The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-21
And Made q Brief Speech of Accep-
tance, I'm Which He Praised
the Institutions Work.
COL. ROOSEVELT At CORNELL
HIS ADDRESS TO THE CLASS OF 30
FULL OF GOOD ADVICE.
Duty OF College-Bred Men-Brains
Worth More to the Country than
Wealth Accumulators.

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass, June 20-Presi-
dent Mckinley participated in the COM
mencement exercises at Mount Holyoke Col
lege to-day, awarding the diplomas to the
senior class, among whom was his niece,
Miss Grace Mckinley, and accepting in
brief address the degree of doctor of civil
laws conferred on him by the college. The
President and party came from Holyoke
by electric car this morning. After the COL
lege exercises the Presidcn. held a recep-
ton on a platform in front of the village
church. shaking lands with 2.4oO people.
Then the visitors returned to the Whiting
mansion in Holyoke by electric car. To-
morrow Presiden. Mckinley and party will
enjoy a steamer ride down the Connecticut
river to Springfield. whore there will be
receptions and parade, and at p. m. the
party will leave Springfield for Adams,
Mass, by special train.
The President and party left the Whiting
house at $50 this morning, and at the rail-
road station Governor Woicott and wife,
Adjutant General Dalton and Colonel Nor
gan were taken aboard South Hadley's
preparations for welcoming the guests were
simple, but cordial and appropriate. The
decorations about the town, particularly
upon the houses near the college, were tasty
and picturesque. No attempt at general
decoration Of the instit Ition buildings had
been made beyond the drapirg of few
American flags. The interior of the chapel,
however, was adorned with flags and bunt-
ing, and the generous use of potted plants,
palms and cut flowers produced a very
pleasing effect. The town was crowded
with visitors early In the day. Although
the limitations of the college chapel were
well known to all residents in this section,
the people seemed to expect that somehow
or other an opportunity would be given
them to shake hands with the President,
and so the college grounds were thronged
some time before the hour scheduled for
the beginning of the days programme.
The President ard his party reached South
Hadley at 10 o'clock. Rev. DR.. j. r. l..
Trask and Rev. DIR. Judson Smith, Of the
board of trustees of Mount Holyoke Col
lege. were waiting for them at the entrance
to the college grounds. The visitors were
escorted to the chapel. and. as the Presi-
dent, leaning on the arm of DR.. Smith, ap-
peared at the entrance. the audience arose.
The President and the gentlemen who ac-
companied him, were given seats on the
platform Mrs. Mckinley. Mrs. Wolcott and
the other ladies of the party sat at the
right. in the auditorium. The seniors ocqu-
pied the front rows.
THE ADDRESSES.
After devotional exercises DIR. Smith read
an address. his subject being "A Plea for
the Humanities." In closing, he welcomed
the guests and introduced Governor VOL
colt. who spoke at some length. Then,
while the chorus was singing. President Nc
Kinley was escorted to the front of the
platform by Mrs. Meade. president of the
college. Upon table near at hand lay the
diplomas. AS the music ceased, the Presi-
dent raised one of the rolls and the name it
bore was that of his niece, Miss Grace Nc
Kinley. The young lady advanced, received
the diploma and shook hands with the Pres
ident This was the only demonstration
made by the graduates, aside from the usual
bow and expression of thanks. AS the last
diploma was presented and the President
was about to resume his seat, DR.. Trask
arose. and. addressing the President. said
that Mount Holyoke College wished to con-
fer upon him the degree of doctor of civil
laws. The President accepted the honor in
the following words:
Mrs. Meade Ladies and Gentlemen-I
cannot refrain from making acknowledg-
ment of the very distinguished honor which
the board of trustees and officers OF this
institution have conferred upon me. want
to assure the young ladies of the graduat-
ing class 1 am both delighted and honored
to be member OF a class or 80.
Massachusetts has been and Is of the
first in many things, but In nothing more
than In educational institutions. l count
ileged yesterday 10 look upon the faces OF
the graduates of Smith College. that splen-
did institution of learning for the education
of Of the women. and count myself most. for
tunate to-day TO look upon the faces OF the
graduates OF this gloriously historic institu-
ton, that has done so much Tor the exalta-
ton of women and whose influence is felt
not only in Massachusetts but In every part
OF cur common country
Mount Holyoke is more. than sixty years
old to-day and the influence Of this institu-
ton in molding and shaping the citizens of
the Nation can never be told. am glad we
day that the boy Shall have no more advan-
taSes tag st than the girl. and Mount Hoiyoke and
Smith and the half dozen .;, other institutions
AN educated womanhood Is an open
school for citizenship every day of the year
mother. mot u iis the solder and the State statesman. ma I
wish for this graduating class all good
things, and ] want you to be assured that
all good. things await a pure and noble
woman"
At the close Of the Presidents deliver
ance of the degrees. beautiful purple ban
ner inscribed, Mount Holyoke &c." was
presented to him by the graduating class
After the exercises the company retired
to Mary Brigham Hall, where the Presi-
dent retired for half an hours rest At
o'clock a reception was held on a platform
erected in front of the local church, at
which the President shook hands with some
200 people, and then the party returned
to the whiting house at Holyoke. Assist
ant Secretary Of the Navy Allen and Lieut..
Crane, who arrived just in time, particf-
pated In the reception Governor and Mrs.
Wolcott returned to Boston immediately
after the chapel exercises. Miss Grace No