Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-07-02
Alu m nj Day.

A beautiful June day, radiant with
sunshine and freshened by a balmv
breeze, made it possible for the annual
alumni exercises of Middlebury college
to be held on the beautiful campus plot
directly in front of the college chapel
Tuesday morning. Over 500 alumni and
friends of the college were present. The
exercises began at 8 80 a. m. with bus
mess meeting of the associated alumni in
the chapel, James F. McNaboe, '92, of
New York city presiding. At 1890 the
campus exercises were begun. The Mid
dlebury Cornet band furnished music
and prayer was offered by the Rev. R. G.
Flagg $50, of Newport. James F. Nc
Naboe '92, presided and in the absence
of Frank l.. Bell, 81, the presiding Off
Ger, presented to the college in behalf of
the alumni national flag, and Gov.
Prouty in behalf of the State, after
short address, presented State flag.
GOVERNOR PRoUTY.
Governor Prouty emphasized the i'm
portant part which educational institu
tions play in the molding of citizens.
He urged that love of state and country
be taught and that broader, and more
thrilling patriotism be instilled into the
hearts of the young. He spoke of the
! duty of citizens and showed that whether
, state was good or bad depended upon
its individual composition. Lastly he
said, "In behalf of the State of YER
mont, present this emblem of our State
| to Middlebury college, trusting that it
may teach to future generations the les
son of patriotism which has been so adj
mirably taught in the past"
President Thomas replied in thanks for
the college and said in conclusion, Il
direct that this flag fly from our chapel
,, in which shall be housed the new depart
ment of pedagogy established for us by
the State of Vermont" While the ma
tional flag was being raised upon an 80
foot flag pole, recently erected on the
campus, and the State flag upon the
chapel flag pole, detachment of artil-
lery from Norwich University, under
command of Lieutenant Chester c..
Thomas, fired the national salute of 81
guns.
GOVERNOR FORTS ADDRESS.
Following this was an eloquent and
mastery address by Gov. John Franklin
Fort of New Jersey, who said in part:
| When viewed in its relations to the
future of the republic, know of no post
with greater opportunities for usefulness
than that of a professorship in an insti-
tuition of learning.
If this republic is to live and to con-
tinue to be potential in the world 1t will
be because the men Of the future possess
intelligence, courage and integrity.
The need of the hour is practical in
struction, not too much theory. 1t is a
problem with many whether the insti-
buttons of higher learning are not turn.
ing out men with ideas somewhat out of
line with real conditions. OF late wears
we have had considerable false teaching
on the rapid accumulation of wealth by
individuals in our time. That it has been
rapidly acquired by many, there is little
doubt. The last fifteen years has, proba-
bly,. seen greater individual fortunes OBJ
tanned than have occurred in any century
in all recorded time. But this has also
been a period like unto which man never
before saw. Some of these fortunes OF
course have been secured in WAYS we
cannot approve, but that is true of
everything in life. Yet, in the main, the
men who have built up fortunes in our
country are not subject to criticism. One
thing should not be overlooked. namely
that the men who now have this vast
wealth have created it. 1t did not come
by inheritance. They were poor bows
with no bette chance IN life than the
average boys of our day.
NO DISGRACE TO BE RICH.
1t is no disgrace to be rich or to strive
for riches. 1t is only when we get to a
point where men, in striving for riches
forget everything else; loose all thought
of the ideals of life. What needs to be
taught our boys is, not that they should
not seek great wealth or honor, but that
they should seek them only along lines