Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1920-01-16

strife and struggle soils us all 1t is
not expected of a soldier in the heat
of battle that he cherish then the
thoughts of St. Francis Assist. Our
friend did enough, wrought good
enough. In the days of the greatest
power of Cecil Rhodes some narrow,
puny soul suggested a flaw in his soon
duct. Good Cod! one said, do you
know he is building an empire And
the empire stood, and its powers and
its logged grit have just saved the
world. So our friend built his empire
in our midst If another could have
built it, another did not He loved
his work and he gave his all to it to
the very last. He carved his name
high in the marvellous roll of Yer
mont's men of achievement, and he
earned his rest,
Beyond the loom of the last lone star
through open darkness hurled,
Further than rebel comet dared or liv-
ing star-swarm swirled,
Sits he with such as praise our God
for that they served His world"
1t is a great regret to Dr. Brainerd
that his strength does not permit his
presence here today to do his part in
carrying out the request made by Gov
ernor Mead a few days before his
death. But in order to meet his wishes
as nearly as he could, Dr. Brainerd
has placed in my hands this manu-
script and asked me to submit it as
his tribute of love to his dear and
honored friend
81 have been asked to tell briefly
of my early acquaintance with my
beloved classmate and friend DR.. John
A. Mead"
1--WE first met at the opening of our
Freshman year September 5, 1860. He
roomed that year with John William
soma classmate whom he had known
in Malone, N Y, who later gave his
life in the field of battle. The room
was in the East College, three story
wooden building that stood where the
graded school-house now stands. The
following year Starr Hall was ready
for occupancy, and Mead roomed there
in No % with Aldace F. Walker, then
a senior They were both in the same
college fraternity and both from Rut-
land County, but strangely enough,
Walker was nearly a year younger |
than Mead"
"A most dramatic event occurred at |
the graduation of Walker the follow
ing Commencement, August 10, 1862.
To understand it we must bear in
mind that the terrible civil war under
the leadership of President Lincoln was
in progress through nearly the whole
Of our college course, and that our
class lost therefore more men than
any other class in college There were
n all % men who for while at least
we're actual members of the class of
Ga. OF these enlisted near the close
If our Freshman year. At the close OF
If whom Mead was one; and in Jun
)ur Sophomore year 8 more enlisted,
or year more. In all IA of our class,
ust half of the total enrolment, served
IL the civil war
"Aldace Walker was the valedctorlan
If his class. A few days before gradua-
ion he joined Co. B of the Eleventh
'ermont Regiment which was being
,rganized at Shoreham. They chose
Ulcers on the afternoon OF commence
nent day and Walker was elected lst
lieutenant. There was but scanty
ime afterward for him to borrow a
inform and ride to Middlebury for
radiation. The exercises proceeded +
iii his name was reached at the close
f the program; but he had not APP
cared. Another piece of music was
allied for and was hong drawn out
anxiety was visible on the faces OF all :
n the audience. Suddenly Walker !
ppeared at the entrance of the church
he music abruptly ended. Walkers Y
anne was announced by President +
abaree; and in blue uniform with +
litterng epaulets Lieut.. Walker
larched with stately strides to the ?
age. followed to the front seat by i
is roommate Mead to serve as u
rompter The applause that broke h
,rth in the dignihed old church was :,
Itense and prolonged. The speaker q
as frequently interrupted, and many \
.ntences were only half heard. lie \
ION gave up the attempt to follow L
is poorly committed Grafton. Mead :,
despair threw the manuscript under ~
lie seat. But Walker spoke with en- .;
lusiasm. His presence was impress /,
We. 1t was the voice of the first .,
holar in the class and of the honored =
ldier eager to enter into mortal COM II
At in the interests of human slavery =,
"Now what was the effect of all d
is on our good friend DR.. Mead? 1t u
as this, to impel him at once to enter 81
e army as a private soldier in Com =,
my K Twelfth Regiment of Vermont A
1lunteers. No room is assigned to Il;
m in the college catalogue for Junior -
ar. But having fought the good :
hit to the finish he was welcomed q
ok to college and was graduated as
honored member of the class OF
l."
"At last in Gods wise providence
Glory had come to the forces that
ught for the maintenance of our
tional life-a victory hallowed by the
,od of the martyred Lincoln who fell
the hand of the assassin. The pur-
its of peace were again possible. 1t
mains only for me to speak briefly
DR.. Mead's early career as a ply
ian"