The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-06-26
PoRT.AND RDA

fAINE, FRIDAY MORNING
and interested audience, who received with
emphatic marks OF appreciation the simple
of the ancient boys of Al. "The class of
a." said Governor Robie, numbered on its
day of graduation 96 members. The young
est was Is years of age, the oldest was over
30. Each one appeared 10 pe in good health
and full Of faith and promise for future in
fiuence. But within six months after our
graduation william Cothran Nichols Of
Newcastle, the youngest and much beloved
member OF the class, received his summons
to depart, leaving behind an excellent char
| acter and scholarship. and attachments not
surpassed by any of his classmates. 1t is a
remarkable coincidence, and In keeping
with the mysterious ways of Pro.
vidence that we have living with US the old
est member of our class, twelve years older
tnan the lamentea IS Nicnots nsts would have been
pearance more than fifty years ago gave to
him the appellation Of "Pater Omnium." :" and
he was thus formally baptized and recognized
by our fraternal band. refer to the Rev.
Joseph Garland, an Ortnodox Congregational
perlence in Christian work OF the thirty
six members of our class twenty-one are
dead and fifteen are living. Here then are
tears for the dead and lofty cheers for the
living" OF the living four were present.
Rev. Joseph Garland of Fryeburg, Rev.
Benz F. Parson of Derry. N. H., Geo. A.
Thomas, Esq, of Portland, and the speaker.
of the other survivors George w. Brown,
Esq, of St. Louis, VIM. b. Dean, Esq, of
Boston, Prof. Edward Howe of New York,
William d. Lowell. Esq, Of California, Rev.
Geo. F. Magoun. d. d. of Iowa, and Rev.
Chas. ID. Herbert of New York, were unable
to be present on account Of business engage
ments. Charles Davis. Esq, of Bangor.
Henry ingalls, of Wiscasset. and Rev. Rich
ard b. Thurston Of Connecticut, were de-
tanned at home by i'll health. Speaking of
the class as whole, Gov. Robbie said: "Elev-
ters of the gospel, ana have filled responsible
fields of labor. We had good class. conser-
vative and not impulsive, but true and loyal
to themselves, to the college and the state"
President Hyde next announced that, as
Governor Robie wished to confne himself to
his class, he should call next upon one of the
younger graduates, who. by his successful
administration of the office of Speaker of the
House Of Representatives of the state, had
won prominent place among the public men
of Maine, Hon. Andrew p. Wiswell, of the
class of rs Mr.. Wiswell was heartily re-
ceived and replied in very pleasant way
lie said he had been struck by the fact that
in the procession the place allotted to his
class had not been near the head of the pro-
cesSion as he should have expected for
class that had graduated so long ago as '73,
but near the end. This showed to him that
the older alumni attended the commence
ments much more regularly than the younger.
This was natural. The younger were busily
making their way in the world, while the
older. with their work more nearly done,
were glad to return to the old scenes and re-
vive old recollections. Mr.. Wiswell spoke
highly of the elective system which was. be-
coming feature of the Bowdoin curriculum.
He believed In giving the student some se-
lection in his studies. In closing Mr.. Wis
we'll spoke of the consideration of the legis-
lature for the colleges OF the state in adjust
ing the system OF taxing their real estate
and in increasing the limit of the amount of
property they may hold, done especially iD
view of the prospective donations to Bow
doin. As he closed Mr.. Wiswell announced
that the class of '73 were making preparations
so that, on the twentieth anniversary of their
graduation they might be seen as we'll as
heard at the commencement.
Rev. DR.. E. b. Webb Of Boston, responded
for the class of '46. He said he was glad to
be able to assemble with the alumni in the
Gymnasium building, which recalled the full
Ter college life of today. Yet his mind
turned to some of the things of the past.
