Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-07-01
Governors Of Vermont and New
Jersey Addressed the College
Alumni.
RECEIVE HONORARY DEGREES
Norwich Cadets Fired National salute
-Governor Prouty Urged q Broad
er Patriot Fort
Emphasi1cd the Vnlue OF
Educated Men.

Middlehury. June CA beautiful June
day. radiant with sunshine and freshened
by balmy breeze. made II possible Tor
the annual alumni! exercises OF Middlebury
College to be hold on the beautiful campus
plot directly In front Of the college chapel
this morning over 200 alumni and
friends OF the college were present. The
exercises began at $50 a. m. with bust
ness meeting OF the associated alumni N
the chapel, James F. N,Naboe. '92, Of
New York city presiding. At 1890, the
campus exercises were begun. The Mid
dlcbury Cornet band furnished music and
| prayer was offered by the Rev. r. G.
Flagg, 60 Of Newport. James F. Nc
Naboe, ~? presided and in the absence
| OF Frank l.. Bell, 81. the presiding Of
| fcer presented to the college In behalf
| OF tho alumni national flag. and Gov.
Prouty in behalf of the State after a
short address presented a state flag.
GOVERNOR PROUTY.
| Governor Prouty emphasized the
important part which educational in
stitutons play in the molding of citi-
zens. He urged that love of state and
country be taught and that broader.
more thrilling patriotism he instilled
| iHto tHc hearts Oh the young Iie
spoke If the duty Of citizens and
showed that whether a state was good
or bad depended upon Its individual
composition. Lastly he said I'm be-
half of the State OF Vermont. present
this emblem Of our state to Middle
bury College. trusting that IT may
teach TO resgcnerations the lesson
of patriotism which has been SO ad-
mirnbly taught in the past"
President Thomas replied in thanks
for the college and said in conclusion,
II direct that this flag hy from our
chapel in which shall be housed the
new department Of pedagogy estab-
lished for us by the State of Vermont.
, While the national flag was being
raised upon an s0-foot flag pole. re-
Gently erected on the campus, and the
State flag upon the chapel flag pole,
detachment OF artillery from Nor
witch University. under command OF
Lieut. Chester c. Thomas, fired the
national salute of 81 gun3
, GOVERNOR FORT.
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. I know of no
post with greater opportunities for USE
fulnees than that Of professorsh!p
In an institution OF learning.
, II this republic Is to live and to con-
tinue to be potential In the world. II 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 IL 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 years
. we have had considerable false teaching
on the rapid accumulation of wealth by
. individuals in our time. That 1t has beer
rapidly acquired by many there Is littlt
| doubt The last fifteen years has. prooa'
bly,. seen greater individual fortunes oh
g tained than have occurred In any century
= in all recorded time. But this has ais(
y been a period like unto which man never
n before saw Some of these fortunes O.
course have been secured in ways w
cannot approve. but that is true o
everything In ife. Yet In the main tn
men who have built up fortunes in on
country are not subject to criticism On
\, thing should not hc overlooked, namely
that the men who now have TINS vas
re wealth have created it. II did not com
h. by Inheritance. They were poor boy
n. with no better chance in life than I'll
" average boys OF our day
F. NO DISGRACE TO BE RICH.
ne IT Is no disgrace to be rich or TO striv
l for riches 1t is only when We get to
~ point where men, in striving for riches
~
OF of the ideals OF life What needs to b
j. taught our boys H. not that they Shout
IS. not seek great wealth or honor, but thu
IN they should seek them only along l'n'
W and in ways that their conscience ca
n approve. Let them see that wealth
- not the only thing to try to get mi
Oh there Is In HE something higher ar
better than pecuniary gain. To inculca
this. II Is not necessary to teach socla
IA ism or class hatred, | fear somettm
of the modern professor forgets this fat
nd Some are teaching that the rich are sc
ting richer and the poor poorer. and IN
as the race In life Is not even. 1t Is not tru
~ The poorest man IN this republic is be
SO, ter off to-day than a man similarly 81
mt uated In any other country on cart
So. What Is needed Is 10 teach men to I
m to get all they can honestly and. at I
Sc same time. to remember while gett
= It that the things Of this world are
II the vital things Of life. That these a
&c. only for time. while right principles a
ne. right living abide forever, I am one
~ those who believe that our day Is I
9 best the world has ever known IN
public and private morality and RIG
living are nearer to the heart and p'
nose Of the race than at any time
We. the worlds history. II this Is not
pa lieved, then II Is the fault of the teacf
rth and not OF the conditions surroundl
or us.
Mt What we want, In the chairs of our
OF stitutions Of tearing. is men who are
OF seeing, quite human and very practic
re, The college or university professor {
on. send boy out with his eyes on
EN-. stars or upon the earth, Just is he ST
A. guide him The student must not
rah taught that there are classes In I
country to which he cannot by hon
effort hope to attain. 1t is far from
truth.
. TEACH GOVERNMENT IDEALS
anne Another thing boys must he taus
Il