The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-05-03
Captain Clark Of The
Oregon Assists In
The Exercises.
The Grafton Was Delivered By Speaker
HaSkin'S Of BrattlebOrO.


lSpeClhl TO Cne journal
NoRTHFIELD, May This has been
memorable day for Northfeld. The exer-
cises attendant upon breaking ground for
Dewey Memorial Hall were attended by a
great crowd of people, including many
prominent men throughout the State.
Captain Charles e. Clark, the famous COM
mander of the Oregon was the center OF at
traction, aud his presence did much towards
the success of the celebration.
At half past one this afternoon the pro-
cession formed on depot square. 1t was
headed by the Mortified cornet band, fol-
lowed by the cadets from Norwich Univer-
sity, Captain Clark, Speaker Haskins,
President Brown and other invited guests
in carriages, trustees and faculty of Nor
witch University, civic organizations and
citizens in carriages and on foot
The procession moved to the university
grounds, where, after music by the band
and glee club, and prayer by Rev. DR.. w.
s. Hazen Speaker Haskins delivered the
address of the day Colonel Haskins said
in part:
Mr. President, Ladies and Genhemen-
Whoever that has arrived at mans estate
and has studied the history OF nations and
of men, and kept himself in touch with
events Of the everything present, cannot
avoid the conclusion, il he would, that
"There is divinity which shapes our end,
Rough hew them as we will"
So, when We consider the history of Nor.
witch University, it's past and present. made
resplendent through deeds on land and sea
and in the halls of legislation of its gradu-
yates. may 1t not, also, be said that when
Captain Alden Partridge, graduate, pro.
nd ,do af I,..o
States military academy at West Point, re-
turned to his native State in 1919, and es.
tablished at Norwich his school known as
the American Literary, Scientific and Mil.
tary Academy" he too builded far better
than he knew. That small beginning was
the foundation of Norwich Universe y,
chartered by the Legislature of Vermont in
1884, and ever since then, with the excep.
tion of the United States military academy
at West Point and the United States naval
academy at Annapolis, it has held its rank
as military, scientific and classical insti
tuition of learning, second to no other in the
land.
Vermont has never yet done for this Uni.
versity what it ought. Indeed, l have
sometimes been made to feel that there was
too much jealousy exhibited by the friends
of other institutions of learning in the
State, 30 that the aid given has not always
been granted freely and without manifesto
ton of the spirit OF reluctance and grudg-
of Norwich University has been reared and
sent forth to leaven the world, manhood
unsurpassed and that it will continue the
same grand and noble work in the future
we cannot doubt. Here, as nowhere else
save at West Point and Annapolis is taught.
not alone the classics, but military science,
the art OF government, loyalty to country
and deep devotion to principle, which quail
fies men~to become leaders of their fellow.
men, wise c0unselors, trusted aud faithful
aln ntaHA
manders, 80 essential to the safety and pros
perity OF the nation, both in peace and in
war.
May our proud State see it's way clear to
continue its benefactions, mot grudgingly
are told that "God loveth cheerful giver.'
And may more and more OF our sons, and
the sons OF other States, find their future
Alma Mater here, and within the walls of
this University, made sacred and glorious
by the names OF Partridge, Ransom, and
Jackman OF blessed memory, of Buell.,
Dodge, Lander, Seymour and Williams, OF
Paulding and Carpenter, of Ward and
many others, not forgetting the greatest
hero OF them all, our own brave and honor.
ed Dewey, learn lessons OF obedience to
duly constituted authority, of patriotism
and loyalty, and of earnest and unswerv.
ing devotion to those great principles OF
constitutional liberty, the strength and
support Of every free and republican form
This Is not the proper time nor place fol-
me to enter upon a discussion of any of the
great questions which have been thrust up
on us for adjustment, growing out of ouI
recent war with Spain. But I do venture
the assertion that no living graduate Of
Norwich University, whatever may be his
political Affiliations, will ever be found Civ
ing aid or comfort by word or deed, to the
enemies OF our country, or to an ignorant
long suffering and servile people in distant
islands, whom the march OF events has
placed under our care and protection.
The motto of the intensely partisan, "My
party, may it ever be right; but, right OF
wrong my party" never yet found perma
nent lodgment in the breast of any honest
citizen and true patriot. They would
rather have written upon the Intel of every
door-frame In the land that other motto
my country, may 1t ever be right; but
right or wrong, my countryr'
Admiral George Dewey, whose name IL
on every tongue, and whom we have mel
this day to honor, knows no political party
but bears true allegiance to his country
only. When he received orders to find and
destroy the Spanish fleet in oriental waters
he did not wait upon his going" but al
once weighed anchor and sailed forth il
search OF the Spanish admiral One veal
ago today, discovering the enemy In the bay
OF Manila he "let loose the dogs of war.
and the quiet stiffness OF that Sabbath
morning was broken with the terrific thun
der Of his guns. To that one signal, glori
ous victory of George Dewey can be attrib
uted the early downfall of the power o.
Spain here In the western hemisphere, AND
in the islands OF the eastern archipelago
II the interview between Admiral Dewe,
and the official messenger OF Admiral vol