New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06
WILLIAMS ALUMNI DINE.
ASSOC1ATION-DR. VAN DYKE AND
OTHERS SPEAK.


One hundred and more Of the sons of Williams
College met at Delmonico's last evening at the
annual dinner OF the Williams Alumni Associa-
ton Of New-york. The dinner was the first OF
the dinners held each winter in this city by he
various college alumni associations. At these
dinners alumni old and young. gather to cele-
brate the glories Of the only college on ~arth'
and TO live over again in Renaissance their days
upon the campus to lay plans for the future
good OF their Alma Mater. Last nights dinner
Of the Williams boys" was a typical college
dinner. full Of reminiscent mirth and jolty and
song and cheer
Henry LOOMS Nelson presided by virtue OF
his official leadership OF the Alumni Associa-
ton. and Professor John f. Russell was pres-
ent TO represent the college in the enforced ab-
sence Of President Carter. Princeton was
represented by the Rev. Or. Henry van Dyke.
Among the alumni present were Charles BULK
ley Hubbcll. A. V. W Van Nechten, {. H. Gard
ner, J. f. Simmons. J. II Peters F. Delano. r.
NJ. Jerome, @. r. Abbott. p. Norton. G. : Han.
l. F.. Russell II. ". Mabie F. l.. Stetson x.
F. Wilkinson. T NJ North. c. a. Dawson, |. F.
Miller j. c. Goodridge jr. and w B. Putney.
In calling the guests to order Mr. Nelson had
something to say about the mission Of the small
college in general and Williams in particular.
we need statesmen" he said. but we shall
never breed them by teaching them biology or
to break up rocks in order to find gold"
Professor John f Russell told what vas being
done at Williams at present. and said that the
most significant part OF the work was its
breadth. its earnest spirit and the sympathy OF
the body OF students He declared that the
young men at Williams a democratic body
and governed themselves that the faculty
had q cd ha ha eyoverutnQ body.
Professor Russell went on to emphasize the I'M
portance Of securing and raising UP teachers
who were 1T to inspire their pupils.
BACK OF ALL" he said must be teachers who
are inspirers Of thought. Again the strength
Of college Is not in the numbers OF the men II
graduates. but IN the numbers of its graduates
who write their names indelibly upon the world s
history. The best teacher Is he who can dis
cover the brightas. minds and make the most
out OF them. I; should always be remembered
tina; the function Of American colleges Is hrst
and foremost OF all TO manufacture good citi-
zens Of this great American Republic
The alumni then heard from one OF their num-
Der who. although thousands OF miles away re-
membered the occasion Mr.. Nelson read a cable
dispatch from John Tatlock, Jr.. treasurer or the
associ ition. who in Vienna
The Rev DR.. Henry Dyke began his
speech by saying that there was one question Of
expansion upon which there was no difference
of opinion. and that the expansion OF the
waistcoat by good cheer and of the heart By
good fellowship.
Or. van Dyke expressed himself at a loss
what TO talk about, since II not customary
for after-diIner speakers to talk on subjects
with which they were cOnyersant. and conse-
ouently he debarred from referring TO foot
ball fishing. After making only a brief REFER
ence to Imperialism and that a disparaging one.
the speaker turned his attention to the colleges
OF the country.
There were three kinds Of them he said. those
that were larger than they ought to be, and
were trying TO run a university business on a
high school capital. those that were not as large
as they ought TO be. and were trying TO give a
liberal education on denominatiOnal lines. and
those that struck the happy medium in which
last class he found Williams and Princeton.
Il am IN earnest said Or. Dyke. as a
laugh went around Il talking OF colleges
that have a distinct ideal ard living up 10
IT. l heard Of Methodist once who wore out
pair Of trousers every year. He wore out
the knees the first six months In praying and
the seat the last three months in backSlidng.
Princeton and Williams are wearing out only
the knees"
Dr. G.. Stanley Hall and Benjamin Norton
also spoke.