Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-29
Address oi Chief Justice Fuller.

Although to an institution endowed with
perennial existence, and engaged in work
which continually opens up untraveled
fields, its first century is but part of its
youth; yet the lapse of that period, in con-
temptation of the limitations on human life,
imparts somewhat of the dignity of age
without its infirmities, somewhat of the
gravity derived from experience without
the conse quent loss of enthusiasm; while
the rapid march of events; the questions in
respect Of human destiny which have been
pressing for solution; the recollection of
what she has herself accomplished, inevita-
bly, heighten the sense of the passage of
years as we meet to celebrate the coming, a
century ago, of that gentle mother, Nhom
time has touched only to adorn, and who
has grown in sweetness and maternal power
with the increasing number of her children.
In one of his delightful letters, Mr..
Lowell, engaged in the preparation of the
Harvard address, which, he says, "drags
like an OK sled caught away from home in
q January thaw," exclaims: "Why did the
Lord make US with ten fingers and toes that
we might count up to the fifties and hun
dreds and so make ourselves capable OF
this superstition of anniversaries?" but the
golden-mouthed orator furnished the best
answer to his own jocose complaint, and
the shining current of his eloqueEce was
rufiied by no sign Of the mental irritation
that occasioned it.
The truth is that nothing is more natural,
nothing more useful, than the observance
of anniversaries which may sseve as land
marks in the progress Of humanity; and
communion with the past is but intercourse
| with a dear, familiar friend, chsstened by
| trial, and wise through experience; inter-
course fraught with instruction, with en-
couragement, and with guidance for the
| future>
This finds ample illustration in the CON-
parativeIy recent series Of national cele-
brations, which, as they lav, commemorated
the Declaration of Independence I; the adop-
| ton of the Constitution of the United States
the inauguration of Washington the organi-
zation of the Federal judiciary; significant
events of the Revolutionary struggle; have
recalled. with the trials, the illustrious fig
ures of the early days of the Republic; the
principles uron which the foundations OF
the government were laid and that develop
ment of civiliz alton from which those prin-
ciples were evolved.
| So, but few years since occurred the
commemoration of its eighth hundredth
birthday by the renowned Italian Univer-
sity, through the Interpretation OF whose
schools the influence of the civil law on
organized government and civilization has
apparently been placed beyond the power
of time to lessen or destroy, though even
the victorious flights of the eagles of Rome
had their appointed end. Other similar fes.
tiyals, as for example, those in celebration
of the three hundredth anniversary of Ed
inbureh, of Dublin, and of LeydeD, as well
as the two hundred and fftieth of Harvard,
the one hundredth of Williams, of Dart
mouth, and of many another of our sister
| colleges, have alike borne testimony to the
increase in vigor that comes through pro-
gress in the cultivation of the human
mind; have alike summoned up q past,
whether of greater or less duration, justly
entitled by its fruits to veneration and have
Alike demonstrated the benefit of such
periodical reviews of what has been suffered
and achieved, and what may, therefore,
fairly be anticipated.
The name which our college bears is as
sociated with precious memories. and the
inauguration of its government had pictu.
resqueness all its own. And the repetition
to some extent of the attractive story OF iti