News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1899-10-18
DEPEN On DEWEY.
Great Speech by Senator
Chauncey M. Depew at
the Laying of the Corner
Stone of Dewey Hall, at
Norwich University, VT,
Friday, Oct. IL, 1899.

Friday, Oct. IL, 1899.
Admiral Dewey, Governor and Leg
iSlators, Gentlemen ofthe Faculty
and Students:
The greetings and applause which
accompanied Admiral Dewey around
the world, the welcome and triumphal
professions of his grateful country
men, the imposing ceremonies at the
National Capital and the capital of
his native state, have their fitting
close at the University where the
foundations of his fame were laid.
He returns from his victories to his
Alma Mater and lays his laurels
upon her shrine. Her precept and
example, teaching and tradition,
made the man. The Homecoming
of the alumnus during commence
ment days to the University is
always an interesting incident in his
life, lut when becomes back crowned
with glory and honor to acknowl-
edge his debt, the old college has
fresh inspiration for her sons.
Forty-five years ago young man
graduated from here and entered the
Naval Academy at Annapolis. At
this institution he had found the
bent of his mind and decided upon
his career. The allurements of COM
merce and fortune did not tempt
him. The pathways of the profess
sions and industrial preferment
which attracted most of the youth
of America had no charms for young
Dewey. To win his way in the ser
vice of his country was his ambi-
ton. The period of his active life is
the most wonderful half century in
the history of the world. 1t is the
era of invention, of discovery, of the
utilization of the forces of nature to
the service humankind. The rapid evo-
luton and development of the arts
and industries have piledup gigantic
fortunes for the able, far-sighted and
adventurous. The contention and
competition for great wealth have
absorbed the best talent and the
vital energies of the people. Thehot
race for money hasf avn the strong-
est from every wa * Hke. To get
rich has seemed tss,sANgn and do.
mestic observers the sole teachings
of our schools, and its rewards Of
luxury and power the most satisfac
tory attainments.
After nearly fifty years, George
Dewey is again upon the old campus
and treading these venerable halls
possessed of little more of accumu
lated wealth than when he left. His
gift to his COLLEGE far surpasses the
value of endowments and buildings
1t is the example for all time of the
Norwich student, who, without in
huence or assistance, by his stead
fastness, pluck and genius, became
the hero of the American navy anC
the conqueror of a new world for his
country.
This day is an influence in breaking
the spell of gross materialism which
binds the closing years of the nine
teenth century 1t opens for thu
twentieth nobler aims and highei
ideals. The ingenious youth can SCI
that comfort, happiness and FAM
are possible in art and letters, in TIL
service of humanity and the service
of the country. We are to become
broader and more liberal in ou
associations. Wealth is to find tina
it is honored by artists, statesmen
iurists, men and women of letters
educators and officers of the arm,
and navy being invited to partici
pate in the social opportunitie
which money gives. The pleasure
of the fortunate areto be enormously
enriched by the presence of achieve
ment and genius from many depart
ments under hospitable roofs. TIL
characteristic of our time is the equa
struggle for social position and ma
terial gain. There is, unfortunately
widespread belief that societ.
recognizes only people of large in
comes and lavish expenditures. LIE
the barriers of exclusiveness be low
cred for the worthy and cultured
for those distinguished in pull
lie life and in the professions
for talent which adds to the i'm
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