Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-07
THE sEMI-CENTENNIAL OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT IN "a.

UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT IN "a.
Fifty years ago the Associate Alumni
Of the University in connection with the
lsiterary societies of that day took upon
themselves the responsibility of arranging
for a suitable celebration of the fift'eth
anniversary of the graduation of the irst
class. The invitations. widely distributed
20 the alumni and others. to be present
upon the occasion were issued by com
nittee consisting of Prof. Calvin Fease
later president of the university: Henry
j. Raymond, editor of the New York
Times, then lately founded by him; c.
i. Davey, Esq, of Burlington; the Rev.
B. 3. Newton, n. G. Clark, Robert j.
Hale and James w. Hickok. There was
general response and at nine O'CLOCK
on the morning of Tuesday. August l,
1854, numerous concourse of graduates,
students and invited guests gathered on
the college grounds. and, headed by the
Boston Brigade band. marched to the
Unitarian Church, which had been
courteously rendered to the university
for the occasion. The procession ,roved
In the following order:
The Literary societies, comprising all the
undergraduates.
The Alumni, by classes from 1904 TO 1858
The Corporation and Faculty.
Graduates of the Medical School.
Oflcers of the Associate Alumni and
Literary societies.
Historian, orator. poet and chaplain of
ay.
church was fllled to its utmost
.ty, the galleries being reserved TOR
aides The Hon. Jacob Collar,er OF
lass of 1910. then chief judge Of the
me Court of Vermont. soon to be-
a United States senator. presided.
he Rev. DR.. Amariah Chandler. Of
field, Mass. of the class of 1850. Of
prayer. President John Wheeler
historical discourse. which oc-
two hours. James X. Spalding of
York. of the New York Courier and
irer," who soon after founded the
York World as a religious daily,
red the address to the Associate
MI and the Rev. o. C. Wheeler CT
Hero read a felicitous poem, re-
ing college experiences and paying
tribute to the men who had made
University what 1t then was. These
Uses occupied upwards of four hours.
yet it is recorded that the interest
UGH that at their close the audience
he church refreshed rather than
led"
ming again, under the marshllsnip
I'm b. Wheeler, ESQ, the procession
ned to IIarts Hotel, on Water (now
ry) street. where over three hundred
sat down TO dinner. The after
proceedings were introduced by
Collamer. still presiding. in brief
eloquent speech, followed ny the
~ of the following song written by
d. Taylor, Esq, of the class Of 1S<A
of cherished memories
scenes remembered aye
honorcd dead and living
ong L. V. NJ. to-day.
ropes and loves OF long ago
spear in bright review,
grand old classic college days
ir glorious youth renew.
read again the time worn halls
when their echoes rung
FOSTERING classmates tramp and
shout.
songs in concert sung.
better yet, together meet
genial souls once more
royal generous beating hearts,
in the days of yore.
his glad present and the past
hallelujahs ring
Alma Matters future sons
rapturously sing
space does not permit mention OF
esponses TO the regular toasts Is in
err which followed the material feast
single exception. There was a sen
It to Tho first graduating class OF
ars ago" around which. said the re-
of the occasion given by the FREE
IS. peculiar interest seemed to CEN
We quote from that report
res Adams. Esq. of Burlington
There were four of u.s. said ne
graduated fifty years ago lie stop
moment: two white haired men
beside him and the three, the survi-
of the class of 1904. stood in silence
effect was electric. Wonder that OF
So of half a century ago three fourths
d yet survive and be able to meet
and there, and thoughts of the emo
which they must feel as they looked
each other and their numerous sue
RS in the path on which they were
pioneers, filled the minds of all pres
ent. and after moments silence broke
forth in deafening applause"
Charles Adams, Wheeler Barnes, Justus
p Wheeler and Jairus Kennan, formed
that class. and all its living members.
Kennan having died long before, were
present. Charles Adams was the spokes
man for the class and spoke with strong
feeling and spirit. Letters were read
from absent alumni and invited guests,
full OF high hope for the future OF the
university. and the assembly dispersed
after singing a song to Alma Mater. writ
ten by r. X. Pangborn Of the class OF 50.
the last stanza OF which was:
All honor to the faithful few
Who guarded her OF old
That was her Iron age'--we trust
She'll have her age OF gold"
Send forth her sons to every land
BE free from cares and tears
And every others son will pray