Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-09

with Senica's pilot, 30, Neptune, you NAV
save me if you will you may sink me if you
Will, but whatever happens shall keep my
ru5der true"
At the close of Lowell, address . chorus
rendered Besthoven's ''The Heavens proclaim
Him." and the poem OF the day was read by
DR.. Oliver Wsndall Holmes. "a Mighty
Fortress is our God" was then sang by q
chorus. number of honorary degrees was
then conferred by President Eliot, the exer-
clses closing with the benediction by Rev.
! Mr.. Peabody. Members of the Alumui Is
sociation, and invited guests, adjourned to
Memorial hall, here the banquet was spread
After the exercises in Sanders Theatre an d
while the procession was reforming to march
to the banquet hall President and Mrs Cleve-
land visited President and Mrs. Eliot at their
home. The association with invited guests
took up the line TO Memorial Hall, led by the
Cadet band. The banquet hall was soon
reached. The invited guests were the first
to enter and were saluted by a song from the
anniversary chorus.
President Cleveland entered the hall and
walked to his place, learning on the arm of
Judge Devens. The scene presented at the
! opening banquet was one calculated to leave
lasting impression on the memories of those
present. No hall in New England ever held
such an array of distinguished men. The
Presidents table bore long line of faces of
men whose names are household words all
over America and many of them of the civ
ilzed world. 1t was brilliant dinner party,
possibly never again TO be duplicated and
made picture many would have given much
to have had the privilege of Witnessing The
floral decorations, while not extensive were
very tasteful. Music was furnished by the
Cadet band and anniversary chorus. Presi-
| Ill 4
roses and chrysanthemums with Secretary
Bayard on his right and Gov. Robinson on
his left. At his table were seated the fol-
lowing distinguished guests: Secretaries
Endicott Whitney and Lamar, Senator Hoar,
DR.. Mitchell, Prof. Rudolfo Lincani of the
University of Rome, James Russell Lowell
Dr. .. w. Holmes, Chas. Devens, President
Eliot, DIR. Chas Taylor of the University Of
Cambridge, Eng. President Pepper of Colby
University and large number of other pres
idents of colleges and many distinguished
men.
Although the hour set for the banquet was
2.30 1t was $50 before Judge Devens, pres
ident of the day, was enabled ito call the
company to order. When he finally did so
there were 1900 per 'ons seated at the long
tables and then all had not been accommo-
dated. Rev. Alex. Mckenzie of Cambridge,
invoked the Divine blessing and the banquet
began.
While the dinner was in progres. Mrs.
| Grover Cleveland, attended bv Mrs. Endi
colt and the wife of President Eliot of Hsr-
ward, entered one of the galleries with q
number of other invited guests and were en-
Enthusiastically received by those present At
the close OF the banquet the alumni song was
sang after which President Devens arose and
delivered an address. At the conclusion of
Judge Devens address the audience rose, AM
led by the anniversary chorus, sang Fair
| Harvard" with great spirit.
President Devens then gave as the first
sentiment "Our Alma Mater" calling upon
President Eliot to respond
President Eliot said: Mr.. President,
Graduates of Harvard College-At this high
festival in which tender recollections and
hopeful anticipations, thanksgiving, for the
past and aspirations for the future are ming
ling, we all think first Of our beloved coun-
try-Old at our birth; new as the springing
hours shrine of our weakness; fortress of
our powers; consoler, kinder, peerless mid
her peers, and we salute him who here hon.
orably represents her. Next we give thanks
and praise to Massachusetts Her far-seeing
and farreaching act We celebrate. Hers was
generatve deed, done in loneliness and
poverty but in faith. Today so 600 600 peo-
pie in wealth and strength and liberty share
its fruits. Then we greet representatives of
other individuals of learning, who come to
rejoice to US, and we welcome men distin.
guished in public service and professions, in
letters, science or art whose favorng pres
ence adds lus.re to our assembly.
In response to the sentiment "The Com
monwealth of Massachusetts," Governor
Robinson made short speech W hich was re-
ceived with great favor.
At the close of Governor Robinsons re-
marks President Devens introduced Presi-
dent Cleveland
The following is President Cleveland's ad-
dress at Harvard today:
MIR. President and gentlemen
| find myself today ip company to which
am much unused, and when | see the alumni
of the Oldest college in the land, surrounding
in their right of son-ship, the maternal board
at which am but an invited guest, the re-
Election that for me there exists no alma
mater, gives rise to feeling of regret which
is kindly tempered only by the cordiality of
your welcome and your resssurng receL ton.
If the fact Is recalled that only twelve of the
twenty-one predecessors in office had the ad-
vantage of collegiate or university educa-
ton, proof is presented of the democratic
sense of our education rather than an argu-
ment against the supreme value Of the best
and most liberal education in high public po-
sluons. There certainly can be no sufficient
reason for any space or distance between the
walks of the most classical education and the
way that leads to a political place. Anv dis
inclination on the part of the most learned
and cultured of our citizens to mngle in pub.
lie affairs and the consequent abandonment
of political activity TO those who have but
little regard for the student and scholar in
such government as ours. and if they have
existed to damaging extent, very recent
events appear TO indicate that the education
and conversatism of the land are hereafter to
be more plainly heard in the expression OF
popular will. Surely the splendid destiny
which awaits a patriotic effort in behalf of
our country will be sooner reached if the
best of our thinkers and educated men shall
deem it a solemn duty Of citizenship to ac-
lively and practically engage in political
sffsirs. If am to speak of the President of
the United States, desire to mention as the
most pleasant and characteristic feature of
our system Of government, the nearness of
the people to their President and other high
officials. The close view afforded citizens of
the acts and conduct of those to whom they
have intrusted their interests, serve. as a
regulator and check upon the temptation aud
pressure of office, and is a constant reminder
that diligence and faithfulness are a measure
OF public duty, and such relation between the
President and people ought TO leave but little
| room in popular conscience and iudpn,ent