One thing he wished to see restored was the
commencement OF the old time, with its for
malities. He saw some of those tOrmalities
today, but not all. he was glad to see Gov
ernor Burleigh present with uniformed mem
bers of his staff. 4e thoaghtit was fitting
that the governor of the state should give
one day year to the oldest college in the
state. DIR. Webb did not know as that he
wanted the old forms brought back with all
their antiquity about them, he wanted them
in perennial freshness. TO illustrate his
point ne told story OF a. young man who
was graduated from college to become a
Methodist minister. The day after gradua-
tion the MetOdists fitted him out with a team
and started him for his field of labor. The
young man thought be would call on the
folks at home on the way. IL was near
night when he arrived at the paternal home
stead, after hard drive. His father, in
balmy state, greeted him at the door and
eagerly asked for his health and future pros
pects, The young man said that he was
well and about to start ont as Methodist
"And John (hic), how much do the
Methodists (hic) give you for preaching?"
asked the old gentleman.
well, father, they give me $500 in money,
the wagon and harness and this horse"
The old gentleman looked the horse over
critically, for it was spawned, had protuber-
ant ribs, sprung knees and other signs Of de-
crepitude. He didn't think much of it, and
to assure him the son said, "lt is as good an
animal, father, as the Master rode into Jeru-
salem on"
The old gentleman looked the horses i'm
perfections over again, glanced at its teeth,
and then swaying back said, 'as good
horse, John 1t is (nic) the Identical animal"
1ells OF approval greeted the witty doctor
OF diyinity's apt illustration, and he had the
closest attention as he told them Of the old
commencements when there were many for
malities, and the audiences stayed in the
churches through the exercises instead of
running out after the first speakers had fin
ished. In conclusion, Dr. Webb spoke of
the work OF the summer school at North
field. and exhorted the young men of Bow
d0in not to be found wanting when the
bands OF Christian workers go forth as mis-
si0narles to carry the fruits Of Christian civ
illZation to the ends of the world.
James McKeen, Esq, the newly elected
president OF the alumni, was next introduced.
In introducing him President Hyde said
no college today is, or might be, so thorough
ly governed by its alumni as B0wdOin. On
the board OF trustees there are eleven alumni
TO two who are not; and of 43 overseers 40
are alumni. 1t the alumni were not having
their own way with this majority the dis
tlngnished alumnus of 81. the ex-Speaker OF
the National House could teach them how to
make their majority very effective Laugh
ter and applause.
Mr.. McKeen said In the administration of
his office he could not do more than follow
the example of the retiring president, DR.. f.
II. Gerrish: Applause. Mr.. McKeen con-
tlnued with a great deal Of appropriate
Galen c. Moses. ESQ.,, of Bath. next re-
spOnded wittily for the class of '56.
President Hyde then introduced Dr. Chas.
D. Smith, of Portland, as an alumnus of
Colby, who had lately beer received into the
Bowdoin family as professor in the medical
school, Dr. Smith was received very cordial
ly. He said he bad always felt warm interest
in Bowd0in. He did not consider Bowdoin
and Colby rivals, but as working together at
common task. Under its present manage
ment Colby was making great strides both
In material prosperity and otherwise. He
thought Bowdoin had one feature at least
that might be copied profitably by Colby, in
deed he knew that the management of Colby
were contemplating such q step. He referred
to the establishment of department of biol
ogy. and histology, studies of especial value
to those intending is enter the medical pro-
feSslOn
Hon. E. p Loring of the class of '6l, was
received with great expectations by the au-
dience, Tor every one was expecting chance
to laugh. They were not disappointed. Mr..
Loring's wit was up to all expected Of it. In
cidentally he gave the alumni a chance to
show their opinion Of President Hyde. "At
first" be said, 1--WE were a little suspicious
about this Harvard annex, Qaughter) and the
policy of going outside the alumni for a
president. But we now know that we made
no mistake" (Applause long, loud and reit-
erated.)
When Professor Henry L.. Chapman was
introduced to speak for the class of '66 there
was another outburst of applause, mingled