Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-06-26

The class grafton was by Orland S. Isben
of this city, son of Mr.. Isbell of 116 Howe
street. The subject was 1.-THE Enthusiasm
of Humanity, Life, he said in opening,
was real, was earnest. Too many plod along
unthinkingly as TO what we are here for or
what life is for. Others run through life
hardly stopping to think of its reality. In
dividualism was the thing of forty years ago
in social and economic fields, but of late
years the principle has been greatly modified
and socialism calls for attention and support
The individualist demanded, in his theory, to
be let alone by the State and to struggle for
himself. The socialist asks for State aid,
cooperation and recognition of the COM
mon brotherhood of man. All this means, in
the language of our theory, that the socialist
ha. recognized the Essential prin-
what the individualist was prone to
neglect-the intelligent and effective SYM
patty of man with man. The survival of the
tittsst is just as truly principle of universal
thought as it is of universal life. The noblest,
purest thoughts of all ages have been pre-
served and have had their effect upon the
succeeding ages. Thus, and thus only, has
mankind advanced in knowledge, dignity and
purity. Thus has his soul kept pace with
his body, and together they have developed
away from the brute toward the perfect man.
But IL this development has taken place in
the course of nature under the law of selsc-
ten merely, might not man. by throwing the
influence Of his will and intellect into hRr-
mony with this law-might not man, Just as
tho gardener uses natural laws in the cultiva-
ton of flowers and the Improvement of fruit
hasten the birth of the perfect mani
This, then, is what I understand by the
enthusiasm of humanity. 1t is the inspiring,
SOLDERING conviction of mans purpose and
possibilities manifesting itself in the intelli-
gent and effective sympathy of man with
man.
att is peculiarly fitting that you should be
filed with this enthusiasm az you go out in
to the world, for the world has need of it;
and where shall 1t get lofty ideals If not from
those who have studied the history of the
world and of man, who can place the man of
to-day in his proper relations to the man of
yesterday, who understands his place in the
scale of creation, who knows his wants, his
capabilities, his aspirationsi You are the
men to carry this principle into the world, to
break up the dead, hopeless, british content
of the lowest classes which is little better
than despair, to direct the forces which are
already stirring in society into their proper
channels. On You rests not only the privi-
lege but the duty of leading by precept and
example the grand march of man toward The
goal of his perfection.
"One need not write a commentary on re-
publican institutions to find out the danger
residing in the fact recently brought out by
the discussions on the Blair bill that in many
States half of the voters can neither read
nor write. The political body calls for edu-
cation. Society, too, is all in motion. The
chains of the real oppressor are invisible and
therefore doubly strong. The rebellious
heart of ignorance must first be softened by
sympathy and confidence before 1t will open
itself to instruction. But sympathy and con-
fdence are personal qualities, and il is for
this reason that individual effort is needed to
social security. The work of general educa-
ton, to be sure, must be carried on by or
society-the demand to which youmust re-
spond-is for personal educators.
Education is necessary for the stability of
government and the good of society, as well
as essential to advancement and perfection
of the human race. It liz your duty to seize
the torch of knowledge, tighten it at this
perpetual fire and to carry it into whatever
part of this great country it may be your
lot to 60.
'sBut what are one hundred men among
nation Of sixty millions What are one
hundred men In Q mighty nation What,
indeed, but one hundred honest citizens fill.
ed with enthusiasm for society, for country,
for humanity.
classmates: 1t seems but q abort span in
memory since we gathered here from all parts
of the land, with widely different characters
and plans. 1t is but short span in reality
before we part again ana set 70 work, each in
his own way, to further develop and perfect
those characters and plans. What shall we
Garry away with MS from this common life of
oursl What sentiment, what guiding i'm
pulse Shall 1t be the enthusiasm of hu-
Il is principle broad enough to
include MS all, manifold enough to accord
with any profession or calling, noble enough
to inspire the 1oftiest soul with genuine FIRE.
And now, in closing, let me interpret what /
see In your faces, and what, during the last
four years, I have read in your hearts It
is this: Whatever we may think of the rest
Of humanity, we, as class, are all bound to-
gether, and so long as two of us survive, no
member of the class shall lack friend
The exercises of the morning closed with
the singing by the class of the following ode,
by George Barber Fowler of |
The ode follows:
The Parting ode.
Dear alma mater, tits to thee
We pledge our deep fidelity.
r6oa I guardian Of our friendships ties;
And ever shall 1t be our aim
70 cherish and protect thy fame
Whate'er betide, and never fail
TO guard Ito guard) thee well, our dear old Yale.
Tho we may part, there still viii be
The spirit Of fraternity,
Bred meath the elms Of good old Yale,
Rams r ,,, hraghtness ne'sE grows pale
Twin meyer break the tie that binds, -
1ur EatchWcrd ever shall prevail
FOR 6o0 tror God1s Tor classmates and for Yale"
The hezediotion Was pronounced By the
'residsnt. 4