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 = / 2) APRIL 27, 1869. 
 
FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Union College Alumni Association 
 
 OF THE 
 
 NORTHWEST. 
 
 SHERMAN House, Cuicaco, APRIL 27, 1869. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 OAKLEY & SON, PRINTERS, 45 McCORMICK’S BUILDING. 
 
 1869. 
 
CORE HL GeraRe 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ASSOCIATION. 
 
 PRESIDENT, - - STEPHEN A. GOODWIN, Crass or 1828. 
 Ist Vick PresipentT, Hon. HENRY R. PIERSON, GE Loao: 
 2nD VicE PRESIDENT, Hon. LEVI HUBBELL, ee oat. 
 3RD VIcE PresipENT, MOSES M. HAM, Esa., e985. 
 SEcRETARY, - - Hon. HENRY 8S. AUSTIN, (fw FASB 1. 
 
 TREASURER, - - J.B. REDFIELD, Esq., i ASD. 
 
ORGANIZATION. 
 
 In the month of January, 1869, an informal meeting of some 
 of the Alumni of Union College, resident in Chicago, was held — 
 at the rooms of the Chicago Historical Society. The meeting 
 was called at the suggestion of D. C. Eppy, Esq., Class of 84, 
 for the purpose of forming a regular Association of the Alumni 
 of the College, residing in the Northwest. It was resolved 
 that there be formed .a Northwestern Alumni Association of 
 Union College; but that a more general notice be extended 
 before organizing such society. The meeting then adjourned, 
 to meet February 4th. 
 
 At the adjourned meeting, February 4th, held at the office of 
 Hon. H. 8S. Austin, Class of 81, it was resolved to issue a 
 circular, appointing a meeting to be held on the 9th day of 
 March, at the Sherman House, for the purpose of completing 
 the organization. The following is a copy of the circular 
 issued : 
 
 ‘“ OuicaGco, February 18th, 1869. 
 
 “The undersigned, graduates of Union College, residing in Chicago, 
 beg leave to address you, their fellow-graduates, on the subject of a 
 Northwestern Alumni Association of the graduates of Union College. 
 Our Alma Mater boasts of over four thousand sons, and very many of 
 them are scattered throughout the Northwest—about forty residing in 
 Chicago alone. Our object is to gather them once a year together, to 
 renew the memories of happy college days, to brighten the chain of 
 fading friendships, to make, for a moment, the man a boy again, and to 
 
4 
 
 show our ancient college that we are not forgetful children, but have 
 her interests at heart, and are ever ready to rally to her support. 
 
 “To effect this we propose to form an Alumni Association, and 
 would earnestly ask your presence at a meeting to be held at the Sher- 
 man House, Chicago, Tuesday, March the 9th, at 73 P. M., when steps 
 will be taken for the formation of a society, and a date fixed for the 
 annual reunion. If you cannot come, will you please write to the 
 Secretary pro. tem., D. C. Eppy, 711 Fulton Street, Chicago, and give 
 any information of any graduates residing in the West who may be 
 known to you. 
 
 Hon. Henry 8. Austin, - Class of igek: 
 Rev. Joun Covert, - . ks 183L 
 D. C. Eppy, - - be 1834. 
 Rev. L. G. Omkstean. LLD., . : 1834. 
 Hon. Henry R. Pierson, - es 1846. 
 Rey. Cuinton Locker, D.D.,_— - 1849. 
 Rev. H. N. Powmrs, D.D., - et 1850. 
 Berns. F. Cunver, - - - ‘ 1852. 
 J. B. REDFIELD, - . Me 1852. 
 V. A. Preece M. D., - . . 1859. 
 C. L. Easton, - - - ‘ 1863. 
 G. L. BARBER, - - - 2 1867. 
 
 At the meeting at the Sherman House, March 9th, held in 
 accordance with the circular, after an agreeable interchange of 
 views, a Constitution was adopted, and an Association formed 
 under the title of ‘‘ THz Unton Cotteae ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 
 oF THE NorTHWEST,”’ its object, as declared by the Constitu- 
 tion, being “‘the promotion of good fellowship among the 
 graduates of Union College, to renew the memories of happy 
 college days, and to create. a living interest in the continued 
 prosperity of our beloved Alma Mater.”’ 
 
 STEPHEN A. GoopWwIn, Esq., the oldest graduate present, was 
 elected President; Hon. Henry R. Pierson, Vice President ; 
 Hon. Henry 8. AvSTIN, Secretary; and J. B. RepFrexp, Esq., 
 Treasurer. 
 
 It was thereupon resolved that a Committee be appointed to 
 make arrangements for the first annual meeting, to be held at 
 
5 
 
 the Sherman House, Chicago, on the 27th day of April, 1869, 
 being the fourth Tuesday in April, the day fixed by the Con- 
 stitution for the annual meetings of the Association. 
 
 On the evening of the 27th of April, simultaneously with 
 meetings of their brethren in New York, Albany, Troy, Roch- 
 ester, Buffalo, and St. Louis, a large number of the graduates 
 assembled in pursuance of the call issued by the Committee of 
 Arrangements, and registered their names as regular members 
 of the Association. The Constitution having been amended, 
 increasing the number of Vice Presidents, Hon. Levi HUBBELL, 
 of Milwaukee, was elected 2d, and M. M. Ham, Esq., of Dubuque, 
 3d Vice President. The appointment of a Committee to arrange 
 for the next annual meeting, at the Sherman House, to be held 
 on the fourth Tuesday in April, 1870, closed the formal pro- 
 ceedings, whereupon the Association adjourned to the Banquet 
 Room. 
 
THE BANQUET. 
 
 At half-past seven, the members of the Association seated 
 themselves at the sumptuous banquet prepared for the occasion, 
 STEPHEN A. GOODWIN, Esq., of Chicago, Class of ’28, Presi- 
 dent of the Association, at the head of the table. Grace was 
 said by the Rey. JoHN Covert, Class of 31. Two hours passed 
 rapidly in discussing the delicate viands before them, with 
 college songs and jests and old time reminiscences. 
 
 At precisely ten o’clock, the cloth was removed, and the 
 formal proceedings were initiated by President GoopWIN as 
 follows : 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 It is with high gratification that I have accepted 
 the position of first President of the Association of the Alumni 
 of Union College, for the Northwest. The honor thus accorded 
 in deference to age of graduation, brings with it some com- 
 pensations for the greater loss of the attributes of youth. 
 
 We meet as the Alumni of Union, to revive the memories of 
 the past, and light up with their re-enkindling fires, the pathway 
 of the ever pressing present. The pupils of Nort, the Alumni 
 of Union, are emphatically a portion of the great Northwest, 
 and an element in its gigantic growth. They have become a 
 part and parcel of its great railroad enterprises; its mercantile 
 power; its educational system; its press; its pulpit; its bar; 
 its bench; its medical institutes and practice. (Applause.) 
 Looking at its wide spread agricultural fields—its populous 
 towns and cities—its rapid march to empire,—we point to 
 
ous 
 ‘““Union”’ as the central contributor to so much of its enter- 
 prise and intellectual power; and, in the warmth of filial love, 
 exclaim— 
 
 ‘orenus unde Latinum, 
 Albanique patres atque altze mcenia Rome.” 
 
 (Loud Applause.) 
 
 From all these various points in the business of life, you 
 assemble to-night, in fancy again to tread the academic shades 
 of ‘“‘Union;” and as its whitened walls come up to the vision, 
 come also the thronging memories of the May-day of life—its 
 scenes of joyous sport—its youthful hopes, aspirations and 
 rivalries—perhaps its loves, and its worshiped divinities. Be- 
 fore you again are the fields, the flowers, the gardens of old, 
 tinged with the auroral light of youth. Again you hold con- 
 verse with the spirits of the mighty dead, as exploring the arcana 
 of nature,—the flowery parterres of literature,—the classic 
 groves of antiquity, sacred to the legion Gods of Mount 
 Olympus, you listen to the silvery tones of that wonderful ‘ old 
 man eloquent,’ while he points the moral and adorns the tale. 
 (Applause.) 
 
 Viewing every Union graduate as a brother—all children of 
 a common mother—you have come up to celebrate the hour in 
 a joyous meeting, as to the banquet of Love. To this feast I 
 bid you a cordial welcome. It isa day to be marked with a 
 white stone in our calendar. Jam not here to forestall what I 
 know is trembling on every tongue, and brimming in every 
 eye. You will do justice to the Faculty, Prex, and Capt. Jack, 
 and little Kames,—to our grand Saturday debates over the 
 ‘“‘ oreat sea of Northern and Southern politics,’ (laughter,)—to 
 the strifes of golden parallelogram ambitions,—to the merry 
 pranks of truant Freshmen,—to the fair Katrinas,—the Christ- 
 mas Krullers, and New Years Ollekokes of old Durop. 
 (Laughter.) We would hear from all. Let no one withhold 
 his mite, but cast cheerfully into the treasury of enjoyment. 
 We have the right, with a method in our mirth, to ask on this 
 auspicious reunion, that joy be unconfined; and, while the 
 
8 
 
 youngest applaud to the echo, the eldest may so become boys 
 again, in genial memories, as to falsify the sentiment that— 
 
 “ Life’s enchanted cup, but sparkles near the brim.” 
 
 (Applause.) 
 
