The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-20


from the stage of life. Men had called
this College Buchtel's folly. We call it
Buchtel's Wisdom. But the problem is
not worked out yet. No college is ever
finished. 1t depends upon the people of
Akron to say whether by their neglect
it shall prove Buchtel's folly and Ak
ron's folly, or by conserving its interests
it shall more happily turn out Buchtel's
Wisdom and Akron's wisdom. In closing
the President called upon the people of
Akron to feel the same loyal pride in
their institution that Chicago feels in
it's larger and grander university. AS
the people of Chicago, irrespective of de-
nominational lines, have rallied to the
aid of that great institution in their
midst, so should the people of Akron,
without distinction of creed, rally to the
support of Buchtel College.
In response to the toast" theC College and
the City" Mayor Harper made splendid
speech full of hearty encouragement and
sympathy. 1t was proper. he said, that
the city which was proud of the bust
ness ability and success of its founder
| should be the home of the institution
which Mr.. BucAtel did so much to build.
He urged the alumni to speak warm
words of praise in its behalf and not to
feel they we're no longer indebted to it
or turn the cold shoulder upon their
alma mater. He had often felt he
would give the world to have been
graduate of such college, and all the
graduates should feel proud of it's
achievements. And the city which rears
! the greatest benefit from the College
should always rise to it's support in every
emergency. AS the field which constant
ly produces for the benefit of the farmer
has the right to ask something of him
in return, that it may be titled and
dressed, so the college which has con-
stantly conferred benefits upon the city
has the right to ask for the cooperation
and encouragement of our citizens, and
he felt sure he could pledge the College
the fullest support of the Akron people,
Mayor Harper is young man, mem
Der of the Universalist Church, and has
undoubtedly a brilliant future before
him.
The toast "The College and the
| Country" was responded to by Judge
/ Voris, gallant veteran OF the war and
an active participant in the scenes of
Lees surrender. Owing TO the lateness
Of the hour he occupied but few mo-
ments, promising on some future occa-
sion to read paper embodying his per-
sonal experience in that campaign.
Speaking to the toast "The New Edu-
cation" Miss Garrigues made an excel
lent speech showing the great advance
which had been made in recent years,
both in the methods and in the elements
of education. Il was bright, sensible
talk, enlivened by several good anecdotes
and showed high literary finish combined
with complete mastery of the subject
Few at the banquet will ever forget
the profound impression made upon
them by the thrilling words of Mr.. Hoyt.
He is promising candidate for Cover
nor. is law partner of one of BuchtePs
rising young graduates and has the
reputation of being the best occasional
speaker in the State. And he certainly
maintained and enhanced his reputa-
ton on this occasion. After witty in
| PRODUCTION in which he described his
connection with several colleges in his
younger days, he grouped together
Washington, Lincoln and Grant under
the head of "Three Great Americans
The chief element in their greatness, he
considered, was their sublime patience
and endurance under the most trying
difficulties. The figure of Grant writing
his book with the hand of death clutch
ing his throat was graphic in the ex-
treme. 1t was, in fact, wonderful por-
trayal of this characteristic, and literally
held the company spell bound.
DR.. Rexford was the last speaker OF
the evening and his theme was THE In
fiuence of the War upon Religious Opin-
ion." 1t is enough to say that the genial
Doctor was at his best and that his
noble subject was nobly handled.
should only mar the comedy beauty Of
his charming speech should attempt
"to abstract it," 1t would be like the at
tempt to compress a rose, or to put
Gala lily in nut shell. But the broad
ening of the mental vision, with a cor
responding softening OF the hard dog
matte position of theology produced by
the war, was eloquently depicted, and it
is doubtful if DR.. Rextord, master as he
is of the subtleties of speech, ever used
the mother tongue to better advantage.
The post prandial exercises were inter
spersed with music and closed with a
whistling solo by Miss Book. Among
the letters of regret was one from DR..