for wealth. 1t cultivates taste for
good reading as opposed to the vicious litera-
ture Of the age. 1t brings to us all the attrac-
tions Of antiquity 1t adds to our responsibility
and dignity to have fund of historical informa-
ton. In travelling, to associate events with
objects adds peculiar charm.
The speaker submitted his thoughts to the
consideration of the university alumni. and
urged their Importance to the faculty and stu
dents. His effort was spoken Of in compliment
tary terms by all who heard it
COMFORTING THE DEGREES
At A. NJ. the college chapel was filed with
bright and appreciative audience, assembled to
hear the orations and observe the confering Of
degrees upon the twenty-six members of the
ba 5otfn o4oJ ell
lowing array of talent and requirement awaiting
the forsaal honors of the university:
Candidates for Bachelor Degrees Bachelors of
Arts: Charles F. Balm, Mabel Banta, John w.
Carr, Phillmer Day, Elmer E. Griffith, Martin l..
Hoffman, Mary E. Long, William G. Mason, j.
Zwingle A McCaughan. Lucan r. Cakes, Kate
Pearson. James NJ. Phputt, Robert E. Scott,
WOODBURY. Bachelors of Letters: Ira c. Bat
man, Minnie B. Bryan. Morey M. Dunlap Ed
ward G. Fitch, Susan l. McCaugnan, Dora B.
Merrifeld, Martha E. Wilson. Bachelors of
Science Rufus L. Green, Wesley w. Norman,
William H. Rucker.
Candidates for Advanced Degrees upon Exam
ination and Thess-Masters of Arts: James
Kirkwood Beck, A b. Indiana University, 1874;
1873; James Albert woodburn. A. B., Indiana
University. 1876. Masters of Science: Joseph p.
Naylor, University of Ohio; Samuel Edwin
Smith. b. L.. Indiana University, 1882, M. D..
Indiana University, 1883 Doctor of Philosophy:
Joseph Casper Branner, A. B., Cornell Univer-
sty. 1874
Honorary Degrees--Doctor of Laws: Thomas
b. Harvey, M. d., Medical College of Ohio;
James f. Hibberd, NJ D., Columbia College,
NY.
The invocation was by Prof. Ballantne, late
acting president of the university, and for many
years professor of Greek. The graduating class
appeared mature and self-possessed, there being
in the titles or treatment of their essays and
orations little of the ordinary air of the scholar
at nineteen. The average age of the class is
over twenty four; many of them have been
teachers or preachers. some editors, or engaged
IN business. Several of them have already Sc
cured positions as teachers, Or have their future
course determined All spoke well, and the in
dividuality was well marked there was little