New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-20
WORDS OF CHEER FOR BROWN
ANNUAL DINNER OF NETWORK ALUMNI
SPEECHES by GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS. DIR. ROB-
IysoN AND PROFESSOR LINCOLN.

oled with the snappng TIGER OF the Brown University
cheer at Demonico's last evening Nearly hundred
alumni of that classic old New-Engand university,
which furnishes the happy geographical between
the extremes of Yale and Harvard sat down TO the
nual dinner OF the New-York association. Old class
met to discuss college days and college ways as
they were before the food OF "optiOnals" submerged
the college world. Between times they told one another
those venerable stories that date befOe the war" and
renewed their youth. The young graduates supported
their title OF alumni with all due dgnity-in the early
part OF the evcningand rchearsed the college cheer
with untring diligence ana explosive energy IN the lat
ter part
General Thomas president of the club. presided,
with President Robinson, of Brown University, on his
rights George William Curtis his left. The others
ct the raised table Professor John l.. Lincoln, the
Rev. Dr. Geogre p. Fisher OF Yae the Row DR.. James
o. MIrray, OF Princeton; the Rev. Dr. James r. Ken
drlck president OF Vassar College, the Rev. Dr. George
Dana Boardman. president OF the Philadelphia AssCcia-
ton OF Brown alumni; Professor r. H. Thurston, OF
Cornell; William W. Hoppin, tr.. Roswell Smith, .. f.
Bright, Lucius Lyon, the Rev. Mr.. Bachelor and r. NJ
Che,ey. All OF these gentlemen graduates of Brown
University Among others present were Charles W.
stead, j. Edward Summons, president OF the Stock EX
change; Franklin Burlge. William l.. stone, Colonel
Vanderbilt Allen, Moses Lyman, II. p. Mer-
ram, Thomas ID. Robinson, Duncan Smith,
William II. Williams IL X. Porter, DIR. A. b.
Judson, the Rev. Harris r.. Greene Francis Lawon. r
j. b. Bishop, Frank Bliss. DR.. Charles Hitchcock
Joseph p. Earle, Arthur Lucien, Lincoln G. CAailin
Richard s. Rowland, Nathaniel S. Smith, Dr. j. L. Lyon
George W. Carr. Benjamin Barker IT.. NJ NJ Rowland
James May Duane, Samuel II. Ordway and Albert Gal
lup, jr.
Letters of regret were received from Governor Wet
MORE of Rhode Island; Colonel John Hay, General J.
Meredith Read, the Rev Lucius Bancroft, Professor
Francis Wayland. the Hon. Edward J." Picrce, the
Hon Z. b. stoidard. the Hon. Horauo Gates
Jones, the Rev. DR.. Alfred p PutuaIh the Rev. Dr..
James b. Simmons, the Hon. John Winslow. Prcsi-
dent Angel. of the University of Michigan Benjamin
f. Tburston Judge Charles Bradley. Professor william
Gammen the Rev. Dr. Reuben A. Guild, Professor =. B.
Andrews of Providence; Colonel Ethan Allen and DR..
Charles II. Phelps.
General Thomas Ewing opened the experimenting
with an address which made made all tbs Brown men
feel proud OF themselves and their university but
trine sorry favored who had imbibed their
learning at other universities and colleges. He de-
lighted 20 find that Brown alumni associations were
sprnginE up In the leading cities al over tho country
IL was source enJ to him to forget all
the rush and worry OF metropolitan life, and devote
few recalling old Brown days wLer" no busl-
ness obtrudcd to mar the pursuit o:knOwledgo.
The venerable President Robinson spoke next and
bowed his head beneath the storm OF applause
which greeted him. When the storm had passed he
saidi
We are not revolutionist at Brown. We believe in
the changes suggested by experience II Il not true that
Brown has introduced broad system OF electives. but
had elective studies for ten years We insist on
certain studies ana as the student advances We insist
also that he snail be allowed To- pursue such studies 80 lie
shows special aptiiud7 Tor Nehave been hu9n nuseu
relation of religion TO the curriculum We believe IN
the Christian re- giOn as yet IN brown University ZAP
plause We have yet come 10 the conclusion that
we shall gain anything by going back TO Plato or SOcra
tes but Brown has never become sectarian college
is without doubt the most catholic college IN tue Chtcd
States. Its charter provides d" Tor all time tuat
student. Tho man who In Brown attempts
teach the principles Of any sect forets his place But
should be gnided that they should never lose the
spirit of reverence: We purpose to pursue
illogical use that can be male Of them We want truth
That Is first thing; truth can lake care Of itself
everyw Let cultivate truh-the spirit OF rev
for truth, for God for law Tor recutude Ior
character.
Professor j. L Lincoln. tho most popular member Of
tho faculty whom Brown ever had. was the ncRt
speaker and was received with tho Wild
est enthusiasm. The good old man made
a delightfully."- characteristic speech. which showed In
every the regard that lac has for tho old
university which has served faithfully for fy
years lie made plea for literary and classic studies.
which he feared being too much showed aside by
scientific courses.
George william Curtis. expresdent Of tho nssocla-
ton. greeted with rousing cheers lie said among
other things:
As knew that had only speech to make tonight.
felt that this would be to me the most delightful din
ner had ever eaten WIN me cup. ieei very much
like Charles the tifth AFTER ms retirement LOOKING upon
the activity OF his successor. Ind myself tonight
IN a situation that never anticipated. Whatever
my ambitions. | never expected to md myself IN tho
august society OF prcsdrnts and after the ample
dinner spread before me tonight, no one can say that
ample provision has not been made for my support
ughter.l Now, gentlemen, In regard to the In
terests or learning, which supposed should not be
altogether excluded from our discussion tonight.
SEQ that the president OF Rochester Unit
verrity has been saying some pleasant
things about small colleges. Now, graduate,
OF Brown know nothing expermcntaly about small col
v.rd Tamrhtep Even Harvard the target OF ali the
collegiate sharpshOolers; Harvard, whatever her sins
against Greek and Latin Il entitled to some cousdora
ton mother OF many statesmen aud schOIars.
In speaking of Brown let quote the poet ovid with
this Tree Interpretation;
0 tell the truth, mother Brown
Of ali cO GO he cT,,Nu