The National tribune., 1886-11-18


result to the country by refusing to support
men who will not render justice to the SOL
diers In every instance there are as candi-
dates men of the highest ability and charac-
ter, who are genuine friends OF the soldier,
and these should be voted for without regard
to party lines until we gain for our comrades
all that is right.
HARvaRD's QUARTER MILLENNIUM.
The 250th celebration of the organization
of the Harvard College is not matter of
merely local interest. Boston and Cambridge
have been all animation for weeks over this
event Literary gentlemen from all parts of
the United States and from Europe have
been drawn together by memories Of the
Oldest university Of this country-a college
older, indeed, than many of the famous uni
versities of Germany.
The anniversary has different voices for
different places and different classes of men.
For us, rs a paper devoted largely TO mill
tary history, incidents and philosophy, the
occasion has suggestions and associations SO
interesting that we cannot forego a word.
Harvard has claim on our country from
a military standpoint That college has
always been famous for its loyalty TO civil
Government, and specially to the Colonial
and Federal laws. 1t has always taught
patriotism as it taught science or theology.
During the Revolution and on through till
the final settlement of our difficulties in
establishing our Republic, it was always at
the service of the Government in heart and
hand
During the rebellion Harvard had no un-
certain sound. The history of the college
from a national point would show our in
debtedness TO it and interest us fully in its
anniversaries. 1t has turned out not only
clergymen, lawyers, etc, but soldiers, and in
many instances heroes.
The college felt the Revolution. Four
teen months of the years IT'S and 1776,
all the buildings of Harvard were used
headquarters of the American army. Sol
diers marched here and there through those
classic halls. The noise of arms resounded
over the campus. AT length the English
were forced TO evacuate Boston, unable lon
ger TO endure Washington's terrible and per-
sistent siege. Thus the college, which had
removed faculty and students to Concord,
was free TO reOccupy the old quarters. There
has been no military disturbance since. 1t
is no wonder Haryard FASTENED to bestOw in
the very year 1776) upon Washington the
degree of doctor of laws, that being the first
time of the conference of that degree by said
college. We read the explanation of Har-
ward for giving to Washington said degree
to wit, as an expression of its gratitude for
the services which he had rendered TO his
country and TO the corporation" meaning the
corporation of the college.
The civil war was thrust on us and
Harvard was true to its national instinct,
developing into military energy. Many an
undergraduate left his class, abandoning a
long-cherished wish TO complete his four
years course, cast aside books for arms, togas
for the blue, classroom for tents, classics for
tactics. Alumni were found in all grades OF
the army. Many a bachelor of arts became
a private. A large number of the most
effective commissioned officers bore diplomas
from old Harvard.
The finest building on the campus is Me-
mortal Hall II was constructed in 1873
The funds necessary were raised by subscrip-
ton among the graduates, who were anxious
10 show their gratitude TO those from Har-
ward who fell on battleields and otherwise
died through service in the civil war;
The poet on undergraduate day, Saturday
Nov. 6, was Mr. Francis S. Palmer, class o.
1887. In his poem are these three lines
which can but touch the hearts of comrades
: everywhere by the stately Hail" o
stanza two the poetmeant the Memorial Hall
He said:
The fair sunshine does not always make bright
Our stream; there was time when war swep
, Ger
The shudd ring land, when face 10 face met Right
[ And Wrong; and then the river onward bore
Its tide Of youth and hope all dark and red
With blood shed by its bravest and its best.
The later Puritan, whose heart regained
Its ancient zeal, opposed his stubborn breast,
And by his side were heroes Of the West.
{ The gided youth were also there 10 show
Good metal lay beneath the outward dross,
And all went forth against the eountrys foe.
: Nor did they heed OF life and limb the loss,
But were the foremost I'm the fierce ARRAY;
; And many died, and dying SO, died we'll.
! And Harvard hon'ring ALL and fain To pay
Her debt Of love 10 those who fought and fell,
> Eas built stately hall her love to tell.
Il While surviving soldiers may well wisl