Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-04

4
Once every year the graduates of Princeton
| meet together 20 sing the songs and chant the
| praises of their alTna mater and to live over
again for few brief hours the joys of college
| days. For the time being the graduate Of
half century ago is as young as the youngest
for all are boys again.
THE ARRANGEMENT OF TEE TABLES.
This annual rejuvenation took place last night
| at Welcker's and thirty or more of the sons of
old Nassau were there to tell each other how
| glad they were that they spent their college
days at Princeton. As usual at alumni din
| ners, there a vast difference between the
two ends of the table. Mt least as far ms the mat
ter of NOISE was concerned. for all the more re-
cent graduates clustered around the secretary
end, while the boys that looked older. though
they really were not of course, sat with The
president, Mr.. John II. Voorhees, who grad
mated IN the class of 1S41. At Mr..
Voorhees, right hand sat DIR. Patton.
the president of Princeton, who succeeded the
venerable DIR. McCosh. Only two of the alumni
present had DR.. Pstton's name on their diplo-
mas as president OF tine college. but many of
them had heard him lecture on the metaphys-
zeal aspect of the categorical imperative, as
professor Of ethics. and all knew that there
are few as good after-dinner speakers as DIR.
Patton.
EVERYTHING WENT.
member of Congress who on the principle
of seniority was entitled to seat midway up
the table said, when the time for cigars and
speeches bad come. that he regretted that he
Eat at neither ore end OF the table nor the
other. that he might imbibe the intellectually
OF the one or else the spirituality of the other.
Ii was great occasion, and al enjoyed it
hugely. The menus were tied with orange and
black three cheers and the Princeton tiger was
the favorite style of expression, and everything
was intensely Itinceton the most loyal
son of Nassau could desire. The menu was
an elaborate one and the speeches and tine
songs were all right. MIR. II. L. DAVIS land
aside for the time being his legal dignity and
cnimed in both as q speaker and singer. Secre-
ta-y Henry c. Stewart led the singing and the
rest followed after, some Of them good long
ways after. But they were college songs and
they went. just as they used to do of summer
evenings out on the campus III front OF old
North Mr.. ". E. Amin moving spirit
in the evenings gayetv. and Mr.. Amin Is al
ways entertaining. whether he Is writing or
speaking or interpolating interesting but ex-
traneous matter into ether peoples speeches
lii the staid columns OF the Congressional Record.
Mr.. .Onn y Wilson, who makes it q point never
TO miss Princeton dinner. came on from his
home near PittSburG and was OF the greatest
assistance to Messrs. Melee, Davis, Amin,
Stewart. sam King ct al in keeping the even
lnS IRON being quiet one.
When that stage had been reached in the
pleasant progress through the menu when
cigars are lighted, although some of the
sybarites at the lower end OF the table began
with cigarettes at the soup course, the presi-
dent, MIR. John II. Voorhees,, raped for atten-
ton He spoke a few pleasant words of greet
ing and then III appropriate words referred to
tie loss which the association had sustained by
the death of Gen. W. W. Belknap. Mr. Henry
4, Mupn Xvh IN assapio+pd In col with
Mr. Belknap. spoke OF the lovable qualities of
tine deceased and read a series Of resolutions
expressive of the appreciation and esteem in
which he was held.
President Voorhees, then entered upon his
duties As toastmas:er, and in mis- happy style
launched the speakers upon the national
and save them an suspicious send-of. In this
special direction he was assisted by the enthu-
siasIn of the members of the association
ptcially those at the lower end of the table. At
this they rose to their feet and with napkins
waving in the air gave the hearty Princeton
cheer as salute to the person named to re-
spond to the toast.
PRESIDENT PATTON CEEERED.
This was especially the case when President
Patton was introduced. The hearty and pro-
lcnged demonstration which he received was IN
indication not only of his popularity among
the alumni. but was a tribute to the man whose
distinguished career and commanding abilities
nave gwen u lame O!lu Wills Oh
Princeton. Always happy and opportune as
an after-dinner speaker. DIR. PaIton's speech
last evening was no exception to the rule. He
has quiet. incisive style, which is pervaded by
dry humo-, and there are touches of
sarcasm which are appreciated by his hearer,
is indicated at frs. by smile. gradually de
veloping into roars of laughter over the
force and potency OF the wit. At the outset
he expressed his qualification at being able to
attend the alumni reunion in this city. where
hsx aIxr.N- rla.lt h.l
! another mission which brought him here. ana
he was glad that the present meeting had been
arranged so as not 10 interfere with the i'm
pOrtant duty of comforting with the committee
appointed 20 consider the revision OF the con-
tesSlon ot faith. He was free 10 state that he
had the courage of his conviction ana did not
hesitate 10 announce himself as an unwayeriaS
/ Calvinist. He spoke of the material progress
made by the college and wittiiy said that the
1 proyerb, Let me make the rich mans will, 1
\ care not who makes the college cur
\ ricuium. seems 10 be the position
I of the modern college president. The
same principle WIS expressed recently
/ by prominent New York lawyer who said for
rich nan 10 die and not leave legacy TO
| Princeton College was priIna facie evidence OF
| Parliamentary incapac:ty. DIR. Patton men
! toned Todd Hall and David Brown Hall as re-
cent additions TO the college buildings ana said
4 that now :. building superb i'll every way was
! being erected which would be a mon,l,nc nj to
| the generosity OF Mrs. Charles Il. Alexander
The million of dollars which DIR. Patton said
that he had determined to secure for the col
lege by the expiration of the first five years of
his presidency had now been contributed with
the exception of quarter of million OF dol
lars, and he lsd yet two years before him in
which 10 obtain that. Naturally. therefore,
he was apprehensiye that his pledges would not
| be redeemed. Dr.. Patton spoke of the intel
| iectual side of Princeton. and said that there
was offered constantly widening area of
choice of studies TO students. While the pur-
| suit Of higher mathematics and tine classics is
| not discouraged provision is made for those
| whose tastes lead them in the direction of the
stud OF the higher philosophy, economies and
| pubic law. 1t would be a very ingenious
student. the speaker said, who could complain
| Of a lack of choice ia the curriculum of PRINCE