 So shall we do honor to our Alma Mater, as we clasp hands, 
 with her Sons; and making these reunions the renewal of the 
 
 Noctes et coenzeque deorum, (applause, ) 
 
 of our classic days, contribute our good wishes, and our aid to 
 the prosperity and success in the future, of the old “ Union”’ 
 of our love. (Prolonged applause.) 
 
 When the applause greeting the remarks of the President, 
 had subsided, he announced the first toast of the evening as 
 follows : 
 
 Allow me, in the progress of this festive occasion, to now 
 present to you the first regular toast; it is, ‘‘ Our Alma Mater,” 
 and to that we ask a response from our brother, Henry S. 
 Austin. (Cheers.) 
 
 Henry §. Austin, Hsq., of Chicago, Class of 731, in re- 
 sponse, spoke as follows: | 
 
 Mr. President and Brethren of the Alumni: I ought to thank 
 the Committee for giving me the privilege of responding tosuch 
 a toast as this. For surely it isa privilege, as well as an 
 honor; and no apology need be offered, I trust, by one who 
 has had no occasion whatever, no opportunity whatever, for 
 considering what he might say before a society of graduates. 
 For the last two weeks I have been traveling through woods, 
 and over mountains, and through valleys, and have but just re- 
 turned in time to attend this meeting, and have therefore had 
 no previous notice of my being called upon for a response. 
 Still, sir, I must say that I feel honored by having been chosen 
 by the Committee to respond to so noble a sentiment. 
 
 “Our Alma Mater!’ Whose heart does not glow, sir, with 
 the thoughts it brings back, the memories of those bright and 
 
9 
 
 happy days, when our youth was leading us on, when we were 
 happy in being taught by him whom our President has called 
 “the old man eloquent,” for truly was he such. Good old Dr. 
 Nott! Who does not revere his memory? Who will not 
 heave a sigh at the thought that the good old man is gone? 
 ' But while his body could not live forever, his name, his memory 
 still lives, and shall never die. 
 
 ‘Our Alma Mater!’ It brings us back to those halcyon 
 days when we were wont to sit upon that old terrace, with our 
 feet hanging half way down, singing and smoking the happy 
 hours away. Sir, it calls us back to those cold and dismal 
 mornings, when in midwinter we were called by the ding, ding 
 of that old bell, whose clapper was said to have been like an 
 old cat’s tail in an open hat. (Laughter.) But, sir, it called 
 us to something which we believe enabled us to stem the torrent 
 and fight the battle of life. Who does not look back to his 
 college days with much happiness and joy, when he feels that 
 he was there prepared for this great battle, and when he knows 
 that none of Union’s sons have grown up and been false to their 
 Alma Mater! Sir, old Union has always, from her earliest 
 moments, turned out gallant men, who have honored their State | 
 and the whole country. (Applause.) Her sons have peopled 
 from the North to the South, and from the East to the West, 
 the broad land of America; and wherever they are, they are 
 always honored. Never yet have I seen a dishonored son; and, 
 thank Heaven, they are few and far between. 
 
 Sir, it is a pleasure to any one to think of his Alma Mater, 
 and to think of those happy days when college walls were his 
 home. Little did we then think that those were the happiest 
 moments of our lives; for he who goes forth to battle with the 
 tide and stem the torrent of this world, knows that there are 
 high hills to climb, and rough fields to wander through. But 
 the sons of old Union have always been enabled to climb to the 
 highest peak, and many of us have gone to the top of the hill, 
 have passed the meridian of life’s noontide, and are now 
 descending on the other side. But thesons of Union, from the 
 
10 
 
 lessons taught there of the sweets of life, are enabled to with- 
 stand the touch of Time, and to keep the heart always young 
 and always happy. Sir, I have never seen a son of old Union 
 going down the hill of life who was not as happy as in his earlier 
 days. (Cheers.) 
 
 May we long live to enjoy the happy memories of our Alma 
 Mater; may each of her sons feel that he has something to 
 live for, something to work for, something all the time to be 
 doing for; and when at last he shall close a rich career—a life 
 well spent—may he look back upon the past without regret, and 
 to the future without apprehension. (Applause.) 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 Gentlemen, the second regular toast proposed by the Com- 
 mittee is, ‘‘ The memory of Dr. NotT: ever green in the hearts 
 of his pupils.” 
 
 The toast was drunk standing and in silence. The hush that 
 for a moment rested upon the assemblage told with a deeper 
 eloquence than words could tell the veneration in which the 
 memory of the revered President was held by his pupils. 
 
 The PRESIDENT : 
 
 The third regular toast which I propose to you is, ‘ The 
 Faculty of Union College: men whom we delight to honor.” 
 To this I ask a response from our worthy Vice President, Mr. 
 Prerson, and hope he will not be bashful and diffident in re- 
 plying. (Laughter.) 
 
 Hon. Henry R. Pierson, of Chicago, of the Class of 46, 
 and Vice President of the Association, rising at the foot of the 
 table and opposite the President, said: 
 
 Mr. President and Gentlemen: I have never been much 
 troubled with bashfulness—yet have often found it difficult to 
 express exactly what I felt. It will hardly be expected of me, 
 within the brief period allotted, to more than glance at the 
 illustrious men who composed the Faculty of Union College, 
 when I knew them. And it is of them I must speak, leaving it to 
 
11 
 
 others to speak of those who at other times filled, or who now 
 fill, their vacant places. 
 
 The President, as you know, was Rey. EtrpHaLet Nort, D. D. 
 He was born in 1773, made President of Union College in 
 1804, and died January, 1866; President for sixty-two years, 
 in an unbroken line of succession. The grass has hardly grown 
 green on hisgrave. Ilookeduponhimas he layin his coffin; the 
 broad marks of his generous nature were still legible on that 
 placid brow, and he looked like one who had wrapped the drapery 
 of his couch about him, and lain down to pleasant dreams. 
 Peacefully and serenely he sunk to his rest, surrounded with his 
 family, and his friends still remaining at the head of the Insti- 
 tution, rendered immortal by his name, and from the threshold 
 of which he had seen go forth over 6,000 students, who were, 
 are, and ever will be, proud to do him homage, and many of 
 whom followed him to his resting place,—fitting close to the scenes 
 of a life renderedillustrious bya record, if not the most brilliant, 
 yet more endurable than often falls to the lot of man to achieve. 
 I will not pause here to speak of his distinguished virtues and 
 marked character, but reserve that till Ihave passed the list. 
 
 The Right Rev. ALonzo Potter was Professor of Rhetoric 
 and Natural Philosophy. Dr. PorrEr was first made tutor in 
 1819, and continued in the College, with but a slight inter- 
 ruption, until the time of his resignation in 1845, consequent 
 upon his election as Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. 
 He was a rare man: at once the most scholarly, the most 
 dignified, the most imperious and severe; yet withal so uniform 
 and just in his discipline, so profound in learning, so consistent 
 in rectitude, as to ever command not only the respect, but the 
 admiration of every student. As a teacher, he had no superior 
 in the Faculty,—if, indeed, he had his equal. His language 
 was terse; his eloquence, toned by a voice deep and persuasive, 
 was as commanding as it was graceful. Every student trembled 
 at his invective, and every one felt honored at his friendly 
 recognition. Take him all inall, he was indeed the master of his 
 position. 
 
12 
 
 Rev. Ropert Provuprit, D. D., Professor of Greek Literature, 
 was elected to that chair in 1818, and continued in the Faculty 
 until his death in 1860. He was a venerable old man: quiet, 
 discreet, and devoted as a teacher, winning by his uniform 
 christian character, that exhibited itself in his patience and in 
 his sympathy for all the foibles incident to student life. He 
 had the love and veneration of all who knew him. Not bril- 
 liant, but faithful; not positive, but persuasive,—he ever 
 secured the good will and contributed largely to the progress of 
 his pupils, by whom he was greatly beloved. 
 
 Rev. Joun Austin Yates, D. D., was Professor of Oriental 
 Literature, and was elected in 1823. He was a man fitted for 
 his position: an Oriental gentleman, with a voice as sweet as a 
 girl’s, and with manners as gentle as a woman's. He was so 
 yielding, so sympathetic, and so sensitive as to sometimes lose 
 the power of complete discipline, but so perfectly the gentle- 
 man, and so elegant in the diffusion of his letters, as to make 
 him the admired of all admirers. While he was not noted for 
 profound learning, he did very much to polish and refine the 
 many young men, whose future was marked by his discipline. 
 He died in 1849, still a sane and universally beloved by 
 all who knew Hise 
 
 The next, if I remember right, was Rev. THomas C. Rexp, 
 Professor of Latin Language and Literature; elected in 1881. 
 Dr. ReED was a man of great natural dignity, and a most per- 
 fect physical development. He was not a severe student him- 
 self, and was therefore generous toward the frailties of others. 
 His manners were gentlemanly, and his bearing exceedingly 
 courteous. While he was not marked by any distinguishing 
 features of learning, he filled a very important place in the 
 Faculty. He resigned his position in 1851, and now resides at 
 Geneva, N. Y. 
 
 Prof. Isaac W. Jackson, Professor of Mathematics, was 
 elected in 1826. Prof. JAcKSON was and is—and I trust long 
 will remain to be—not only a master in his profession, but a 
 
13 
 
 master in all the proficiencies that go to make up a genial, 
 pleasant, gentlemanly associate. (Applause.) He has dis- 
 tinguished himself not only as a professor, but as a writer on 
 the subject of which he claims to be and is a master. As I 
 observe that he isto have mention hereafter, I shall omit further 
 reference to him here, not because he is not worthy of more, 
 but because he will get it more worthily. (Laughter and ap- 
 plause.) 
 
