The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-22
GRADUATES AT BROWN.
The 0rations in the First Baptist
Church To-day.
OTHER DETAILS OF GRADUATION
The Usual Parade From the College To
the Church and Back Again" Needs
of Physical Education -" Power OF
tho Press " - the 4" Responsibility OF
Criminals"

About 0 o'clock this morning the
Alumni graduating class aud under class
men assembled by classes in front Of
Manning Hall and at $3.50. headed by
Reeves American Band, proceeded to the
First Baptist Meeting House, where the
one hundred and twenty fourth annual
commencement exercises occurred.
Mr.. b. S. Webb then came forward and
presented in very forcible manner "The
Needs of Physical Education and Physi-
cal Culture :" Physical Education and
physical culture represent ideas which
were unthought OF in the DAYS OF our
fathers and are comparatively new to
this generation.
'In the early stages Of American life,
the country was large and free, popula-
tion was widely distributed, modern
social conditions and large cities had not
yet developed. In those early days even
the professional mon was compelled to ak
ercise his physical as we'll AS his mental
powers They developed strong consti-
tutions and healty bodies by hard work
In the open air.
college men were generally deformed
by the very nature Of their work from In
sufficient physical exercise. Mental drill
and employment were the primary aud
sole objects of a collegiate education.
with the growth OF the great cities
and the decadence of the country life. OPP
portunity for early physical training was
denied to many Of the youths OF the ma
ton. Eminent educators began to notice
the difference In the material that they
were called upon to mould into educated
and cultured men.
Like all reforms the idea was slow In
conception aud slower still in adoption
aud growth. IL was brought about
largely by the influence OF German
exiles, who came to this country and
were employed as instructors In Ameri-
can colleges Perhaps the strongest i'm
pulse Of ,s. all svsn to S Ss isusa
| leges sent their students not only to serve
in the intellectual plans and councils OF
war, but also TO contend In direct physi-
cal combat. Forced marches, prolonged
| hunger and fierce CONFLICTS were tests OF
physical strength and endurance. The
COUNTRY as q whole awoke to the extreme
| importance Of bodily health aud its pres
| ervation.
''It is along this line of education that
as much may he hoped for our alma
| mater, as she has achieved and Is still
achieving In other directions. Nor need
new while the proper relation between
them Is maintained.
Accordingly with q completely ap-
| pointed gymnasium, with a well quail.
| lied instructors, and with steady going
perseverance, on the part OF the students,
best educational type that human wisdom
has ever devised, q sound mind In u
sound body"
Mr.. fuckers Topic.
Mr.. f. w. Tucker then followed with
an Grafton entitled, ''Society's Respon-
sibility for che Criminal"
Where does the responsibility rest
| for the condition of affairs Is IL to be
placed upon the criminal or upon society! !
Society unites itself under laws, the in
dividual yielding u part OF his personal
liberty in order to increase the liberty OF
the greatest number. But inevitably
there are those who are unwilling to
abide by these regulations. They unite
to exercise their own wills without re-
straint, even at the risk of paying the
penalty. Is society responsible for thisi
IL is ia SO far as it favors economic COLI
ditions which are conducive to crime
Here lies society's responsibility. 1t has
not done all 1t might to prevent crime
1.-THE first duty is careful study Of the
social causes which are producing crime.
But study alone is not sufficient. 1t must
have practical results. 1t must break up
the haunts of vice and crime in tenement
houses. In these places professional
criminals are most vicious agencies in
ers Society's responsibility commences
with the children.
''If in spite Of all precautions crimes
are still committed the next duty is clear
ly that of attempting the reformation Of
the criminal. In tins direction society
has started and the present duty is TO
broaden and extend the system.
But does this reformatory accomplish
it's objecti How better can society be
protected than by making the criminal
= useful member9 You ask, Is this
done
statistics show that over 20 per cent.
of the inmates of reformatories are re-
formed and subsequently lead upright
lives.
"But what is the duty OF society toward
the remainderS The offender SHOULD be
made To see that severe punishment will
inevitably follow"
Henry X Rowe of Newton Center,
Mass. next spoke OH the Scandinavians
in Europe.
Four Hundred Years Ago.
Austin p. Record then delivered an
oration entitled -Four Hundred Years
N q 1l,lD A,