Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-06-26
ALUMNI nANauET AND TALK.

DvvfSht. ex-Sccreaary of state r. r.
Rayard, Charles J. BOnaparte OF Bai-
simoro, Senator WoIcOss OF Colora-
do. ex.Minister r. J. Phelps Gen.
ersI skiddy. General Parsons, Con. !
rressman Dalxell and Others-A new
DormisOry 90 be Rnilt.
Grsy-haired Yale boys and the more re- |
GENTLY graduated alumni Joined with the
usual enthusiasm and spirit in the greatest
gathering Of alumni which is held during
commencement week-the alumni dinner-in
Alumni hall at 2 O'Clock, yesterday after
noon. The gathering was one of the charsc-
teristic Yale type and the guests numbered
about 1900. The members of the graduate
ing class of 80 partook Of their repast under
q large tent before the hall and rushed inside
whom they had finished to hear the speaking.
President Dwight with ex-President Porter
upon his right, ex-Seoretary of State Thomas
r. Bay ard upon his left and the guests of the
occasion and members of the Yale corpora
ton about him, was seated at table upon
the platform.
When the large gathering was seated about
the tables President Dwight raped sharply
upon his table, the hubbub of voices ceased,
and Rev. DR.. Anderson of Waterbury of
fered prayer. The repast was then assailed,
and after an hours work in this direction
order and began the speaking of the after
noon. We who have been sitting at this
table, said he, have been sitting in apprehen-
sion lest we should suddenly retire through
the rear wall because of the sudden rush
of the younger Of the alumni.
There are parts of every discourse
which are impressive to some portion Of the
audience. / bid you welcome, gentlemen, to
this narrow path IN life. have on n my iefs
gentleman who successfully administered
cur foreign affairs during four recent years
of our history. We do not enter into politics
here. He is representative of the demo-
cratic party, 80, called llaughterl, and be-
lievss in mild despotism. But wish 1t
known to all that am the only despot here
to. day. This year is the seventy.6fth ami
versary of the graduation of Rev. DR.. Wick
ham Of Vermont, who Is the Oldest living
graduate. I wished to have him here but he
has concluded to postpone his seventy-ifth
anniversary till next year, when he will be
present to give us his benediotion. Isuggest
that Mr.. Charles Farnham send eongratu-
latory telegram to DR.. Wickham at Man
chester, on this occasion. Another old
graduate Ia Rev. DR.. Sumner of Mt. Pleas
ant, New Hampshire. He is ninety-four
years of age.
After reading letter from DR.. Sumner,
President Dwight introduced ex-Secretsry of
State Thomas F. Bayard of Delaware as one
who had characterised him as the ruler of
one of the best governments ip the world.
Seventy years ago, said he, came to this
city to attend an alumni meeting and was
honored by being included among the
alumni of Yale. I saw distinct
individuality, and I think I saw some-
thing BETTER "a moral n more, a
few and Mssrs ss
would have gone. Now have two degrees of
Yale In my family. one causa honoris, the
other oausa laboris. OF our citizens some
are good and some are far from good. am
sure the minds of every man who graduates
from Yale has at heart the welfare
of the government of the United
States. There are some strange anomalies in
this government of ours. We are az jealous
Of our judiciary as q people can be. While
we challenge our jurors for favor, for affeo-
ton, If we do not like them, while no man
ON the bench could hold up his head before
the people If he was conscious of doing what
he ought not to do, what can we say of
our legis1ationa What can we say to judi
ciary which does not obey the law as it finds
III The remedy for this must lie In the
American people. see to-day q dark
the degradation of the currency, the very life
blood Of our American intercourse and pros
perity. Applause, The poor, the laboriDg
men and women, are imperiled by the votes
of men by whose influence this diminution ie
accomplished. It can not be party politics
which prompts o man to call upon his broth
ers and associates to stand by the cause Of
honesty. We must have honesty and self
placement as much In our legislators as In
our judiciary. This end Is what Yale was
intended for. This is, what 7 believe 10 the
sum and substance of her teachings, "thst
you should zee that the great powers given
to the people in this country are not used ex.
cept for the Advancement Of the country
which is loved so we'll" [Applause
President Dwight called for rising cheer
for ex-President Porter, who sat upon the
Ing. 1t was enthusiastically given.
CharlesJ. Bouapsrse, grand nephew of the
great Napoleon, was introduced BY President
Dwight with several humorous references to
his great ancestor. He said he had never
supposed the entrance of Bonaparte into
America In such . peaceable manner. he
thought the battle of Waterloo Q fortunate
oocasion for Yale college.
Tho distinguished guest thought the out
event, but the Bonaparte family had never
been able to see 1t In that light. Bat there
IL one thing which / hope 10 illustrate to-
day. II IL good thing to know the limita
ton Of your own powers. When you, for In.
stance, Invite base ball club on here and
send them back well beaten, perhap.
they know something they didn''
man here to speak and chow him
he is not the best speaker present, he also
knows something he didn't know before. But
their knowledge 10 not received with the
auintessence OF pleasure with which meta
physicians tell us all knowledge should b.
Welcomed. have not the good fortune tG
be born In New England, but IL am to b.
blamed, II was ct the most but youthful
indiscrstion on my part. lhave been breath
present little to concentrated. If a speaker
knows where to stop II 10 great virture, and
that virtue will illustrate now.
Professor Elihu Thompson was introduced
% the electric lighter of the universe. Pro
fessor Thompson spoke of light and its pro
duction by electrical and other means. HI
thought electrical phenomena no more mys.
FERROUS and no less than gravitation ant
doubted not that 10 time human being
might be found to be some kind of electrica
phenomena.
Hon. Edward J. Phelps was greeted will
much applause a. he was introduced as
man whom Secretary Of State Bayard ha,
| sent to the Court of 81. James through hi
uuerripg Yale judgment. The ex-ministe
remarked that the text of the days discus
| sion seemed to be the merits of the dsspoti
| form Of government. Despots can make {
man speak, said he, bat It is difficult TO
them to give man what to say. 1t Is tn
returning footsteps which give the light To-
this occasion, the returning voices whicl
/ make the music. see good speeches read,
in hundred expectant faces. Better thai
| good speeches, short ones. The wealth o
| Yale IL NOT in it's architecture. It has ever
more wealth than it's moral virtues coult
bring turned to cash. The power and glor,
of the university n In its loyal sons. LIE
mo commend you to them.
Judge Hitchcock Of st. Louis was intro
duced as oneo of thesophomores of whom Presi
dentD wight had no fear when both were younl
and the dignifed president of the universit,
was but freshman. Judge Hitchcccl
spoke of several pleasant incidents of hi
college life and worked few jokes upon tn
long ago young freshman who had beoom
the despot of Yale.
President Dwight here gave the year.
statement of the university. During tn
past year there has been received 5000
In the past four years 81 ,244. 600 has been re
ceived. Additional to this $460, 600 has beef
received through legacies and wills whicl
come to the college after the death of Ger
tain bsnefciaries. The class of '75 of tn
law achool have endowed o profeesorshil