New-York tribune., 1899-06-21

She was a woman of ambitious and even au-
dacious faith. but | cannot believe that even in
the days of Misrepresentation she ever dreamed
that such honor as Presidential visit would
ever befal her school. And she. being dead. sa-
lutes you.
But not the dead only. for it would not be a
strange thing If among our young and earnest
alumn@ more than one may yet be found who In
the course OF a few years will aspire TO lay the
foundations Of a new Mount Holyoke even
among the islands OF the Philippines. Gap
plause) And should this event occur, no more
appropriate name could be affixed 10 II than
that of distinguished guest. In recognition
OF this high honor you have conferred on us.
the corporation of this college at its meeting in
May last unanimusly voted TO honor itself by
bestowlng upon you the degree OF Doctor or the
Civil Law and by virtue of the power granted
to us do hereby create William Mckinley.
officer of the Army OF our Civil War. Represen-
tative in Congress. Governor Of Ohio. President
of the United States Of America. philanthropist.
statesman. Christian gentleman. Doctor of the
Civil Law. BE pleased. sir. to accent this honor
at our hands and allow your name TO be en-
rolled upon our rolls. and lqay the God Of our
fathers be with you and yours and our Republic
forever
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH
The President bowed his thanks and took his
seat. Then. apparently upon impulse, he arose
and spoke as follows:
Mrs. Mead. Ladies and Gentlemen: ! cannot
refrain from making acknowledgment In the
presence Of the very distinguished honor which
the Board OF Trustees and officers Of this insti-
tuition have been pleased TO confer upon me. /
want to assure the young ladies of the gradu-
ating class that | am both delighted and hon
ored 10 be member of the class OF W. Massa-
chusetts has been and is first in many things,
but in nothing more than in educational insti-
tutions
| count myself most fortunate to have been
privileged yesterday to look upon the faces of
graduates Of Smith College, that splendid insti-
tuition of learning for the education of women.
and | count myself most fortunate to-day to
gloriously historic institution. that has done 80
much for the exaltaton Of women. and whose
influence is felt not only in Massachusetts but
In every part Of our common country
Mount Holyoke is more than sixty years old
to-day, and the influence of this institution In
moulding and shaping the citizens Of the Ma
tion can never be told
am glad that demonstrating III the
United States to-day that the boy shall have
Holyoke and Smith and the half-dozen other
institutions of the kind are demonstrating that
fact.
An educated womanhood is an open school for
citizenship every day of the year. and the home
is the training school for the mother. the SOL
der and the statesman | wish for this gradu-
ating class all good things, and want you to be
assured that all good things wait upon pure
and noble woman
The President and Governor Wolcott left the
the commencement exercises were over
Tlu President and Governor Walcott left the
building together and walked to Brigham Hall
where they soon Joined by Mrs. Mckinley
and Mrs Wolcott. Luncheon was served for
the President and other distinguished guests
and the students in skating rink
Late this afternoon President Mckinley gave
a reception to the citizens of South Hadley at
the Town Hall. and shook hand with twenty
seven hundred of them in the space Of forty
minutes. The President and Mrs. Mckinley and
the others with them returned 10 Holyoke.
Tomorrow afternoon to the President and
Mrs. Mckinley will be given a reception at
Springfield, and they will then travel to Adams
where they will remain for week at the house
Of W. 3. PlunNtt before returning TO Wash
ington.