 Joun Foster, Professor of Natural Philosophy and Mathe- 
 matics, was elected in 1839. Prof. Foster is still earnestly 
 and zealously at his work; how earnestly and zealously, let 
 every one here recall. He not only was distinguished for 
 genuine learning and a wonderful aptness to teach, and a real 
 skill in obtaining progress among his pupils, but also for jokes 
 and wit, which were so subtle as to be never half so well ap- 
 preciated by others as himself. He always laughed first, and 
 seemed surprised that others did not see the point as quick as 
 he did,—but they rarely did. Hestill labors on, and he loves his 
 work, and has done his fullshare in sending forth well disciplined 
 minds. I am sure that no man has been subject to his dis- 
 cipline, but has found through life that he has had to thank 
 Jack Foster for that severity of logic which has enabled him 
 to reason from cause to effect, and in fact enabled him to see 
 cause and sequence, all through life. And I know that I but 
 echo the sentiment of you all, in saying that I am thankful I 
 had Jack Foster for an instructor. (Applause.) 
 
 Next in order was Prof. JoNATHAN PEARSON, Professor of 
 Chemistry, Geology and Botany, elected in 1838. He was al- 
 ways laborious and assiduous, whether in the laboratory of the 
 Chemist, the explorations of the Geologist, or the search of 
 Botanical specimens. ‘True, there were some students who 
 would be amused when the experiments in chemistry failed,— 
 some who would not keep up in the hunt for geological forma- 
 tions,—and some who could never find arare plant for analysis, 
 but then he always excused us, and in the kindness of his 
 heart gave nearly all of his class “max.” when the.report was 
 
14 
 
 made up. He still toils on, never having left his post; and 
 though he sees through glasses somewhat darkly, is ever patient 
 and devoted to his work. 
 
 Tutors Brown and KELLY were both reliable men. Tutor 
 Brown resigned, went to New York, and got rich. Tutor 
 KELLY started in 1854 for Europe, to perfect himself in the 
 science of medicine, which profession he had adopted with suc- 
 cess, and was never heard from—having, with all on shipboard, 
 been lostatsea. He was avery promising man; a firm scholar ; 
 a man of the strictest integrity and fidelity; a real christian 
 gentleman. 
 
 Such were the Faculty of Union College when I knew them. 
 Many of them have since ceased from their labor. Of all 
 these, Mr. President and gentlemen, the grand central figure 
 was Dr.Nort. Would that I could fully describe him! Among 
 men he was hardly equalled,—living through successive gen- 
 erations; starting inthevery infancy of this nation, he ever grew 
 with the growth of those about him, and was the peer of every 
 class with whom he lived. When he took the charge of Union 
 College, the western boundary of New York was beyond the 
 western lookout of civilization. It was fifteen years before the 
 Erie Canal was projected ; twenty-five years before the first 
 locomotive had sounded its note of progress, and long before 
 the telegraph—that great nervous system of civilization—had 
 flashed the least spark to startle the world. 
 
 He had no notion of this young puissant Northwest, with her 
 millions of people, and thousands of millions bushels of corn 
 and wheat, now going to the seaboard; least of all did he dream 
 that those whom he so affectionately called his sons, were to be 
 able to aid in the development of this West, which we, his 
 children, are charged to do. Yet he acted as though he stood 
 at the end of a mighty magnetic telegraph, playing far into the 
 future, where he was writing the destiny of the men whom he 
 
 taught. (Applause.) And so he always lived, and so he died. 
 How glorious that we—the inheritors of all the past, and 
 more—have direct heirship with so good, so great a man. 
 
15 
 
 Happy are we to-night, thus meeting as we do with the fellow- 
 ship of brothers, the sons of old Union, the children of Dr. 
 Nort. (Prolonged applause.) 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 Gentlemen, allow me to propose, ‘The College Garden: 
 fragrant with flowers, shadowy with elms, musical with birds 
 and brooks. May its presiding genius long live to forget his 
 angles in its winding walks, and to retire from squaring the 
 circle to circling the square.’’ Dr. Locks, will you please let 
 us hear from you. (Cheers.) 
 
 The Rev. Crinton Lockg, of Chicago, Class of ’49, spoke 
 in response as follows: 
 
 Mr. President: I suppose that my well known sentimentality, 
 and a sort of poetic justice, for my having been addicted to 
 wandering through this far famed College Garden with the 
 ‘¢ Girl I left behind me,’ have caused me to be selected as the 
 fittest person to reply to this toast, though certainly it is one 
 on which no graduate of Union could fail to say something ; 
 for as far as ‘‘things of beauty’’ were concerned, leaving out 
 the Schenectady girls, that was about all we had in that line. 
 The college buildings are, as you well know, not models of 
 graceful elegance, and when strangers in my time looked rather 
 askance at them, we always gently said, ‘Come, look at the 
 College Garden.” When they enquired, ‘(Have you no 
 Chapel?’’ we replied meekly, ‘Not yet; it is going to be 
 built,—but we have a splendid College Garden.”’ ‘Show us 
 your Library Building,” they asked; and we dextrously parried 
 the blow by leading the way to the Garden gate. ‘And well, 
 indeed, might we be proud of it; for certainly there never was 
 a sweeter spot for a tired or an amatory student to linger in. 
 Nature had done a great deal for it, and Captain Jack had done 
 more. I saw a great deal of the Garden when I was in Col- 
 lege, for my father being a florist, there went on between him 
 and Prof. JACKSON a constant interchange of plants and bulbs, 
 
16 
 
 of which I was the bearer; and my being the son of a lover of 
 flowers, was of course a passport to Captain Jack’s good 
 graces. 
 
 Fortunately, I loved them myself; and many a pleasant walk 
 and talk, digging and grubbing, and discussion as to the relative 
 merit of certain roses, have I had with the old Professor, who 
 told me once, in a burst of confidence, that he had no respect 
 whatever for a man who was not fond of either flowers or 
 mathematics. The Garden has been much enlarged since my 
 time. The brook which used to bound it, now almost divides 
 it in the centre; rustic bridges span it, and though it does taste 
 slightly of sulphuretted hydrogen, I wish we had a big pitcher 
 of it here to-night to drink this toast in. 
 
 But the College Garden seems merely a frame in which to 
 put a portrait of its presiding genius, dear old Prof. JACKSON. 
 (Applause.) I see him in my mind’s eye, as plainly as when I 
 walked then with him,—swallow-tailed blue coat, brass buttons 
 of the highest polish; and in summer, immaculate white 
 trousers, the only proper costume for a gentleman, as he once 
 earnestly told me. (Laughter.) Brave old fellow! he has 
 stuck to the College, through storm and sunshine. In it his 
 whole heart is bound up; with it all his best days have been 
 spent, and I trust that he may be spared to see it again filled 
 with students, as in days of yore. The heavy domesti¢ sor- 
 rows he has been called to bear, have somewhat darkened that 
 quick step. He is getting old, but his mind is as bright as 
 ever. Keen as a two-edged sword,—a hater of laziness,—a 
 kind friend in sickness,—a perfect master of his department, 
 and a thorough and enthusiastic botanist, he forms a striking 
 exception to the proverb “Jack of all trades, and good at 
 none,’ for he is unsurpassed at two—the Mathematical Class 
 Room, and the College Garden. (Laughter and applause.) 
 
 The PRESIDENT : 
 
 Gentlemen, I propose three cheers for Captain Jack ! 
 
 The Alumni rose to their feet as one man, and three ringing 
 cheers were given with a will. 
 
17 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 Mr. Vice President, will you telegraph, ‘The President of 
 the Association to Captain Jack, three cheers from the whole 
 body ?” 
 
 This proposition to convey the cheers by aid of the telegraph 
 to the popular Professor, was greeted with renewed applause, 
 and the dispatch was sent as directed. 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 Gentlemen, hereisatoast that [hope willnot gobegging. It will 
 doubtless be recognized by all of you, and will strike a tender 
 chord in every breast. It is, ‘‘ Little Kames! sleekest of 
 ponies, so nimble, fleet and trusty,—what senior can forget 
 thee!” Who will respond to that ? 
 
 The announcement of “Little Kames,” as predicted by 
 President GooDWIN, did indeed strike a tender chord in every 
 breast, as was testified by the shouts and laughter which greeted 
 the sentiment. Calls were made for a response from Mr. Kina. 
 
 Wm. H. Kine, Hsq., of Chicago, Class of ’46, rising, said : 
 
 Mr. President: I was on the Committee of Arrangements, 
 and three of our members are on for toasts. The arrange- 
 ment was that they should pay Brother CuLvER and myself a 
 liberal compensation if we would put them on, and we did so. 
 (Great laughter.) | 
 
 The Vice President Mr. Prerson: 
 
 We knew that Kine never did anything in his life without 
 being paid. (Renewed laughter.) 
 
 Mr. Kine: 
 
 Brother CuLveER and I receiving the compensation, and they 
 taking the office, we were even. (Cheers.) They are worthy 
 gentlemen, “all honorable men.” (Laughter.) Three better 
 men than they are I don’t know; do you, Mr. Chairman ? 
 
 The PRESIDENT : 
 
 Unless it be the fourth, now on the floor. (Laughter, and 
 ealls of ‘‘ Speak to the subject.’’) 
 
