Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-06-29
CORPORATION DINNER.
Col. George Harvey. President Me'kle-
john OF Amherst and Others Spcnk.


the hardness with which the 18th an
nual corporation dinner of the univer-
sty began. There were 1914 present,
as nearly as the count could be taken,
which was not surprising since, as
President Benton announced. the city
contained this year the largest num-
Der of returning alumni that have been
on the campus in several IL months
past The hour was nearly three in
stead of two o'clock when the members
Iof the corporation. the invited speak
ers, members of the faculty and friends
sauntered into the dining-room at the
Van Ness. which was given up solely
to their use.
The attendance at this dinner is hard
to forecast. and the arrangement of
the guests therefore was not so fixed
as those in charge might have wished
for. But that helped to make for a
get-together spirit, which was in evil
dence again and again later. The
speakers table occupied the space
along the farther side of the room,
while three OF the small tables imme-
diately next and in front of it accom-
modated alumnae. wives of members of
the corporation and faculty, etc. This
years graduates ranged themselves at
tables near the entrance. for the most
part. At several tables sat graduates
with their wives or daughters.
The most conspicuous object at the
speakers table was the big silver McCui-
Tough attendance cup (won for the year
by $50 placed in front of the president
OF the university. To Mr.. Bentons
left sat Col. George Harvey, editor of
the North American Review, and to his
II T.
Of trustees. next to whom was Presi-
dent Alexander Meiklei John of Amherst
COLONEL HARVEY SPEAKS.
Colonel Harvey and J." said Pres-
dent Alexander Meiklejohn of Amherst
some time after the speech of the edi-
tor, ARE in the same position. l sup
pose most of you would call his
sparkling speech. I think l should call
it bubbling speech. He and I went
down together under that food of elo-
quence. Bubbles came up as he sank"
(Laughter)
Colonel Harvey told dozen or more
stories in his usual witty vein before
getting down to the serious conclusion
of his speech. which was n plea for
patriotism. President Benton intro
duced him as the editor of a magazine
they did" said Colonel Harvey.
This midday speaking differs from
every other kind of speaking. l recog-
nize that familiar look in your faces:
I wonder what he is going to talk
about l wonder if he'll be funny
Three things I can never remember
One is mans name. one his face and
the third | forget"
No conception Of academic freedom
is liberty of saying what you think
without thinking what you say"
1t is the custom, said Mr.. Harvey, to
express appreciation at the bestowal of
an academic honor. He did not come
to Burlington. he added to get an
honorary degree; he came because of
circumstances over whom ! have no
control"
His title of colonel came in this
way. At 90 years old he noticed that
if a man went into the army he might
spend all his life becoming a sergeant
or captain. 80 enlisted as a
colonel" That Internal title" had
chung to him ever since and was the
means Of Introduction in places where
he would have found himself unknown
without it, His contemporaries. who
didn't like him-most of them liked
him. but some didn't--had a way of
writing it colonel"
NV ,ho fron, dao,. -, 49,,
dav bo cold ..h,, ,ho ,oosn s
didn,t know how tbev wers roina -
lose hin,
It was customary for the reciniert
of a degree to saw how undeserved II
was. 81 am willing to say that" he
continued But he wouldn't want to
reflect on the board of trustees who |
conferred it upon him. He was re- !
minded of story told by a much be- |
medalled American of Teuton descent |
Il got dot by mistake" said Herr |
pointing 10 one OF ms medals and I
|
lou,-g,od avc,oir,od ,,,o,, -, ,,
IF ,boir common n,at,,on ,,at -, ...
on Alr,o Mate, Of VI li,e
He had triod 20 oorduo, 49,, ".
diapnosis" IL, ordor
apd out on what basis bo dosor,.od ~
depres eiven him Dagreas marc ri,
en- for various rsasons oltrnisr, H.,
NOR pbiIantbronv worl, d,rInr,aa,.
ate A,truis,,, u,os i,lus,ra,oa
lady who advised her son that his pur
pose in life was to serve others, where
upon the hoy replied; And what are
the others Tor The diplomat was
one Who' as the story went. means
perhaps, II ne says no. just as
iadN does, "hile II she says yes she's