Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-26
CLASS OF Al
The Addrsss at the Rsuoion by
Ex-Governor Robis.

BRUNSWICK, June 25-The class Of
lS4l was particularly honored by being
seated at the table, presided over by the
president of the college. President Hyde,
with appropriate remarks. introduced
Ex-Governor Robie, who had been selected
by the members Of his class to respond to
toast, and he WAS received with applause
and spoke - follows:
lam requested by the surviving members
Of the class of Al to convey to the dis
tinguished president, faculty and graduates
Of Bowdoin College cur kind greetings and
cordisl saiutations. Words feebly repre-
sent the offerings of our hearts to our
alma mater on the semi i-centennial anniver-
sary of our graduation day. This is sn
event which but once ia . life time can
summon . college class together. 1t is
certainly . momentous and grand occasion,
and brings with it many pleasant but sad
memories. The class Of Al on its day Of
graduation numbered Sc members. The
youngest - Is years Of age, the Oldest
was over 80 years. Each one appeared to
be in good health and full Of faith and
promise for future il fueDce and with the
ususl expectancy of length Of years. But
the experience Of oil college classes shows
that life 10 short and even youth has to sub
nit to that irrevccsble law Of Providence,
which summons one after another, at we'll
measured intervals, to the realities Of fl-
fure life. The class Of Al has been no ex.
cep,ion to the inisxible rule of repeated
loss by death. Within six months after our
graduatioD, William Cochran Nichols of
New Castle, the youngest and much beloved
member of the class received his summons
to depart; leaving behind an excellent
character and scholarship and attainmenis
not surpassed by any Of his classmates. 1t
10 q remarkable coincidence, and in keeping
with the mysterious ways Of Providence
that We have with Us today the Oldest
member Of our class, twelve years
older than the iamented Nichols
would have been, If he had have lived.
His psternsl and kind appearance more
than fifty years ago gave to him the appel
lation Of "Pater Omnium,' and he was
thus formally baptized and recognized BY
our fraternal bAnd. / refer to the Rev.
Joseph Garland, An orthodox Congre yational
minister Of long, faithful and successful
experience in Christian work. or the SO
members Of our class 2l are dead. and l5
dead, and lofty cheers for the living.
do no injustice to the living, when / say
that the great destroyer Of the human race,
in his appointed work, has selected for An
offering the brightest and most promising
Of our class. would be glad to speak of
each one separately, but this is not proper
occasion. Several Of the deceased men,
bers. like Rev. Francis d. Ladd Of Phils-
delphis, Prof. Henry E. Peck Of Oberlin
University, Rev. Daniel +. Potter of
Brunswick, Hon. Amroy Holbrook of the
State Of Oregon, Samuel Il. Blanchard, M.
D., Of Yarmouth. Hon. Arno Wisweli Of
Ellsworth and Judge Washington Gil
bert of Bath, were learned. conspicuous and
| Influential in their several professions /;
while others in the more humble walks of
life, like Hon. Daniel T. Richardson Of
Baldwin. Franklin Partridge Of Bath,
Oliver HiDkley Of st. George. discharged
every obligation Of life and many public
duties with honor aud fidelity. OF our Itv-
ing members We are proud Of Rev. George
F. Magoun, d. D., president Of Iowa col
lege, Hen. Henry w. Lowell, wealthy
resident Of California. Hon. Henry
Ingalls Of Wiscssset and Rev. Benj. F.
Parsons Of New Hampshire. Others are
deserving Of mefitorious mention, ani we
cannot forget our genial cisssmste George
| A. Thomas, who entertained rs 20 Hospitality
as his home in Portland, las. evening.
Eleven Of our number are, or have
been ministers Of the gospel, and
have filed responsible fields Of labor.
We bad . coed class. conservative
and not impulsive, but true ard loyal to
| them selves, TO the college and the State.
| Ii We have not worked out any Of the great
problems Of genius in Art or science, 10 -
TO be we'll known in he vide world. il has
perhaps been for the want Of oppo,tun;ties
or tuitsbie surroundings. The pas, SO
years has been wonderful 10 i;s develop.
men,s- The progress in the sciences IL
marvellous. The great revolutions in re-
ligions, educsiionA7, business and social
life are wonderful, and more particularly
the historic md political experience Of thii
I great fepeblic has never been 90 important
or thrilling % during the pest Eve decades
Of its history. The heated discussion or
slavery during the ffih and sixth dscadei
Of this century, Immediately following ihs
year Of the graduation Of the ciasl
Of Al, are remembered with intense in
teress BY older men and read aad consid.
cred with profound 4 ought BY the younsel
geuefstion. Il terminated in the great "a
for the Union, and the death and extinctiot
Of human slavery in this sfea
nstion. Bovdoin College was OIL
the night Gds, for il had for lead
ing and conspicuous statesmen, mel
Ike WI. Pit Eesssnden u John Alhicl
] h~~,~>s. a~H s,afpfakn ana ~.msp~Ia M,