Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-10-11
THE OLD BAY STATE
Gives Praise 10 williams
College and Founders.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The Whole Affair Pronounced a Success
In Every Particular:

WLLlAMsTOwN. Mass, Oct. l1.-"Well,
IL was "a success, wasn't ~" was the pre-
dominant expression heard here last night,
and success beyond expectation IL was.
The centennial anniversary exercises were
finished by the junior hop at the centen-
NAL building The day was by far the
most interesting and important Of the
celebration, and the crowd Of alumni and
guests was larger. The weather was per.
feet. but a raw wind which came out OF
the west made top-coats "a very comfortable
article of apparel
The family of the founder Of the college
was represented by Captain Ephriam
Williams, who spoke with special appro-
bation.
Andrew Carnegie said he had received
three impressions in Williamstown-that
New England should be- called New Scot
land, that college professors are touched
by higher aims than those Of wealth, and,
IL was impossible, having seen, to forget
Williams. Prayer was offered, after
which the college fence In front Of Thorn.
son laboratory was then formally presented
by Thomas McDonough.
The feature OF the closing ceremonies
was the
Address of Governor Russell.
An honorable, useful life, whether of an in
dividual or institution, Is always worth COM
memorating, not alone as a grateful remem-
brance Of worthy things accomplished, but as
duty TO make them an influence helpful To
the present and TO the future. And when
such life is part OF the honorable history of
the state. interviewer with her work and full
filling her ideals IL Is fitting that she should
give IL her recognition and commentator.
So. today, as old Williams gathers her chill
dren hither To celebrate her anniversary and
TO renew their loyalty to her. the common
wealth of Massachusetts, 10 us a living, loving
personality, gladly comes TO rejoice In her re-
joicing and TO offer her greetings and con-
gratulations
And yet the presence of the commonwealth
suggests that word should be said of the re-
lation Of Williams to the state and of higher
education TO the people. l doubt IL in all his
tory there IL an instance where the founders
OF state SO distinctively felt and clearly fore
cast the influence and necessity OF the highe
education for the success of their grand work
as did our Puritan fathers and those who
followed In their footsteps when they created
and developed our state and national govern
ments. They seemed to comprehend the i'm
portance and result OF their labor, to know
that they were founding institutions for
generations TO come whose happiness and well
fare depended upon the fathers wisdom and
foresight. SO they determined TO make edu-
cation through pubic school and college a
permanent, permeating influence 10 strength
en- character, promote good citizen ship and
the prosperity of the commonwealth.
We all remember the first instance In this
commonwealth Of this purpose of the found
ers, in the establishment Of the college at
Cambridge. Out of their poverty they gave
IL, with struggle and sacrifice sustained It, in
prayer and pious faith watched il; and brought
the full power of church and state TO guide
and govern IL.
In the terse and simple language of its
founders. in the colonial statute establishing
IL, in many later laws, and in our constitution
repeatedly is found the peoples recognition of
the necessity and place Of higher education in
the body polite. AS church and state became
more distinct. and the latter assumed more
fully the practical work Of government, she
did not fail TO cherish the higher institutions
of learning an integral part of our great
system Of popular education upon which the
security and prosperity of our free institutions
must ever rest.