Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-11-19
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
Pres. John N. Thomas Delivers
Address on John w. Stewart, 46,
and George N. Boardman, AT.

noon was in the nature of a memorial
service of Governor Stewart and DIR.
Boardman, the death of the latter hav-
ing occurred in New York city Novem-
Der 9. President Thomas spoke without
notes, but he has written out for the
Campus an outline of his remarks, as
follows =
| 1t is not often that any college, large
or small, has occasion to commemorate
the passing of two graduates of such
character and distinction as John w.
Stewart and George N. Boardman. One
was lawyer and statesman, of distin-
guished public service extending over
period of fifty years. The other was
Christian minister and teacher of
theology, strong teacher of strong
faith, who made his influence felt upon
the religious life of the nation.
Both were born in Vermont, within
few miles of this place, in the same year.
1925. Both were deeply attached to the
scenes of their early life. Graduating
from college within year of each
other, both completed within few days
a full score more than the allotted span
of life. Both were recipients of the
highest honors that could come to men
in their chosen avocations. Both re-
tanned strong, clear minds to the very
last. Both passed quietly, peacefully
away from the usual health of old age
to the last long sleep
The life of Gov. Stewart was partic-
ularly associated with this community.
He was born in this village, where his
father was substantial and prosperous
merchant. He attended the local school,
our college, and read law in the office of
Horatio Seymour, an eminent lawyer
and United States Senator. He never
had any other home than Middebury.
Home scenes and old associations were
particularly dear to him. At all times
for the past so years he was respected
and esteemed as the leading citizen of
this town.
| would like to mention two fea-
lures of his education. First, his
thorough reading of great literature.
The library of his student days was not
what you have now, but only a small
collection of books in what is now the
Latin room, to which no student ever
had access. Books were passed out to
students through hole in the door once
| n pttf OEO,,
dents of those times managed to find
out what were the great books of the
worlds life, and Mr. Stewart mastered
some of them with great thoroughness.
He was entirely at home in the plays of
Shakespeare. He put behind him such
works as Gibbons Rise and Fall of the
Roman Empire and De Tocquevile's
Democracy in America. A book he
mastered thoroughly, from which he
could quote and which effected the life
long habits of his mind, was Adam
Smiths Wealth of Nations. / believe
this thorough reading of great books
OF in the curriculum was a large ee-
ment in Mr.. Stewards education.
Another feature was the practice in
expression encouraged by the student
literary societies. There was more
general participation in debates than is
now the case. Declarations and orations
were frequent required exercises. l
have often heard Governor Stewart
speak of the Colloquies" students
used to hold. Three or four students
would seat themselves on a platform be-
| fore an audience, and one would ad
vance a proposition, such as that
Shakespeare was greater poet than
Milton, or that the study of philosophy
is calculated to confer greater benefit
upon humanity than the study of sci
ence. Another would maintain the op-
posite view, and there would follow, not
exactly debate, but public discussion
or dialogue, calling forth the partici-
pant s information and powers of argu-
gument. Governor Stewart used often
to speak of the benefit he had received
from such exercises.
| Inc puDllc career VI NoNeInor Ole"-
art was remarkable one. The details
have been summarized in the public
prints, and need not repeat them.
wish, however, to point out that his
public life was in consequence of excep-
tional success as a lawyer The bar of
Vermont was an able and eminent body
and il took n man of ability to hold his
own among them. But Mr. Stewart
Immediately took high rank, and in con-
sequence was called to public response
biities. He was sent to Montpelier
from this town repeatedly, and was
twice chosen Speaker. Later he was
Governor of the State, then Congress
man, and finally United States Senator.
In all his career ne never sought an