 2 
 
18 
 
 Mr. Krvn@ continued : 
 
 As my brethren have not spoken to the subject, I will be 
 excused for the same omission. (Laughter.) So far as little 
 Kames was concerned, I have almost forgotten him. There was 
 such a pony, I believe; but so far as he is concerned, I will 
 refer tomy Brother Prerson, who knew more of little Kames than 
 I did. Our class was so large that we had it divided into two 
 parts, and I was in the seconddivision. My Brother Pierson, 
 however, knew more of little Kames than of anything else, for I 
 used to notice that he always had the little book inhishat; and 
 if I was alittle bothered, he would refer to his hat. It wasa 
 standing recitation both tohim and me. (Laughter.) And that 
 was the most that either of us ever knew of Kames. (Mer- 
 riment.) Brother DEMAREST got up all these toasts. 
 
 Mr. Locke (interrupting) : 
 
 I object to the secrets of the Committee being disclosed. 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 Privilege! privilege! (Renewed merriment.) 
 
 Mr. Kine: 
 
 I don’t believe in keeping these things back. Now, gentle- 
 men, there is no law compelling me to speak about Kames; 
 and I believe I have done about as good justice to the little 
 fellow as any one has to the subject on which he was called 
 to speak; hence I may be excused, may I nut, Mr. President ? 
 
 The PRESIDENT : 
 
 Does Brother Kin@ want to know whether he has the privilege 
 of sitting down? 
 
 Mr. Kine: 
 
 I do. 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 No; itis not granted. It can’t be done. (Cheers.) 
 
 Mr. Kine: ; 
 
 Well, so far as little Kames was concerned, as I have hereto- 
 fore said, I knew very little about him. (Laughter.) Brother 
 Pierson knew all about him; and Ben. Harr, and Joun 
 
19 
 
 WENTWORTH knew infinitely more about him; and why they 
 were not called upon I don’t know. Everybody has been 
 applied to, but no one would take it. Well, brethren, so far as 
 Union College is concerned in general, and little Kames in 
 particular, I might be allowed to say a word, if I had not been 
 bought off; but I don’t think it would be becoming in me or 
 Brother CULVER to say anything, having received a compen- 
 sation to keep quiet, and allow Prerson, Locks and DEMAREST 
 to respond. (Laughter.) 
 
 The sixth regular toast was then announced as follows: 
 
 ‘‘Commencement Day: the most momentous in the calendar 
 before it came; never forgotten since it has passed; a red letter 
 day forever.”’ 
 
 Rey. JAMES Demarest, Jr., of Chicago, Class of ’52, being 
 called upon for a response, arose and said: 
 
 Mr. President and Brethren of the Alumni: The Commence- 
 ment Day that I remember best broke in cloudless splendor 
 over the beautifulscenery of the Mohawk Valley. Theclass that 
 was about to graduate were all very early astir. It was not 
 necessary for any bell, such as has been described here to-night, 
 to arouse any late sleepers that morning; we were all astir and 
 ready to meet our destiny. Of course the interest of that day 
 centered in the exercises at the Church, where, on the Com- 
 mencement scheme, rising for our orations, we were monarchs 
 of all we surveyed. And we surveyed an assemblage of the 
 beauty and fashion and wealth and social distinction of old 
 Dorp, and the whole surrounding country. Many of us 
 flourished batons, and were arrayed with rosettes; all of us, more 
 or less, with badges and distinctive marks of different kinds; allof 
 us big with the consciousness of our importance, and with high 
 hopes looking out into the great future. For we had indeed 
 reached the grand consummation to which we had been looking 
 forward even from the very moment of our entering college. 
 We were standing on the hill top; we were about to leave our 
 
20 
 
 familiar college haunts, indeed,—yet not with very great sad- 
 ness, it must be confessed, for we had been looking forward to 
 this great occasion for years. 
 
 Then, after the applause had died into silence,—after the 
 poetry was hushed, and the eloquence mute, and the bouquets 
 had all been gathered up,—the class circled around Dr. Nort, 
 and he, rising with his three-cornered hat, with the eloquent 
 utterances of courtly Latin phrase dropping from his lips, bestowed 
 upon us that dignity which we were counted worthy to wear, 
 the diploma which certified that we were young gentlemen of 
 noble moral character, of illustrious attainments, and of all 
 excellence within human reach. 
 
 Then, sir, there was one thing connected with Commence- 
 ment Day, as I remember it, which you will allow me to 
 mention, and which I know will be recalled with great pleasure 
 by those members of my own class here to-night, and that was 
 our final Class Supper on the evening of Commencement Day. 
 At that supper we were all gathered together, having made 
 arrangements for it beforehand. Mr. Davip Murray, now 
 Professor in Rutgers College, presided by choice of the Com- 
 mittee, who is at this time, | understand, urged for the position 
 of President to fill the chair of Dr. Norr. The supper pro- 
 ceeded with the utmost good feeling, and at its close sentiment 
 after sentiment was proposed, until the whole night was thus 
 spent; and just as day was breaking, we all gathered together, 
 marched up College Hill, and serenaded Dr. Nott, singing our 
 final good-bye. As we passed around the table before going 
 up to serenade the Doctor, shaking hands with each other, there 
 was not a dry eye in the room. It was indeed one of the most 
 affecting scenes I ever witnessed. 
 
 Well, sir, Commencement Day became a thing of the past, 
 and many things have filled up the interval between that Past 
 and this Present. Yet the preparations for this reunion, in 
 which, as one of the Committee appointed for this purpose, I 
 have been privileged to bear a part, have brought back afresh 
 those earlier days, and I feel as though I were in the midst of 
 
21 
 
 them again! It is as though that whole assembly on Com- 
 mencement Day were present before me as I stood up to speak 
 my piece. The whole scene comes back distinctly before my 
 mind. 
 
 In the autumn, sir, as we go into the orchard and pluck the 
 luscious fruit, and witness upon it the blended colors of the 
 spring blossoms, how can it be otherwise than that the memory 
 of the spring will be recalled? So to-night, as we are gather- 
 ing fruit of our lives, fruit from the tree that grew up under 
 the culture of Dr. Norr and his Faculty, the bloom and fresh- 
 ness of Commencement Day—the bursting thought and the 
 full promise of our lives in that blossoming of the tree of our 
 college course—are fresh again in memory; for all those colors 
 are now blending upon the fruits which we are permitted to 
 gather from the tree that is overspreading us in these later 
 years. (Loud applause.) 
 
 At the conclusion of Mr. Dremaregst’s remarks, the Ode 
 written by that gentleman for the occasion, was announced by 
 the President; and the Alumni, rising around the table, sang, 
 as only the sons of Union can sing, the following : 
 
 ODE, 
 
 (Written for the first Banquet of the Union College Alumni Association of the Northwest, 
 April 27, 1869.) 
 
 BY REV. JAMES DEMAREST, JR. 
 Air, ‘‘ Auld Lang Syne.” 
 
 The memories of by-gone days, 
 Come thronging in to-night, 
 Filling the backward-stretching ways 
 With radiant shapes of light. 
 We live again the life of yore, 
 Re-taste departed joys, 
 And tell the story o’er and o’er 
 Of the time when we were boys. 
 
 Cuorus—The grand old College days, 
 The dear old time, 
 When life was sweet as fragrant bays, 
 Or bells in chime. 
 
22 
 
 In Union’s academic shade 
 We conned the classic page ; 
 
 And with triangles, squares, and cubes, 
 Did mighty warfare wage. 
 
 At feet of learning’s chosen sons 
 We sat us down content, 
 
 And in mute rapture gathered round 
 Our old man eloquent. 
 
 Cuorus—In the grand old College days, 
 The dear old time, 
 When hours were gold, and hope was bold, 
 And fun, sublime. 
 
 With Alma Mater’s blessing fresh 
 Upon the brow of youth, 
 
 We passed away to Life’s great calls— 
 Its duty and its truth. 
 
 The years are telling on us now, 
 The toilis at its height,— 
 
 But ah, the past is present here, 
 We're boys again to-night! 
 
 Cuorus—We’re boys once more to-night, 
 Old Union’s boys, 
 And with song and cheer we echo here 
 The by-gone joys. 
 
 Oh, evermore within our hearts’ 
 Shall fond remembrance dwell, 
 
 Of those departed happy days 
 Whose story here we tell. 
 
 The West sends up its greeting shout 
 To Alma Mater dear! 
 
 Long live old Union in the East! 
 And our re-Union here! 
 
 Cuorus—Hail, Alma Mater, hail! 
 Hail, brothers dear! 
 Live, Union throned in Mohawk’s vale, 
 And Union here! 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 Gentlemen, we present to you, “The Alumni of Union who 
 
 have died in the service of their country ! 
 
 The sons of a com- 
 
 mon Alma Mater weep to-night over their honored graves. To 
 
23 
 
 them it has been given to illustrate a nobler heroism than even 
 the classic page could inspire with its record of immortal 
 names. Sic itur ad astra!’ (Applause.) To this sentiment 
 we ask a response from Brother Woop. 
 
