The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-14
AT HIS ALMA MATER.
Dewey Lays Corner Stone to New
Building at Norwich University.

Building at Norwich University.
Mortified. VT, Oct. 1S.-The little
village of Northfield, in the very heart
of the Green Mountain state, and the
home of Norwich university, at which
Admiral George Dewey, as cadet, was
grounded in the principles of military
training, today greeted the famous ma
val officer. The chief feature of the
occasion was the laying of the corner
stone of Dewey hall, a building made
possible by voluntary contributions
from prominent alumni of the univer-
sity. The ground for the new struc-
ture was first broken by Capt Charles
p. Clark, formerly of the battleship
Oregon, May l Of the present year.
The admiral and his party left Mont
pelier, after yesterdays festivities, at
midnight, and this morning, when he
awoke in Mortified, it was to the echo
ing Of a salute Of II guns, fred by the
cadets of the university. The admiral
took short walk around the village,
before many of its inhabitants were
stirring, and little later received a
call from Col. Henry o. Kent of Lam
caster, N. H, classmate; Chauncey
M. Depew of New York, and later from
Rear Admiral Belknap.
At o'clock the First regiment of the
Vermont national guard came into
town on a special train from Montpe-
lier. and formed a hollow square in the
open space In front of the admiral's car.
AT 9.45 o'clock battalion of the uni
versity cadets marched to the Station.
where they took Admiral Dewey and
his party under their escort and, fol-
lowed by the regiment, marched
through the village streets to Univer-
sity hill.
w CORNERSTONE EXERCISES.
The cornerstone exercises took place
behind the main hall On the platform
large number of invited guests. most
OF them very prominent in the Green
Mountain state, were seated The exer-
eises began with an introductory ad-
dress by Commander Brown, president
of the university, who said:
"A year ago Capt Clark turned the
first sod on the ground where today we
welcome the greatest of Vermonters to
his native soil, and not only greet him
with loud acclaim to his alma mater al
ne comes here to lay the cornerstone.
but we welcome him to old Vermont.
his presence here will be an inspiration
Tor generation Of students"
AS Commander Brown closed his re-
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and laid the cornerstone. AS he sprea d
the mortar and the stone was lowered.
he said: II now declare this stone duly
and truly laid, and according to my
wish"
The stone is about two feet square,
with receptacle for a box, which con-
tains, among other things, a history of
the college, copies of newspapers. a roll
OF all the honor cadets of the university,
a a .off
number of other mementos. The stone
itself was cut from a boulder found on
the hill during the excavation for the
foundation of the building 1t rests on
smaller stone taken from the old uni
versity at Norwich
After the admiral had completed the
laying of the stone, Commander Brown
introduced Chauncey NJ. Depew of New
York, the orator of the day, who made
the following address:
DEPEws SPEECH.
After nearly so years, George Dewey
is again on the old campus and treading
these venerable halls possessed of little
more of accumulated wealth than when
he left. His gift to his college far sur
passes the value of endowments and
buildings. 1t is the example for all time
of the Norwich student, who, without
1AAAAStcS VI dSoiSld1lce, Dy MS stead
fastness, pluck and genius, became the
hero of the American navy and the con-
queror Of a new world for his country.
This day is an influence in breaking
the spell Of gross materialism which
binds the closing year of the 18th CEN
fury 1t opens for the goth nobler aims
and higher ideals. The ingenious youth
can see that comfort, happiness and
fame are possible in art ard letters, in
the service of humanity and the service
of the country. We are to become
broader and more liberal in our associa-
tions. Wealth is to find that 1t is hon
ored by artists, statesmen, jurists, men
and women of letters educators and
officers of the army and navy being in
vited to participate in the social oppor-
tunities which money gives.
THE life Of Admiral Dewey is a man.
ual for the young American. 1t demon
Htrates that work and thoroughness are
the essentials Of success. Opportunity
or accident, If you please-happens to
every one. If ready, he seizes upon it
ana his career is made. If unprepared, it
passes by and rarely returns.
The victory of Admiral Dewey has a
far wider significance than the heroism
Of the fight 1t opened a rev chapter
in the history of the United States. Al
war begun by the United States for hui
manity and liberty, ended in the con-
quest and cession of rich and populous
territory in the east. At the very hour
when our industrial development and
hurplus productions demands the bene-
mt of expanding markets, we become by