Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-22
Weather Does Not Spoil
Class Day Exercises.
Memorial Hall Crowded by
Friends of Students.
The Grafton Was Delivered by Ber-
nard Archibald and the Poem Was
Read by John M. Bridsham-Other
Exercises Of the Day.

and yet another class has carried
the beautiful and time-honored
exercises commemorative of it's exit az
4 graduating class from the ivied halls
of Old BowdOin. Interesting and i'm
prcssive as these occasions always are
today has proved no exception to the
rule. And though the weather has
proved Il mixture of sunshine and show
ers. it has not materially interferred
with the festivities of the occasion.
Many alumni have ben present. today,
from the venerable graduate who
StrOllS about the campus with slow and
measured step, and whitened hair that
b"spcakS many years passed since he,
too. participated in any class day eX-
erciscs. to the recent graduate who
walks briskly along with his young
wife by his side. Mingled with these
are the relatives and friends of the
graduating class-fathers. mothers, sis
ters and sweethearts-all gathered to
see the graduating exercises.
The morning exercises took place at
10 O'Clock. in Memorial hall, before a
=
numbers by Pullen's orchestra of Ban
sor. the prayer by George William Bur
pee of Houlton, the Grafton by Bernard
Archibald of Houlton, and the poem by
John Merrill Bridgham of Dexter.
Promptly at the hour scheduled the
81 niOrS. marching to the strains of Pull
lens orchestra, placed in the right
northeast corner of the hall and led by
the class marshal, George Colby Pur-
ington, Jr, of Pennington, entered the
hall.
The Grafton was by Bernard Archi-
bald of IioultOn, and was a splendid
production. His subject was the
Causes of the Popularity of Longfel-
lows Poetry" In it the speaker not on =
~ showed a keen appreciation of l.ong-
fellows poetry, but also a thorough
conception of the causes that made
Americas greatest poet the real poet
of the people that he was. This
coupled with Mr.. ArchihalTs fine pres
"nco and splendid voice. made tn" ora
tion Il thing that was indeed well worth
listening to.
The speaker said that one cause OF
I.onefellow's popularity WIS the eager
ness with which he would have us look
upon all nature as bright with ilustra-
tiOns Of her creators regard for man.
For il is through thrs" things which
I.ongfellow felt. that express sympathy
with man that help humanity though
it's struggles. The detected spirit is
rheer"d and the feeble arm is nerved
hy such n voice. Although Longfeliow
had not the gift of identifying himself
with the gr&ndrst and widest clements
of nature. he had the greater power OF
reading the true lesson they teach. lie
light and darkness, seas and rivers,
trees and flowers in their relation to
man.
Mr.. Archibald said that another cause
of Longf lloW'S popularity was his SEN
SitiVencsS to impressions from whatev-
or sourc" suggestive of human veal or
Voc that won him great popularity.
Their was also n large element of eX-
quisite tenderness in the poetry that
shows forth the anxietics and sorrows
that often dominate human hearts
which won n way TO the people to de-
gree that scarcely any other poet pos
sessrd the ability to do.
The speaker also spoke of Longfel-
lows great Individuality and clearness
of Iiction as being factors in his popu-
larity. In closing. he spoke Of the SPLEEN
did type of morals that Longfellow rep
resented ana which shOne forth in his
verse "a a factor in his wonderful pop
ularity. He said:
'As that gIcat truth is woven into
human life. II makes ii n gentler. a
nohlrr and a manier thing. no matter
how narrow and obscure in which that
life may move. And among the poets
of this century whose productions have
helped to enlightened the mind and
touch the heart, to refine the taste and
breathe into the soul the elements Of
purity and joy. of liberty and love. none
have contributed more than those from
the pen of Henry Wadsworth Longfel-
low.
"'To the memory Of this. our beloved
poet, we can pay tribute Mt this Com
season. such rs can he paid
tn the sons of none of our sister COL
lcgcs. Tn him we Rnd our greatest gent
Nc. and at his feet we proudly lay our
Greenest laurels."
The poem. which came next, was by
John Merrill Rridgham Of Dexter. and
was as follows:
Mine is the task to feicn tho poets art
on this our chosen Glass Day. and essay
with little skill prcsumptiv" to impart
Some ornament of rhyme unto the day
Scarce three decades have passed since
Bowdoin's peer
OF poets chanted those immortal lines
OF ''Morituri Salutamus:" here
Are still the walks and streams and muir
muring pines
The poet loved. But who can dream the
dreams
Or see the visions that his spirit caught
From the same pots? How doubiy vain
then seems
Our faltering verse. If in the occasion
aught
Demands the outward garb of poetry.
Then must we humbly venture to present
These simple measures. trusting they
will be
However III writ. accepted as we'll meant.