 Witi1AM H. Woop, Esq., of Chicago, Class of ’44, responded 
 
 as follows: 
 
 Mr. President and Brethren of the Alumni: The marvelous 
 energy displayed by the people of the loyal States in suppress- 
 ing the Rebellion, and maintaining the integrity of the govern- 
 ment, as well as the magic power with which, during the great 
 struggle, they persevered, and at its close perpetuated, and 
 scattered throughout the land all the blessings of peace, is 
 without a parallel in history. The shock of the great conflict 
 was met; a half million of men disappeared from our popula- 
 tion, and billions of treasure from our resources; but now, 
 after four years have elapsed, we see no trace of the terrific 
 storm, in any of the outward developments of society. Like 
 the ocean, over which have swept and fought ‘ten thousand 
 fleets,’ the great wave of human life, and of human progress, 
 rolls onward, 
 
 “ Nor doth remain 
 A shadow of man’s ravage, 
 
 ” 
 
 Still in almost every home, however humble or great, will be 
 seen the vacantchair, or the picture of the absent hero, draped 
 in mourning. And thus in the home of our literary and 
 classic associations, are missed the forms of many who once 
 trod its honored halls. 
 
 It is not possible, (there is not time nor have I the means,) 
 to give the names or definite number of the graduates of Union 
 College who died for their country during the Rebellion. But 
 we know that the number was lamentably great, and comprises 
 many who were not only conspicuous in peace, but highly dis- 
 tinguished in the field. We mourn them to-night as having left 
 forever the ranks of our common brotherhood. We would 
 cherish their memory because they were, in the language of the 
 
24 
 
 sentiment just read, ‘“‘the sons of a common Alma Mater.” 
 But more than that, because they devoted their lives to the 
 service of their country, in her great struggle for national ex- 
 istence, that country beneath whose protecting arm every en- 
 terprise of science, of literature, of art, or of industry, has 
 flourished, chiefly because unrestrained by the trammels of 
 arbitrary power. 
 
 When the dread tocsin of war was first heard, and the Re- 
 public called upon her sons to rally to her support, her champ- 
 ions and defenders came forth from no titled ranks. Every 
 employment, profession, and calling, that ever felt the benign 
 influence of our free government, sent up its representatives. 
 The farm and the workshop, the printing office and the law 
 office, the bench and the pulpit, all alike poured forth their 
 recruits, transmuted unto heroes by the love of country. And 
 so, scattered through all the varied and most honored pursuits 
 of life, the ranks of our Alumni formed beneath the shadow of 
 old Union, where they had gathered inspirations of freedom in 
 classic story,—detailed their supports to that grander Union of 
 States in the mighty struggle, whose results have re-inspirited 
 with hopes of freedom the down trodden millions throughout 
 the world. All honor to the patriot scholar, who in the dark 
 hour of his country’s need, put on his armor and offered up his 
 life in her service! Let his memory be ever cherished and 
 held in sacred association with the proudest monuments of our 
 country’s glory. (Applause.) 
 
 And, as we trace upon the historic page the gallant deeds of 
 our brave defenders, let us, who are here assembled, and those 
 we represent, search over battlefield, and along the march, in 
 hospital, and military prison, for the record of those whose 
 names we would now honor; and when we make our pilgrimages 
 over the tragic scenes of our country’s struggles, and among 
 the countless mounds that all over the broad land lift up their 
 green verdure over the remains, and symbolize the glory of 
 those who heroically fell, fell that you and I might sit down in 
 peace at the festive board, or gather our ‘“‘jewels’’ unmolested 
 
- 
 
 25 
 
 about the family hearth, or toil with unfettered hands in the 
 great field of human progress, let us especially seek out the 
 sod beneath which sleeps the form of our departed brother, and 
 there strew plentifully our choicest flowers, and there offer our 
 most devoted benedictions. (Prolonged applause.) 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 The next regular toast is, “‘The Past and Future of old 
 Union,” upon which we will hear from Brother Powrrs. 
 
 The Rey. H. A. Powsrs, of Chicago, Class of ’50, rising in 
 response, said: 
 
 Mr. President and Gentlemen: Situated upon one of the 
 fairest slopes that command the valley of old Mohawk, sheltered 
 by hills and garlanded with flowers, her squares fringed by rich 
 meadows and looking westward, as if prophetic of the march of 
 empire, Union College, our venerable mother, for seventy-four 
 years has nursed and trained with a loving assiduity and wis- 
 dom the children committed to her care. How many, from all 
 quarters of the country during this period, have been gathered 
 to her arms, have felt her quickening life, have been sent forth 
 by her to their proper work ! 
 
 What a noble band could assemble, could all who have re- 
 ceived her tutelage and blessing, be summoned again at her 
 knee! Diplomatists, legislators, jurists, theologians, men of 
 science and of letters, scholars in every branch of learning, 
 and toilers in every field of enterprise, would be there. At 
 Union was laid the foundation to a great extent of their use- 
 fulness; there were fashioned the implements with which they 
 fought, and there were acquired the rudiments with which they 
 attained success; there were unfolded the germs of graceful 
 culture, and the ardent sympathies that in after time spurred 
 them on to danger and to sacrifice. A good mother to receive 
 and nurse them all; and on her is reflected the honor they have 
 won. Some, doubtless, received a larger portion of sugar plums 
 than they deserved; some, doubtless, needed more sharp and 
 
26 
 
 frequent applications of the maternal shoe than they enjoyed; 
 some who kindled royal hopes in the mind of that mother, have 
 disappointed her expectations, perhaps forfeited her: respect, 
 and some, over whom the good dame often sighed and wiped 
 her eyes, have become so famous that their freaks are fully 
 pardoned. However that is not surprising in so large a family. 
 (Laughter.) It is a noble band that call her mother, and 
 doubtless she is sufficiently proud of her boys. 
 
 The past of Union College, sir, is honorable to herself, to 
 New York, and to the whole Republic. Could that past be 
 written out, it would be the record of very much in the history 
 of our country, which is most admirable in the amenities of 
 literature, in gracious reforms, and in wholesome legislation. 
 The sons of Alma Mater have walked in every field of scholarly 
 philanthropy and patriotism. Tea thousand fibres of intel- 
 lectual life which ramify the commonwealth with electric energy 
 have their origin in her teeming brain. The generous currents 
 that flow through sweet and cultured souls, moulding to more 
 desirable forms our American civilization, have their fountain 
 in that warm maternal heart. If you would appreciate her 
 beneficent operation, you must gather up from the pulpit, the 
 forum, the press, the halls of science, the marts of commerce, 
 and the seclusion of pure homes, all that has had most signifi- 
 cant expression in the lives and labors of those who have re- 
 ceived their best impulses beneath her roof. We are not 
 ashamed of her record; nay, we point to it to-night with hon- 
 est pride. Age has not weakened her. Though nearly four 
 score years are on her brow, yet her charms are more winning 
 than in her blushing youth; and we cast into her lap to-night, 
 the choicest garlands of our gratitude and affection. 
 
 With her long experience, her ample appointments and facil- 
 ities for imparting instruction, she is prepared to do for future 
 generations, what she has done for the past. Yea, more and 
 better. She makes no mere empirical daubers in art or dilet- 
 tantes in literature, but men awake to the necessities of the 
 living present, men alive to the demands of the age and ready 
 
27 
 
 to grapple vigorously with the work that is given them to 
 do.. (Loud applause.) 
 
 For dear old Union we have the best hopes. As I look 
 down the years, I see her welcoming the eager youth with her 
 ancient hospitality, extending the range of her influence and 
 imparting wisdom to all the generations of the coming years. 
 Her success in the past is the augury and pledge of her pros- 
 perity in the future. The work she has accomplished in the 
 cause of sound education, is the prophecy of what she will ac- 
 complish hereafter, and of the place that she will fill in the 
 annals of the Republic. (Loud and long applause.) 
 
 Mr. Pierson, Vice-President : 
 
 -Mr. President, in responding to ‘‘ The Faculty,’ I omitted 
 to speak of one whose name has since been suggested to me, 
 and of whom I had no personal knowledge. I present the 
 name of Professor Taytor LrEwis, a profound linguist and a 
 distinguished man. I ask that the Rev. Dr. Van SantvoorpD 
 may be called upon to respond to that sentiment. 
 
 The Rey. C. Van Santvoorp, D. D., responded as follows : 
 
 Mr. President and Brethren of the Alumni: I have been 
 so short a time a resident of Chicago, that I scarce feel en- 
 titled to be enrolled among the Alumni of the Northwest. It 
 had been my purpose, therefore, to enjoy in silence the elo- 
 quence of others who have better claims than I have to repre- 
 sent the fraternity here; but theappeal of our worthy Vicz PREs- 
 IDENT to say something on a subject he has named, will warrant 
 me, even at this late hour, in occupying your attention for a 
 few moments. 
 
 Before speaking of Professor Lewis, however, with whom I 
 have the pleasure of a personal and somewhat intimate ac- 
 quaintance, I desire to refer to one to whom Professor LEwis 
 sustained close and endearing relations, and who, as having 
 belonged to the Faculty of our Alma Mater, adorning the 
 position he occupied, well deserves special mention on an occa- 
 sion like the present. 
 
