The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-14
FRANKLIN EXERCISES
PRES. HARPER, OF CHICAGO UNI
vERsITY, ADDRESSED THE CLASS.
Notre Dame Confcrs a LII. ID. on
Governor Natthews-Commen
ment at Rose Polytechnic.
Special TO the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 tie JnuldndpOllS journal.
FRANKLIN. Ind. June 13-The attend
ance at the closing exercises of Franklin
College held this morning was the largest
witnessed here in years Especial interest
centered in the address before the class,
delivered by President Harper, of Chicago
University. His subject was "Our Atti-
tude of Mind in Respect TO the Problems
OF the Day In part he said
Men seldom get from the routine of
life enough TO think of what really inter-
ests them. They are bound in their way
and never consider the why or wherefore
OF their actions. But what we want now TO
know Is what Is really the most prom-
nent question before men. The many prob
lens may be arranged In three groups.
question discussed by the people. But ii
Is evident that this is no, true, since few
people are really interested IN successful
the schools We now have and scarcely the
smallest per cent. of people will make any
great sacrifice in order that the welfare OF
the school may be served. Others say that
lines of intellectual thought are occupying
the attention Of the people. Science draws
the attention OF many. religion has its adj
herents. but the mass OF people, even those
who think. do not concern themselves
with these things. The number Of religious
men Is absolutely large but relatively
small. The third problem is politics. Social
questions seem to draw the minds of the
people. This term ought to include the
in the light IL which 1t is usually con-
sidered by the people. Diversity of thought
on these things makes but little clear
light on the subjects Men do not think
think deeply enough. One of the requisites
~ the proper spirit. A man should think
In the attitude of caution. Work in lines
or thought once done Is much harder to
undo. Caution means prudence, not tim
Idity. True caution requires much courage.
III is hard TO stand against public opinion,
z irr0a m
accept any idea. 1t ought to be and must
be thoroughly weighed before il can be
intelligently accepted or rejected
"Openness of mind is also requisite to
good thinking. Lack of openness is mex
cusable except IL be the result Of early
training. IL Is the business of the college
to open minds, yet the college cannot open
all minds. Some men are so mentally indo-
lent that their minds are pasgively neither
open nor closed to any truth. The injury
done their souls is worse than the injury
done their bodies. Every truth Is new to
him who grasps 1t. 1t is the work of edu-
Gators to find new ways of teaching these
truths. The coming revelations in methods
OF teaching will be far greater than those
of the present and past. Yet inquiry is
recognize this fundamental principle.
The worlds work must be done by spe-
cialists. Men are learning that one man
can only hope to be successful in one
small line OF truth. Yet in specialize ton
We are in danger Of extreme narrowness
Combination can only come about by means
or specialists. II there were no specialties
each mans interest would be the same IS
every other mans interests and no COM
bination would be possible. All are re-
quired to make up the sum of truth. Many
claim that specialization is destructive
process. But they forget that construction
comes through destruction. New forms can
only be built from material which already
existed. Yet something better should be
the only thing allowed to crowd out exist
the expulsive power of a new conception
4 came not to destroy but to fulfill
Attitude OF thinkers must be one of de-
pendence. There is no virtue that may not
become vice. Dependence and independ-
ence are co-existent. No one should ask
what he can OF himself secure, but there
PEELED to ask. Falliblty makes all men de-
pendent upon God. In all contact with life
men must be cautious, open, :, in S
dependent on higher powers. Such mind
training will lead TO a discovery of higher
principles OF life and settlement of mod
The bachelors degree was conferred upon
the following members OF the senior class:
NJ. Dean, Columbus; Will c. Monroe, Sui
Ivan, ILL.,: Elijah A. Hanley. Prairie Creek;
John NJ. Phipps, Mitchell; Preston A. Reyn-
olds, Franklin; Ira &. Tedford, Burnetts-
Vile; Ora Wright, Mitchell
B. S.-John a. Hill, Franklin; Josephine
L. Jennings, Williamsburg.
Is. P.-Nannie Drybread, Franklin; Viola
Lukens, Roam; Frank Martin, Lebanon
George III. Owens. Franklin.
Nj. B.-ViOla Murphy. RuSsiayllle; Mar
garet Overstreet. Franklin
The following graduates were given the
masters degree:
e. c. Jerman. 's2, New Point; Jay e.
Smith. '92. Hope; E L. Branigin, 81. Trafal-
gar: Cora Nj. Spear, '93, Franklin; u. L..
Montgomery, '92, Allegheny City, Pa; w.
T. Stott, jr.. '92. Franklin; A. o. Neal, '92.
franklin; E. Z. Wood, 'ss, Franklin;
Reuben Campbell. '92. Wiltshire, o.; Flor
ence NJ. Tichenor, '92, Homestead, Pa.
Honorary degrees were conferred as fol-
lows:
prof A. l.. Green. Purdue University,
Phi. II.
Hon. ]. l.. Thompson, Indianapolis, L. l..
d.
Rev. A b. Chaffee, South Bend. ID.
Rev. 5. A. Northrup, Fit. Wayne, ID.
The alumni dinner was given at the
Merchants Hotel. Seventy-five covers
were laid. Toasts were responded to by
Prof. j. w. Moncrief and President w. r.
Harper, Chicago University; Prof. A L..
| Green, Pudue University; President Stott.
Prof. c. H. Hall, r. A. Hanley, y. Carr
| and r. A. Brown, Franklin. Thesfaculty' s
leyee held in the college building this even
ing from to 10 o'clock closed the COM
mencement Following the levee the men,
bers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity,
with their ladies, were entertained at the
home of Miss Martha Sturgeon.