Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-12
Following is the full text of the address delivered by Guy
his inauguration the twelfth president the
University of Vermont October g.

puguratcd. ON that occasion James Bur
rll Angel. the retiring president. address
ing Matthew Henry Buckham, the presi
dent-elcct used these words;
IL therefore. my dear sir most cordial!
congratulate YOU and the university a!
YOU enter upon your new duties undeI
such hopeful auspices. The institution
IS fully launched on It's upward course
now request the chief magistrate Of tn,
state 10 administer to you the oath 80
of Your new office
After Governor Stewart. who is with
us to-day In due form, had sworn in thi,
new official Of the State. President Buck
ham delivered his inaugural address say.
ing:
II will not disguise it from YOU that
we who now occupy the chairs OF tn,
Marshes. Benedicts and Torreys of tn,
old regime are In cordial sympathy witt
the new ideals which the university has
affiliated. and yet should rejoice to fec
today that tho mantle and a double por
tion Of the spirit of the old prophets were
resting upon us"
It Is a far cry from that summer inauE-
ural Of President Buceham more than
40 years ago to this autumnal Inauguration
day. Four decades Is long time in the
history of an American educational in
sttution, and vet when Matthew Henry
BuCkham closed his eyes in earthly final
tty the 29th OF last November, he fell
asleep in the full inveetiture of the office
he had worn with rare dignity and I'M
sullied honor for nearly 40 wears. What
glorious epoch II was If his innate
modesty had not forbidden, President
Ruckham might have appropriated the
boast Of the Emperor Augustus as he
faced the hour Of dissolution, declaring
in truth:
Il found this university, my Rome, a
city of brick and I leave It A city of
marble"
Certainly he found three buildings on the
campus and left -four times three OF
marble and granite and brick and iron.
If buildings. however. were all that he
left behind Vo might disregard those
perishaplc things, refusing 10 accept them
as final evidence Of a successful admins
traticn. This titl president was not NM
mindful OF the value and Importance Of
physical euu'rmont. hut the character
he impressed Iron four generations Of
students is q monument to his memory
more enduring than can he wrought I'm
bronze or marble. The literary ideals for
which he stood have left permanent
impress IN he spirit he has bequea he'd
10 this Institution. tie was firm I'm his
principles as the everlasting mountains
round about the university. The sweet
simplicity of his faith ahides and will
abide as fragrant aroma, pleasing to
all who find their way into this atrnos-
phere. Matthew Henry Buckham is not
dead; he lives; he lives forever and here
on this solemn occasion. | offer to trlls-
tees, my colleagues in thn faculty.
alumni students and friends my
most sacred pledge to cherish reverentIy
the high standards OF scholarship. nor
ali'y and efficiency in service he has left
as MS priceless Request to the genera
tons.
The problem Of the new administration.
as ! see II, is 10 conserve all that is best
in the splendid traditions left by President
Buckham and those who preceded him
while Mt the same time endeavorinC 10
Keep tho Institution in the vanguard Of
all the Sane. forward educational move
ments OF our new age. Tho best and most
comprehensive announcement OF a policy
] can give then at this time. is tho APP
prorriNtiOn for myself with the addition
NJ TWO names, Of the inaugural declara-
ton Of my distinguished predecessor IN
1871.
Will not disguise It from YOU that
We who now occupy the chairs Of The
Marshes 8cuedicts and Torreys-of the
Angel and the Buckham of the old
regime. are in cordial sympathy with the
new ideas which the university has ami
lated and Fot SHOULD rejoice to feel
that tho mantle and "a double norton az