28 
 
 He came to this country when young, being a child of one 
 of the German nationalities, so many of whose people are con- 
 stantly emigrating to this land, choosing it for their future 
 home. His family had neither wealth nor position suchas to 
 command a liberal education for the youth, and but for his own 
 marked abilities, ardent thirst for knowledge and resolute spirit 
 to acquire it at all hazards, he had perhaps not been distin- 
 guished from the masses of those constantly arriving on our 
 shores. These, however, he had—and by virtue of possess- 
 ing them, he pushed his way, step by step, over all obstacles 
 till the goal he panted to reach was attained, and he stood, 
 through his own conquering energy, among the educated men 
 of the country. In 1851 the name of Hi1as PEISSNER was 
 enrolled among the Faculty of Union College. He became 
 Assistant Professor of Latin and Professor of the German 
 language, and for a period of ten years adorned the position he 
 held, by ripe scholarship, unwearied devotion to his work, a 
 happy faculty of imparting knowledge, thorough ident‘ty with 
 the Institution he was connected with, a large heart and genial 
 manners that made him as popular socially, as he was with the 
 classes he taught. He became son-in-law to Professor LEwIs 
 during this period, and stronger ties than those of professional 
 duty and enthusiasm bound him to the interests of our good 
 old College within whose rugged walls his domestic circle had 
 its home. The rebellion broke out; and Professor PEISSNER 
 who had received the elements of.a military education in his 
 own country and felt the glow of martial inspiration flowing 
 from such a well-spring, longed and panted to throw himself 
 at once into the conflict in the cause of his adopted country. 
 For a year the remonstrances of his friends and family dis- 
 suaded him from embarking in the exciting contest. But then 
 his ardor could no longer be restrained. He felt that necessity 
 was on him to take part in the mighty and terrific struggle. He 
 broke away from his college associations—left the endearments 
 of home. He went to New York city to raise and organize a 
 regiment, succeeded in the work, was made Colonel of the 
 
29 
 
 regiment, and in the winter of 1862-3 found himself with his 
 command, a part of the army of the Potomac, ready to do and 
 suffer whatever the great cause might demand. The spring 
 came and with it the battle of Chancellorsville. Prof. Prtss- 
 NER’S regiment had been united with Howarp’s corps, which, 
 as is well known, occupied the extreme right on that dis- 
 astrous field. In the sudden and overwhelming attack by 
 ‘Stonewall Jackson” on this wing, Colonel Prtssnur fell, gal- 
 lantly fighting at the head of his regiment. In his life, thus pre- 
 maturely quenched, the country lost the services of one of its 
 most accomplished officers, one of its bravest, staunchest, 
 noblest defenders. His remains were borne to Schenectady, 
 where, in presence of a pensive throng, gathered in the College 
 Chapel, the obsequies were performed, the services being con- 
 ducted by President Hickox. Thence the remains were 
 conveyed to Fort Miller and tenderly deposited in the family 
 burying ground, where Professor Lewis’ kindred sleep—dust 
 to dust—this, worthy to commingle with the most precious that | 
 lay slumbering there. I will only add, that our Alma Mater 
 has thus shown herself entitled to the honor, of contributing her 
 full share of heroes to defend the life of the Republic, not only 
 from her Alumni and undergraduates, but has contributed from 
 her very Faculty, a victim who laid his noble life down, a will_ 
 ing, and T doubt not, a cheerful sacrifice, on the altar of his 
 adopted country. 
 
 Professor TayLor Lewis became connected with Union Col- 
 lege in 1849. This was three years after the graduation of 
 our Brother Prerson, who has paid such eloquent tributes to 
 the members of the Faculty whose instructions he enjoyed. I 
 regret that a lack of personal knowledge of Professor LEwts 
 has prevented our friend from embracing him also in his dis- — 
 criminating estimate, and that the task of doing this has thus 
 fallen to other and less capable hands. Professor Lrwis’s 
 name and fame are familiar to all the brethren present to-night, 
 though some may not know him personally. He began his 
 career as a lawyer in the little village of Fort Miller, on the 
 
30 
 
 Hudson, but the business was not to his taste. I am afraid 
 that Coke upon Lyttleton and Blackstone with pleadings and 
 precedents, were rather neglected in the preference shown to 
 the Greek and Latin classics. I have heard the Professor say 
 that his highest joy in these early days consisted in his study. 
 of Greek and Hebrew, his labors, delightedly pursued, reach- 
 ing far into the night. He soon came to be a teacher, first of 
 a classical school at Waterford, N. Y., was afterwards Pro- 
 fessor in the New York University, thence passed to the chair 
 of Languages and Oriental Literature in the college from 
 which he had graduated in 1820, and where it has been his lot 
 ever since to labor. The greater part of his life, therefore, 
 has been devoted to the cause of education. As a Greek 
 scholar he is one of the ripest and best, with scarce an equal 
 in the country since Frofessor Felton’s decease, and with few, 
 if any, superiors abroad. With the poetry and philosophy of 
 the Greeks, with the great classical works whose value is at- 
 tested by their stability, he is critically familiar. His knowl- 
 edge of the Hebrew, with its cognate tongues, the Syriac and 
 Arabic, is scarcely less thorough; while his acquaintance with 
 the German is such that he has been selected to translate the 
 book of Genesis, one of the most difficult portions of Lange’s 
 great Commentary. His Notes on this book, and his critical 
 treatise on the rivers of Paradise, show rare ability in bibli- 
 cal exegesis, and will well repay the thoughtful attention of 
 any alumnus present who has happened not to peruse them. 
 As a biblical critic, indeed, Professor Lewis has few peers 
 among the scholars of the country. He is, moreover, an au- 
 thor who has produced books which have made their mark upon 
 the times; while his contributions to theological and literary 
 periodicals, and to the press, on a variety of topics of interest 
 and importance, have given him an enviable and permanent 
 reputation among the first thinkers and writers of the age. I 
 do not hesitate to say that of all the Professors our Alma Ma- 
 ter has had, no man has done her more honor in this country 
 and abroad, than Professor LEwis,—a scholar, indeed, of 
 
31 
 
 whom any institution might well feel proud. He is, withal, a 
 man of a devout and reverent spirit, as modest and unosten- 
 tatious as he is learned and gifted, a true man as well as a true 
 scholar, devoting his high culture and attainments manfully 
 and faithfully to the service of God, truth, and humanity. Of 
 late years he has been afflicted with extreme deafness, which 
 has made conversation difficult and class recitations impossible. 
 He has been obliged to instruct by lecturing wholly, and even 
 this, physical debility has at times interrupted. May his health 
 grow firmer, and his valuable life be long spared to pursue his 
 loved and honored labors. (Cheers.) 
 
 Before I sit down, Mr. President, permit me to say a single 
 word in regard to another member of the Faculty with whom I 
 have the honor also of being acquainted somewhat intimately, 
 and whose name has not been specially mentioned to-night. I 
 refer to the Rev. Dr. Hickox. (Cheers.) Dr. Hickox gradu- 
 ated at Union College in the class of 1820, the same class with 
 Prof. Lewis, containing also WitL1AM H. SEwarb, and the 
 late Witu1AM Kent. It is seldom indeed that a class has 
 graduated numbering a quartette of names so distinguished as 
 this class of 1820. Dr. Hickox went to Union College in 1852 
 as Professor of Mental and Moral Science and Vice President 
 of the College. He removed thither from Auburn Theological 
 Seminary, where he had held a professorship since 1844, hay- 
 ing previously been Professor in theology in the Western 
 Reserve College for eight years, viz: from 1836. Thus thirty- 
 two years of his life, comprising its most vigorous and mature 
 periods, have been spent in the work of the practical instructor. 
 The venerable Dr. Norr died in 1866, soon after which Dr. 
 Hickok was duly elected to fill the vacant place, though for 
 some six years before Dr. Nort’s decease, his physical infirmi- 
 ties caused the chief care and direction of the Institution to 
 devolve upon the Vice President. ‘To sit in the chair, occupied 
 for such an amazing term of years by one so renowned, honored 
 and beloved as Dr. Nort, must of necessity, prove a trying 
 position toanyman. The contrast between Dr. Hickok on a 
 
32 
 
 Commencement occasion and his predecessor, was broad and 
 striking. Dr. Norr was all art,—Dr. Hickok allnature. The 
 former had an imposing presence, an impressive manner, and, 
 adroitly punctilious in details, everything he did or said, blend- 
 ing grace with dignity, was just the right thing in the right 
 place. The latter careless of the graces and of the subtle 
 niceties of address and manner, performed his part with robust 
 directness that seemed to border on abruptness, going straight 
 to his object with unstudied action and strong words that 
 expressed precisely his thought. His very naturalness had its 
 charm, set off as it was, by the evidence of sturdy strength and 
 deep earnestness and sincerity. As a vigorous independent 
 thinker, Dr. Hickok enjoys a reputation not bounded by his 
 country. He occupies indeed, by well nigh common consent, 
 the foremost place among the metaphysical writers of the age. 
 In the pulpit, however, but little of the metaphysician is seen, 
 in his style of expression at least. His discourse is severely 
 logical indeed, but limpid as a brook, and marked by a directness 
 and simplicity in striking contrast to certain of his published 
 works. Socially, he is genial, frank and affable. With the large 
 numbers of young men whose education he directed and whose 
 character he helped to mould, he was always popular, while the 
 communities among which his lot was cast held him in highest 
 estimation. The success of his efforts in behalf of Union 
 College was somewhat impeded by circumstances not necessary 
 here to explain, but the conscientious earnestness of the efforts 
 themselves, and the good fruits springing from his long connec- 
 tion with the College and hearty devotion to his work, no pupil 
 of his certainly, and I believe no unprejudiced person, will 
 deny. Dr. Hickok resigned the Presidency of the College in 
 1868, having held the office two years, and is living now in 
 scholarly seclusion and quietude in Amherst, Mass. Ina letter 
 received from him a few months ago, if I may present a single ~ 
 extract, hesays: ‘‘ lamin good healthand spirits, writing about 
 seven hours a day, and with no annoying interferences. I enjoy 
 my freedom from former unpleasantnesses greatly, and have 
 never lived so happily as now.”’ 
 
