The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-25
MR.. HENDRICKS AT HARVARD.
What the Vice President Said to the Members
Of the Graduating Glass and the Alumni.

BosToN, June 24-At 10 o'clock Governor
Robinson and vice-president Hendricks, and the
other invited guests arrived in the college yard
to attend the Harvard commencement exercises
accompanied by the Lancers. At quarter past
10 the procession, headed by President Eliot, was
formed, and marched to Sanders theatre, where
the exercises were held. Of the 19l members of
the class of 1885, ISL took degrees
Shortly after o'clock, the long line of nearly
900 alumni was formed and marched to Memorial
Hall, where the commencement dinner was en-
joyed. Joseph III. Choate presided Among
those present were President Eliot, James Rus
sell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Governor
Robinson, Vice-president Hendricks, Judge
Hoar and Professor Agassiz.
After dinner President Choate made brief
address of welcome. He concluded by intro
ducing President Eliot, who made short speech.
Vice-president Hendricks was then introduced,
and received an ovation He said:
"Gentlemen-I observe that the Governor of
your State addressed you by the endearing term
in speaking to you. My education
was in a modest college of the
West, upon the banks of one of her most beauti-
ful streams-the Ohio-and all that | would say
OF Harvard College is that her course of study is
thorough. When | found myself here to-day,
could hardly tell how it was. but when the
speech was made to you by the president, /
came TO understand, for he told
you that on yesterday l was at
Yale and made some remarks upon
that occasion. Then and now, | have come to
understand the deep affection that prevails be-
tween the two institutions. Laughter and ap
plause. A man from the West can hardly con-
template this great institution without some
anxiety. Are you aware that every year you
turn out, l believe, nearly one thousand young
men of talent2 for l take it that young
men who scan pass the course of study and the
examinations must have talent, and they do not
al find their employment here in Massachusetts,
Many of them will seek and reach the plains of
West and find pursuits there, and some will
become judges out there, and some physicians,
and some ministers of the gospel and some
politicians [aughterl, and it is matter of great
anxiety to the people of the Western country what
shall be the character of an institution like this.
I find that the sons of Harvard are everywhere,
and when the intellect that is cultivated here
finds its way into the occupations and pursuits
of the West, is it not serious concern that that
intellect educated here, should be educated to
make Western society better and stronger be-
cause Of its presence out there2 Applause
But am very glad to have the pleasure of wit
Messing what l have to day-not of speaking
to you. though l would not refuse, and
you will see why when l tell you
a circumstance of some interest to myself and
of some interest to you. About ten years ago
young gentleman of the State of Indiana came
to Harvard to pursue his studies. He was the
son of q family of talent and enterprise and
here he pursued his studies, and less than ten
years ago the blessing of this institution rested
upon his head. He came to our State,
and, as it is with all young men of talent
and culture that come out there, he was appre-
ciated, and, before he had been back more than
FIVE or six years, he was placed at the head of
the educational institutions of Indiana. He was
placed at the head Of the education of State
of 1000, 900 people by the vote of the people of
Indiana. believe IA, 600 schoolhouses are the
monuments of himself and his predecessors.
Many millions of dollars constitute the funds
which he is to distribute to the
blessing of all our people That was a son of
Harvard, and it was great pleasure to me to
ask him and his young friend the superin-
tendent Of the statistics Of the State, to accom-
pany me in my visit to Yale. He said, Very
well, will come, only wantyou to come over to
Harvard Applause. And this young man is
with me to-day, bringing back again to Harvard
of the State of Indiana. May l say that this is
beautiful illustration not only of the force and
character of Harvard and of Yale-for l will
speak Of both together Applause but it is
an illustration OF the force and character of the
institutions of the country. The young man
that I speak of is Mr.. Holcombe, graduate of
Harvard the superintendent of the school sys-
tenn of the State of Indiana lApplause.l
James Russell Lowell was then introduced.
He began his remarks in humorous strain.
He alluded feelingly to the welcome given him
to-day, and continued by saying that his warm
reception in England was not for him
self, but because he was an American.
The universities received him as an academiclan,
and the worgingmen because he was country
man of Emerson.
A poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes and ad
dresses by Judge Hoar, the Rev. James Free
man Clarke and Prof. Agasslz concluded the ex-
ercises.