New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-12

AN. ADDRESS BY THE GUEST OF THE EVENING
ON TIE WORK OF TEAcHERs-soaE
OF THOSE PRESENT.
The Hamilton Club gave dinner last evening
in honor of Professor Charles Z. West who has
held the position Of president Of the Brooklyn
Heights Seminary for thirty years, and is now
about to retire The speeches made last evening
developed many interesting facts in his history,
not the least interesting of which was the revea-
tion, which will be surprising TO many Of his
friends, Of the fact that he is eighty years old
1t is understood, however, that he regards it az
an cxtenuating circumstance that be viii have to
celebrate twenty-fOur more birthdays 70 be rs old
as his father who died at the age of 1885, Pro-
fessor West comes Of an old New-England family,
and was born in Washington, Berkshire County
Mass. AS young man he earned By his own
exertions as q teacher sufficient money TO carry
him through Union College. lie first became
prominent in educational affairs by starting tho
first collegiate course in this country for women
at Rutgers Female College Of New York in 1882.
In 1881 he accepted the position Of principal Of
the Buffalo Female Seminary, hut just before the
outbreak Of the Rebellion he came TO the city or
Brooklyn and took charge Of the seminary from
which he is about TO retire.
In all lO5 diners sat down at the three tables
in the main dining-roOm. Seated at the centre
of the guest table was Dr. T. J. Backus, president
Of the Packer Institute, who acted as chairman,
having on his right Professor West, Benjamin ID.
Silliman J. S. 7. SIanahan, DR.. D. II. Cochran,
president Of the Polytechnic Institute and RosSi-
ter w. Raymond On tie left of the chairman
were the Rev. DR.. G.. w. Sampson, president OF
Rutgers Female College; DR.. A. c. Perkins, presi-
dent of the Adelphi Academy; the Rev. DR.. Lyman
Abbott, the Rev. DR.. c. II. Hall and Seth Low.
eli fIa MI
Winslow Stewart L. Woodford, Joshua NJ. Van
Cott Willis L. Ogden Eugene Blackford, Judge
Lucien Brdseye and James McKeen. Caskie Har-
rison, chairman of the Committee Of ARRANGEMENTS,
sat near the speakers, and came in for hoerai
share Of congratulations for the successful manner
in which he had discharged his duties.
At o o'clock Mr.. Baclus raped for order ana
in brief speech introduced Professor west The
Professor was received with applause ana cneers'
lie spoke in substance as follows:
The few minutes may take Of your time shall be
devoted TO the consideration o. the imperative mesa
ana 81 ase S of nv The
teachers OF our schools are the eonsevators OF gu.
for political honors. The Church has 40 preferments
10 draw him away nom his chosen ealing: no
cupidlty No paiatial mansion lifts is turrets for
him amid the elegant residences OF the mAGSnairss
Surroundings is all he can hope for TO shelter him
and his children. !" High thinning and plain living.
happy and satisfied With hi, lot.
When | think Of the development Of the American
think OF that long line Of educated and patriotic me9
who laid the foundation Of this great Repsc:s-spShs
s fSd 0 Of their 81 sa Of Gsr wait Of
libraries and Of learned societies to stimulate and en-
patriots who famed the rres OF ne American Revolt
ton when think Of the ImS's Washington
chain and compass through the forests OF Virginia
taking of the s army of INK s OF Fs0
would say An honor to tho founders Of our col:
than they planned. Could they return to earth sna
witness he growth Of this great Nation in intelligence
and Ss OF S sSq so to
and the large cit;es and smiling villages on every
side where once tho red man and the beasts q PRIV
Of the long age: Of h. yaEa sSe
our VASE wheat fields Of the west upon asricult-
and steam engine our telephone and telegraph systems
which eBcircle earth and and bring nations into
they see the co 100000 inhsbitants Of the Republic.
the 5000 900 Of children in our elementary schools
and the 10000 college students and the 100000
teachcrs-well might they wonder and thank God
II their privilege to begin this grea' work.
Professor West continued his speech by paying
tributes OF praise 10 the Rev. Chester Dewey, DR..
Mark Hopkins, DR.. Eliphalet Mott, and BENJAMIN
Silliman all whom he was abb. to o2os nSmP per
address In these words:
thank God that It was my good fortune In early
manhood 10 be led by men Of such purity and nobility
ot character. Whatever OF GOOD NAV have accom-
plished is due to the uplifting and refining Influence
N such men as these. and. next TO God; am happs
70 do them reverence i0r Shetr exalted virtues ana
IL eful lives. Continued appauseJ
Speeches were also made by Dr.. Cochran, Dr.
Perkins the Rev. c. II. Hall. the Row Ut.
SanlrSon, the Rev DR. LYMAN Abbott st. CLAIR
NcKrlwny and Professor w. lie Conte Stevens, OF
the Packer Institute An interesting incident OF
the evening was the removal Of the large standing
bouquet Of flowers which stood in 'front.' OF inc
chairman to he sent TO Miss VI. A. Brigham, OF
the Mount Holyoke Seminary and Coliege MISS
riQham was for many years one ot froiesSor
Vests most competent assistants IN inc """"e0
ncnt of his seminary in Brooklyn