33 
 
 I had wished to say a few words in regard to the College 
 generally, as I have perhaps a more intimate acquaintance 
 with its internal workings than many of the brethren, owing to 
 a residence of some years in Schenectady, but the time forbids. 
 I beg in conclusion to offer the following sentiment : 
 
 ‘The Rev. Dr. Hickox, late President of Union College: 
 widely known for his attainments in metaphysical science, he is 
 not less favorably known for his broad and catholic spirit, sim- 
 plicity and purity of character, and energetic and successful 
 efforts in the cause of education. His long connection with 
 Alma Mater and unselfish devotion to her interests, entitle him 
 to grateful recognition on the part of her sons. May the 
 closing years of his life be as serene and happy as the former 
 ones have been honorable and beneficent.’”’ (Applause.) 
 
 The Vice President, Mr. Prerson, then read the following 
 extract from a letter received from Professor JAcKsoN, relating 
 to the Reunion: 
 
 ‘“¢Good reporters will send us an account of your doings, got 
 up in the most approved style. A great deal depends upon the 
 mode and style of dishing up a public meeting, as well as a 
 dinner. Please send copies of the newspapers containing your 
 proceedings to Foster, and two to me, for everyone here willbe 
 crazytoreadthestory. Weshall of course haveitreprinted in the - 
 Schenectady Union, and send extra papers everywhere. Foster 
 may possibly go to Albany, but it is doubtful. I, of course, 
 remain here to keep the Sophs. quiet. When I was a student, 
 we should have supplemented the whole affair by a frolic of 
 some sort at home; under the present circumstances, it is per- 
 haps’ better that the boys should be quiet. (Laughter.) 
 
 ‘¢ And now an important point. At your meeting ascertain 
 as nearly as possible, whom we may expect to see here next 
 Commencement—the Wednesday preceding the 4th of July, a 
 new arrangement you know. Ample accommodations will be 
 furnished by the citizens of Schenectady for all, and they will 
 be received with arms wide open here at the old College. A 
 
 3 
 
54 
 
 new state of things here, and why? Because the Faculty con- 
 trol here now. Give to the Alumni present the warmest, most 
 emphatic invitation for Commencement, from PEARSON, FosTER 
 and myself.”’ (Cheers.) 
 
 Mr. Kina then read a letter received from Wm. EK. CRAMER, 
 Esq., Editor of the Milwaukee Daily Hveniny Wisconsin, Class 
 of ’38, expressive of his regret at being unable to attend the 
 Reunion, and offering the following sentiment : 
 
 ‘‘Union College: often sneered at by literary pedants as 
 ‘the Botany Bay of Colleges,’ has produced a corps of men so 
 eminent in the forum, in the law, in the pulpit, in the press, in 
 the tented field, and in the business walks of life, that she has 
 proved herself to be, by this illustrious record, the compeer of 
 any literary institution in our great Republic.’’ (Cheers.) 
 
 JoHN T. Wentwortu, Esq., of Geneva, Wis., class of ’46, 
 being called upon to respond, said: 
 
 Mr. President: It is hardly fair in my Brother Kin@ to 
 call on me to respond to the sentiment proposed by Brother 
 Cramer. Were he here himself he could do it justice. Mr. 
 CRAMER is the editor of one of our leading Milwaukee papers. 
 And let me say right here that, although you claim here in 
 Chicago the honor of having originated this idea of having a 
 Northwestern Reunion, yet more than two years ago the plan 
 was first proposed in Wisconsin. More than two years ago I 
 went to Mr. Cramer in Milwaukee, and talked the matter 
 over, and we were intending to form an Alumni Association in 
 Wisconsin. Of course we would in no way conflict with this ; 
 and we hope to have such an association yet. And I venture 
 the assertion that, upon a call of one week, we can gather to- 
 gether in the city of Milwaukee, fifty graduates of Union Col- 
 lege from the State of Wisconsin alone. (Cheers.) And we 
 have men there, too. My Brother Ktn@ is, in his usual way, 
 inclined to speak disparagingly of Milwaukee as a pleasant 
 little suburb of Chicago. Nevertheless, we have genuine, live 
 
30 
 
 men there, many of whom you know. You know Justice Cotg, 
 of our Supreme Court; you know Judge Huspett, and Mr. 
 Urnam, and Mr. Watpo, and scores of other men there 
 equally distinguished,— distinguished upon the bench, at the 
 
 bar, in the pulpit, and they are all graduates of Union. 
 (Hear ! hear !) 
 
 Sir, in regard to the sentiment proposed, I am aware that 
 the New England colleges have been accustomed to sneer at 
 Union. I had the honor to pass my Freshman year and a por- 
 tion of the Sophomore year in Amherst College; I know the 
 sentiment that prevailed there: they looked upon Union as 
 the “‘ Botany Bay”’ of colleges. It is true, sir, that Union 
 College has received students sometimes who had passed from 
 the New England colleges, and under the guidance of Dr. Nort 
 they were made men; while, if he had turned them off coldly, as 
 they do in those New England colleges, they would have inev- 
 itably sunk. But he took them and reared them up with his 
 own magic power, and they became men. 
 
 We are indebted, gentlemen, not to Union College as such, 
 but to the presiding genius that ruled and governed Union 
 College. It was the infusion of Dr. Norrt’s spirit into the 
 spirit of his pupils, that has made Union College graduates 
 what they are; not the mere curriculum of that college course 
 — that is evanescent and passes away,— but it was the spirit 
 which Dr. Nort infused into all with whom he came in contact. 
 To him, therefore, be the praise of all our success, if success 
 we have had. I feel indebted to him personally, though I admit 
 that I have been called before him at times, perhaps, in what we 
 would hardly consider a complimentary manner. (Laughter.) 
 Yet, I feel indebted to him more than I could ever repay. 
 
 And while I am up let me mention another member of the 
 Faculty who has been omitted, a man with whom I have often 
 conversed with profit, with whom I was on intimate terms, a 
 man of extreme delicacy of feeling and manner, a man who 
 would never approach you and accuse you of any peccadillo, 
 but would come very gently to your room and softly announce 
 
36 
 
 those well remembered words, ‘‘ The Dr. would like to see 
 you.” Need I add that I speak of “Old Jimmy?’’ (Great 
 laughter, and cheers for “‘ Old Jimmy.” 
 
 Pardon me, gentlemen, for detaining you; but I want to 
 mention one little circumstance illustrative of the character of 
 Dr. Nott. (‘Go on, go on.) Our class had reached the 
 senior year, and were about graduating. Dr. Norr came to me 
 one day, and said he, ‘I have a little account against you.” 
 Said I, ‘‘ Doctor, I have various little accounts in this town.’ 
 Said he, “I have charged to you some thirty or forty absences 
 from prayer.’ Icould not deny it. I wasn’t a good book- 
 keeper, I told him, and didn’t pretend to keep accurate ac- 
 counts, and I presumed his charges were correct. He told me 
 that the matter must be settled. I replied that I regretted it 
 very much, but really my exchequer was not full; I admitted 
 the account, and was ready to confess judgment. Said he, “I 
 will tell you what I will do: you go and write a Hebrew oration 
 for Commencement, and I will wipe out the account.” 
 (Laughter.) It chanced that I had studied Hebrew at another 
 school for three years before I entered college, and hence I 
 possibly understood it better than our theological brothers who 
 study it for one term, and become proficient in the language, 
 (laughter,) and come out fully fledged, you know, and under- 
 stand all about the profane writers, and talk like Jews. (Great 
 merriment.) But as Isaid, I had a little knowledge of Hebrew 
 that I had gained by three years’ study, and the Doctor had 
 found it out in some way. I was willing to pay the debt in 
 that way if I could; so I got excused for two or three weeks, 
 went home, and wrote out a grand literary production indeed. 
 I then undertook to translate it, but couldn’t find any terms in 
 my dictionary. (Laughter.) I got discouraged, and fell back 
 on Professor YATES. Said he, ‘‘ Just throw that aside; take 
 your dictionary, and take a Bible scene. You will find the 
 terms very easy.’ I did so, and wrote it out. But then the 
 task of committing it was before me; and from the time I be- 
 gun I never went through it without a failure. The Saturday 
 
 ? 
 
37 
 
 before Commencement I went down to the church for the last 
 time, and utterly failed. Dr. Norr took me aside, and en- 
 couraged me by saying that I might be one of that class who 
 in an emergency, and under high pressure, would come 
 out allright. I put my oration into my pocket, and never 
 looked at it, and never referred to it again, till I went upon the 
 stage. Then, when that blank had passed away from my mind, 
 everything seemed as clear as daylight, and I could have ex- 
 temporised in Hebrew. (Laughter and applause.) 
 
