The Portland daily press., 1899-06-21
And College Honored Him By Giving
Degree.
He Accepts Honor in
Graceful Speech,
Party Leaves Holyoke Today For
Springfield. a.

South Hadley, Mass, June 2o.-This 8
was what might be appropriately called
honor day here. Mt. Holyoke college was
honored by the presence at It's commence
ment exercises, Of William Mckinley,
President Of the United States. and In
turn 1t honored him by comforting upon
him the degree of doctor Of civil laws.
This is the first time that such degree
has ever been conferred upon . man by
Mt. Holyoke, and 1t came MS complete
surprise to the President. So much of .
surprise. indeed, that he was forced to de-
vfate from the determination which he
had expressed not TO make an address Of
any kind, during his eastern trip. and
to thank the faculty and the trustees for
the honor they did him.
Mt. Holyoke, in comforting degree up-
on the President, followed closely after
Smith college at Northampton. the trus-
tees Of which ct very late hour on Mon
day night, Informed the President that
they had voted to confer uponihim the
degree Of LII. D.
The President today sent the following
acknowledgement to President Seelsye of
Smith colleges:
'.Rscsive for yourself and the trustees
my high regard for the honor conferred
upon me. Airs. Mckinley joins me in
hearty congratulations TO the class Of
'p9.
The President and his party reached
South Hadley at 10 o'clock on the parlor
electric oar Rockrimmon. Gov. Wolcott
and the orher distinguished guests were
included among the plumber.
Rev. Ur. j. L. II. Trask, and Rev. Iud-
son Small, ID. d., of the board Of trus-
tees, were waiting ct the entrance to the
college ground as the electric drew up.
The seniors In cap and gown, had formed
in parallel lines, between which the visit
ors passed as they were escorted to the
chapel. As the President, leaning on
the arm of DIR. Smith appeared at the en-
trance. the audience which thronged the
place, arose and wave of applause filed
the room. The President and the other
gentlemen of the party assembled to the
platform. Mrs. Mckinley, Mrs. Wolcott
and the other ladies were given seats at
the right. The seniors occupied the front
rows. Miss Grace Mckinley having o place
somewhat obscure toward the rear. The
exercises were opened by DIR. Smith. pres
ident of the board of trustees. DIR. Smith
welcomed the guests and introduced Gov.
plause. When Gov. Woloott had finished,
while the chorus were singing, President
Mckinley was escorted to the front of the
platform by Mrs. Meade. the president
Of the college. On a table near at hand
lay the diplomas. The President raised
one, and the name 1t bore was that of his
niece, Miss Grace Mckinley. The young
lady advanced, received the diplomas
and shook hands with the President.
AS the last diploma was presented and
the President was about to resume his
seat, DIR. Trask arose and addressing
President Mckinley. announced that
Mount Holyoke college wished to confer
upon him the honor of doctor of civil
laws. The President accepted the honor
In the following words:
Ladies' and gentlemen: ! cannot re-
frain from max ing acknowledgement In
this presence of the very distinguished
honor which the board of trustees and
nthcers Of this institution have been
pleased to confer upon me. ! want to as
sure the young ladies OF the graduating
class that am both delighted ami hon
ored to be q member of the clrss of '99.
Massachusetts, has been and Is first in
many things, but In nothing more than
In educational institutions.
II count myself most fortunats to have
been privileged yesterday to look upon
the faces Of the graduates of Smith coll
iege. that splendid institution of learning
for the education of women, and count
myself most fortunate today TO look up
on the ,es of the graduates of this
glorious historic institution that has
done so l..uch for.the education Of wom-
en- and whose influence Is felt not only
in Massachusetts, but In every part Of our
common country.
mount Holyoke is more than 60 yeal 3
old today and the influence of this insti-
tuition In moulding and shaping the citi-
zens OF the nation can never be told.
II am glad that we are demonstrating
IN the United States today that the boy
shall have no more advantages than the
girl. ana that the Holyoke and smith
and the dozen other Institutes of the
land are demontrating that fact.
An educated womanhood Is an open
school for citizenship every day of the
year and thefhome is the training school
Tor the mother, the soldier and the states
man. ! wish for this graduating GLASS
All good things and l want You to be as
sursd that all good things wait on a
pure and noble woman"