Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-06-29

vcrsity became the wearcrs of the
Blue back in Civil War days. He con-
graduated the members of '16 and
others that they had sat at the feet
of so many wise presidents and profess
sors Through the veins of many of
the graduates of Vermont flowed some
of the best blood to be found i'm the
United states, he declared 81 am not
as old as | look" he observed 81 don't
feel as old" "1f | were to be truthful
and so disagrceable, | ought to tell
you that most of you would become
captains of Industry"
"Thc world is good place to be
in, even though war is stalking abroad
in the land" The "rumpus with a sis
ter republic" was begun now and Yer
mont would be found doing its duty as
ever.
PRESIDENT BENTON SPEAKS.
81 should feel guilty of very seri-
Gus intrusion" said President Benton,
the first speaker "if / took the time
of the alumni representatives." In
other years this last week in June
has been a perfect one. 1t is a great
pleasure indeed to have you all come
back. 1t is n particular pleasure to
sit under the leadership of the vice.
president of this association. The oc-
casion is rather unique. Those pres
ent are here to commemorate the
125th anniversary of the admission of
Vermont to the Union. the first state
TO enter after the % original colonies
President Benton expressed his re-
gret that two events of alumni week
had to he omitted. The pageant had
to be held in the gymnasium an
mex instead of on the campus. The
play in the evening had to he
given up. He invited those present
to attend the reception at his home
Col George Harvey. editor of the
North American Review, President
Meiltlejohn Of Amherst College and the
Hon. Darwin +. Kingsley of the board
of trustees of the university would be
among the speakers. he announced, at
the annual corporation dinner this aft
crnoon at the Van Ness. The members
Of '1G would be the guests of the cor
poration at the dinner. he said. Presi-
dent Benton paid a tribute to '1G. when
he begged the alumni to realize what
a splendid body of men they were alb
sorbing." The class had done some
real constructive work. They had
another for women, which kept aloft
the ideals of college craftsmanship"
Sixteen. he added. was anxious to de-
velop a field in the rear of the college
for athletic purposes and the trustees
had appropriated $500 to start the
project.
c. \. KENT. SO, SPEAKS.
I'VE have at least one distinction
that no other class has, the speaker
began. MI of the siXty-year grads
were present. all four of them. Alum
nj learned, he said after they had left
the college that there was no more
beautiful city anywhere than Burling-
ton He had found none in Europe or
anywhere else.
Every graduate had to make his
way in the world. and the struggle in
human life was about the same now as
it was in his days So with politics
and government and religion. 1t had
law would be wiped out Of existence
during the present war. A great deal
of doematlc religion had passed away
But men cannot live together without
ia basis of morality" Positive con-
Y.
ought to select opinions of most value
to society and sticl; to them.
All present rose as the venerable
Ialumnus got up and he was accorded
ii rousing cheer.
FRANCIS FARRELL 80
Francis Farrell, SO, the next speak
er, out fifty years, was celebrating a
golden wedding. said Vice President
Stewart There We're only two in the
class left. Mr., Farrell said the pres
ont was the second reunion of the
class. Seven years ago all of them
had been present, when 80 was
deprived of the honor of having their
names inscribed upon the tablet. which
honor fell this year to SO The class
Of &C had been in session. he said,
ever since breakfast continuously
GaughterD Its sessions had been
marked by entire harmony.
Mr. Farrell told how as young man
he and H. o. Wheeler, 81. had
listened to Greeley's advice and gone
West He located in northwest Iowa,
which he reached in December after a
stage ride through the snow of 200 or 800
miles, across southern Minnesota. The
place was called "Blue Earth" and the
first "A hours he had spent there had been
the buest he had ever known in his life
The prairie schooner was the railroad Of
those days, but the growth Greeley had
predicted began soon afterward. He was
happy that President Benton had been
called from Iowa. Professor Hillegas.
state commissioner of education, also
came from that State. Iowa had given
Vermont herself an example in politics
which. he was sorry to say, had not been
followed four years ago.
j. W REDMOND, Sc.
You have all noticed" said Vice -Presi-
dent Stewart, that 'S6 has been in evil
dence." John w. Redmond was the man
chosen to speak its claims.
Mr., Redmond rose with feelings Of min
gled sadness and gladness" After 30
years of successful achievement of his
class in every field of human endeavor
'Eighty-six was glad TO assemble once
more about the hearthstone Of Alma Mater
full of devotion and gratitude. "Morituri
salutamus'' was still out of place in the
minds of the members Of Sc, however
He noticed that the guests 0adies) were
still as fair when first they made our
fudge. 'Eghty-six was in transition
period. When they entered college the
campus looked far different from what it
does now, when they left il was about the
same as at present. The old mill was he
ing remodeled and | was the first to sleep
/ To,