The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-07-11
NORWICH UNIVERSITY.

The last week in June is emphatically
Commencement week in Vermont. We
fail, however, to find as much mention
of Norwich University at Mortified, as
we think the merits of that institution
deserve. Norwich University furnished
from its graduates 270 officers for the
federal army in the war of the rebellion
including twelve generals and thirty
with the rank Of colonel, and was
second only in this respect to West
Point. This fact of itself should give
Norwich" the prestige in press reports
which appears to be fully accorded to
even the most inconsequential college
in the land.
Two or three exceptions to the above
remarks we note in our state papers,
Especially the St. Adams Messenger,
which editorially says;
"a class of ten were graduated, be-
ing the largest class for a number of
years, at the head of which was w. S.
Prior of Underhill, with the rank of
captain. The remaining classes of the
institution are much larger, and the
prospect is most encouraging for the
future. This institution took a new
lease of life in 1884, with the thirty free
scholarships, with which it was en-
dowed perpetually by the state legisla-
ture. These scholarships are granted
upon the recommendation of the state
senators, and it is not to be doubted
that all vacancies will be filled promptly
as they occur. This was an honorable
provision for the state to make, in rec
ognition of the honors bestowed upon
the commonwealth in the Mexican war
and the late war, by its graduates. The
school is most excellent one, in which
military science is placed in the fore
ground. 1t has an excellent faculty of
high-minded, able and conscientious
men and is doing good work for the
state. The studies usually pursued in
other high institutions of learning are
followed in this, with the military made
prominent, as stated. Certain physical
exercise is made necessary and as a
means of such development, military
evOlutions and tactics become highly
and disciplinary. As a military school
of instruction, the institution ranks
high, and as stated by Col. Hooker,
takes second place only to West Point
in the country. The presence at the
commencement of Gov. Dillingham; and
staff was exceedingly appropriate and
greatly to be appreciated. The day was
fine and the exercises, both in the field
and in the house, were made interest
ing and attractive by the cadets, who
entered fully into the spirit ofthe occas-
ion. Since the free scholarships were
bestowed upon the school by the state, a
like favor has been extended to the COL
leges at Burlington and Middlebury.
This action of the state government is
to be commended in the interest of the
cause of higher education, and will be
attended with good results, Capt. Prior
of Norwich University has already re-
ceived "calln from an educational in
stitution in California, and the graduates
of this school have been signally fortu-
nate in finding business positions. The
alumni Of this institution are exhibiting
increased interest in its welfare as shown
by the pledge of an endowment fund of
S25, 900 at their recent meeting. The
state should aid the University in build
ing an armOry and drill room, facilities
which it is greatly in need Of"