Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-27

away during the year. 1t will not mar, it
will rather halow our festivities to recall
those who will meet with US no more the
number of whom is for the year past uuus-
ually large. Though it is sad TO miss them,
yet happy is the institution that
has such names on its rolls
Welcoming the alumni to another annver-
sary, the president said; at is one of the
perquisites of n college career to have an in
tellectual and spiritual home to come Dacl;
to, one spot on earth where one will always
be sure to receive n warm greeting. Among
the gifts Of the year the president referred
to Mr. Billings's gift of $40, 900 for the pur-
chase of books; to the gift of the
starr farm, acceptable for three
reasons, for the sake Of the giver, DR.. Ed
ward Williams, one of our Woodstock fam
lily of Williamses, for its association with
our dear old friend, DR.. Thayer and be
cause OF the special beauty of its lake shore
frontage; to the three houses for professors,
two Of them given by Mr.. Converse and one
by DR.. Williams, and to the second, erich
scholarship founded by c, W. Rich of
Swanton. All these gifts are wise and
timely. But all gifts to the University are
eclipsed by the splendid gift of Mr. Billings,
who has crowned his previous donation by
one which he himself shall announce in the
following letter:
WOODSTOCK, VT. June !. 1890
iTc%nc4t B"c'Hdm, tH'ocr"ty /" vermont
ltp XIV NJ, t,uckbor. In my ,,.iu lav,
given to the University, SOON to be called
The Billings Library endowment fund - 1t
~ 10 nc lnTe5Cc2 oy tie trustee2 any tie IN
lings Library and the payment Of it. current
expenses. Of course this does not mean THAI
any part OIL II shai De USED 1or the purchase OIL
desire 70 anticipate tbe Gift and have con
cluded in lieu Of the bcquest in the will to give
HoI sy w.. now ana enclose "checA 10 your
had h6Ded f. he present with Won at com
mencement when my son, Frederick Billings,
r., graduates put you know why cannot he
With abiding interest in the University
and affection tie regards to yourself am
laithiul yours fREDEhi'h blhLlN"s'
The reading of the letter was followed by
prolonged and repeated applause.
The president then said In view of
all that Mr. Billings has done for u,
in view of the fact that he had set
his heart or being with US al this time, an
of his fear that he may nev yer meet with u,
again, will ask you all to testify the re
spect and affection, | know you all feel for
him, by rising and standing While
all were standing, the pre- sident added,
and that you will lift up prayer to The
Lord and giVer of life that it may please
him to add many goo1days to Mr.. Billings
years, and to grant that so useful a life may
long be spared to the world. President
BuckGam was frequently aDpluuded and hi
remarks as usual made an excellent impress
sion.
Introducing Gov Dillingham;. President
Buckham said: This Is the University OF
Vermont, the child, though not the nursing
of the state which, as Lord Chatham said o
the colonies, has thriven under the neglec
rather than 10y the bounty of the state
But the beginnings have been maue of an
other policy and in part by the aid of
governor who believes that the State bot,
rs duty and policy, should build up its Uni
versity.
GOV. DILLINGHAN's REMARKS.
Gov Dillingham; was cuthusasticall
greeted He sIid he hardly knew whpr
to begin TO speak of the relation of the Uni
vorsity to the State. That relation va
not SO intimate as he wished it was. or a, /
should be- He then spoke of the plartIn
of schools beside churches by the American
colonists and of their intention to max, Il!
public school, one Of tine Foundations Of til
republic lie could remember son1 t!m
back and bis earliest year, ut school wer
spent under the instruction of a graduate u
the University of Vermont And 50 yea
after year throughout the century III
students ana graduates Of Tia
University had gone ont from its doors an
! carried its principles and methods through
Q out the State lie was glad to hear tha
the institution was never in so good a con
dition as AT present.. and he thought tn
| time was ripe for the enforcement OF til
{ tnivcrsitv's demands upon the State Tw
years ago the report OF the University con-
manied general attention and respect. an
II vas with pleasure that he rec1mmende
the appropriations suggested to the Leglsla
ture The gift which followed wa, not ,
large as he had hoped for but il was Il ste
in the right direction. lie thought repeute
approprIations by the LEGISLATURE won.
e tend to augment general interest in ii
p University. on the principle that whel
' ones treasure is there VIII the heart |
/ also. He thought if the graduates an
others Interested in. the University won!
Il only take hold of the matter in the rich
i spirit the time was not far distant whc
i the State would recognize the Tniversit
; and do whnt it ought to do.