 Two years ago I visited Union College, after an absence of 
 twenty years. It seemed strange to me that almost a quarter 
 of a century had passed from my graduation day. I passed 
 over the hallowed ground; I visited the cemetery; I knelt at 
 the grave of Norr; I plucked an evergreen from that grave, 
 and sent it in a letter to my wife. For myself, gentlemen, I 
 feel proud that I am a graduate of Union College. I under- 
 stand there is a proposition to removeit to Albany; but I think 
 it would be the worst step that could be taken. Let us lift our 
 voices in earnest protest, as one man, against the removal of the 
 dear old College from Schenectady. Union College stands 
 there proudly, as she has stood through all the years, and there 
 let her stand forever. (Loud applause.) 
 
 The PRESIDENT: 
 
 I desire to recall the memory of one member of the Faculty 
 whose name has not been mentioned here to-night, Prof. Ben- 
 JAMIN F’. JOSLIN, appointed to the chair of Mathematics and 
 Natural Philosophy, in 1827, which position he filled with honor 
 to himself and the College, until his resignation ten years later. 
 He was an able and learned man, universally admired by all 
 who knew him. He died in the city of New York in 1861. 
 
 I might mention another name, not of the Faculty, yet con- 
 nected with Union College. I refer to Emperor KNox, the 
 city barber. (Laughter.) Emperor ‘‘Nox”’ he was called by 
 the students. Well do I remember going into his barber shop, 
 and seeing over the door the words, ‘‘ Nee témeo, nee sperno.”’ 
 
38 
 
 I asked him, ‘Emperor, who got up that Latin for you?” 
 “Got it up myself,’ was the reply; ‘‘do you think I don’t 
 know classics!’ (Laughter.) 
 
 One little incident occurs to me just now illustrating Dr. 
 Nort’s faculty of drawing out men, and ascertaining what was 
 in them. You all remember this faculty of the Doctor. I 
 recollect on one occasion we had got entirely through the class, 
 and coming around to me, the Doctor said, ‘‘ Well, my boy, 
 what is—an interjection?’ Looking up, I replied, ‘Its an 
 exclamation of surprise at the folly of sinners.’’ (Laughter.) 
 
 Brethren, there remains one more regular toast, which I have 
 reserved as the last and best. I give you, “ The Girl I left 
 behind me.” (Cheers.) I can’t respond to this myself, since 
 I did not leave any girl behind me, it being a part of my col- 
 lege education to get a wife in Schenectady ; and she is over on 
 Rush street now, thank God, after forty years of sojourning 
 together. (Applause.) 
 
 Rey. Geo. I. Kine, of Jersyville, Ill., Class of ’37, being 
 loudly and repeatedly called upon, said : 
 
 Mr. President: It is hardly fair to call upon me to respond 
 to this sentiment. Iwas not much in that line of business 
 while I was in College. Being naturally very bashful, not to 
 say modest, my chief interest in this matter consisted in looking 
 on and seeing others enjoy themselves. However, with the 
 Rey. Peter VAN Nest at the table, it will not do for me to 
 deny all acquaintance with the fair daughters of Schenectady 
 when I was young and they were younger. 
 
 The sentiment under consideration, to which, however I do 
 not propose to speak, recalls by a very tender and somewhat 
 peculiar association the name of another Professor not yet 
 alluded to this evening. I refer to Prof. Epwarp SavaGe, 
 who graduated and was appointed tutor in 1835, and elected 
 Professor of Chemistry in 1837. He was a very worthy gen- 
 tleman, modest and retiring, a fine scholar and a man of prom- 
 ise and culture. But like too many other men of genius, by a 
 
39 
 
 too close application to study his constitution broke down and 
 he went South in 1839 to recover his health. He soon sank 
 under his disease and died among strangers, leaving his young, 
 beautiful and accomplished wife an early widow. In 1848, it 
 was my privilege, while wandering in that southern clime, and 
 when a like dark cloud overhung my own pathway, to visit and 
 dress his grave. It is in a secluded spot, near the beautiful 
 village of Quincy, in the State of Florida. In that far off and 
 lonely spot I dropped a tear over his grave. 
 
 I propose to you ‘‘The memory of EDWARD SavaGeE: early 
 dead, but not forgotten.” 
 
 There is another name which ought not to be passed over in 
 silence. W. M. GILLESPIE was elected Professor of ‘ Civil 
 Engineering and Mathematics”’ in the year 1845, and died in 
 the year 1868. He was a man of eminence in his profession. 
 He is well known as the translator of Compte’s Positive Philos- 
 ophy and as the author of a valuable work on Civil Engineer- 
 ing and Surveying. My personal acquaintance with Prof. 
 GILLESPIE was limited, but I am not willing that so distinguish- 
 ed a gentleman and scholar should pass unmentioned on this 
 occasion. (Applause.) , 
 
 Cuaries L. Easton, of Chicago, Class of ’63, being then 
 called upon to respond to the sentiment, said : 
 
 Fellows of the Alumni of “‘ Old Union”: Doubtless, be- 
 cause | am a graduate of only a few years, you have called 
 upon me, unexpectedly to myself, to respond to this sentiment, 
 presuming I could do so more readily than you who have been 
 longer separated from college scenes and the fair creature the 
 sentiment recalls. I hope, however, I shall not tarnish 
 your reputation for gallantry to the fair sex, which every son 
 of old Union, especially those who were impressed with the 
 discourses of ‘‘Captain Jack” on etiquette, is known to pos- 
 sess, if in also apprehending this as your motive, I charge you 
 with cruelty and a want of regard for that affection you so 
 assiduously cultivated, and then faithlessly abandoned when 
 
40) 
 
 you finished your college course and entered upon the realities 
 of life, in not asking her who was the subject of so much at- 
 tention, to become yours for ‘‘ better or worse’”’ in the life in 
 which you have now become such prominent actors. 
 
 As for the worthy PrustpentT and VicE-PRESIDENT of this 
 Association, who have confessed to you that the partners of 
 their years are their college brides, I especially exempt them 
 from the charge, and in behalf of her whom, by this senti- 
 ment, [ am called to represent, I extol them with having been 
 “faithful over a few things ;”’ and as their success in life is so 
 apparent to you, I need not bid them enter upon its joys. 
 But to you who were less faithful in this regard, to disturb 
 your consciences, let me recall the vision of her whom you left 
 behind. The dimpled chin, the fair face, the pleasing eye, 
 the auburn hair, and that mirthful disposition, were the expo- 
 nents of her with whom you, during your Sophomore and 
 Senior days, flirted, and whom you caressed as only college 
 students know how to do; with whom you had so many Satur- 
 day-afternoon walks in that beautiful garden; who was your 
 attendant at church on sabbath evenings, and your partner in 
 the many and many a boat-ride on that beautiful Mohawk 
 River, or to the picnics on those romantic islands in that me- 
 andering stream, and the tramps to the Revolutionary Soldiers 
 Home, to parties, balls, and concerts, and that eventful time, 
 Commencement week,— which, in incident and number, the 
 mere mention of all must recall their occurrence with a fresh- 
 ness that all the years which have intervened cannot erase. 
 But if these are not sufficient, let that package of bzllet doua, 
 or that pale photograph which your wives have kept from your 
 view, for fear that your affection for them might be lessened, 
 be again inspected, and if your faces do not indicate the recol- 
 lections of the happiest days of your l'ves, then your increasing 
 years have buried too deep in your hearts that old love of your 
 college days. 
 
 For myself, I must confess that the mere repetition of the 
 sentiment recalls all that I have alluded to with such a reality 
 
41 
 
 and pleasure, that I am almost tempted to solicit her com- 
 panionship with me for the life that is spread before me among 
 you; but my youth forbids, and I presume I shall be obliged 
 to content myself by once a year, as I assemble with you at 
 these festivities, and feast upon the recollections of the days 
 with our Alma Mater, coupling with the regard we to-night 
 render to that loved institution nestled in the valley of the 
 Mohawk, a kind consideration for the fair dames of “old 
 Dorp,”” who made those days passed within her hospitable 
 society pleasant and happy, to be remembered by us all. 
 (Cheers. ) 
 
 At the conclusion of Mr. Haston’s remarks, the names of 
 Professors CHARLES A. Joy, CHARLES A. SEELEY, and JOHN 
 NEWMAN, members of the Faculty of Union College, were 
 presented by gentlemen present as having been omitted, and a 
 few fitting words were said in connection with the names sug- 
 gested. The Alumni then joined in the favorite “Song to Old 
 Union,” as sung at the close of Commencement exercises : 
 
 SONG TO OLD UNION. 
 
 BY PH. LUDLOW, 6 6. 
 
 Arr—‘‘ Sparkling and Bright.” 
 
 Let the Grecian dream of his sacred stream, 
 And sing of the brave adorning, 
 That Phoebus weaves from his laurel leaves, 
 At the golden gates of Morning; 
 But the brook that bounds through Union’s grounds 
 Gleams bright as the Delphic water, 
 And a prize as fair as a god may wear, 
 Is a dip from our Alma Mater! 
 
 Cuorus.—Then here’s to thee, the brave and free, 
 Old Union smiling o’er us, 
 And for many a day, as thy walls grow gray, 
 May they ring with thy children’s chorus. 
 
42 
 
 Could our praises throng on the waves of song, 
 Like an Orient fleet gem-bringing, 
 
 We would bear to thee the argosy, 
 And crown thee with pearls of singing, 
 
 But thy smile beams down beneath a crown, 
 Whose glory asks no other ; 
 
 We gather it not from the green sea-grot— 
 ’Tis the love we bear our Mother! 
 
 Cuorus.—Then here’s to thee, the brave and free, 
 Old Union smiling o’er us, 
 And for many a day, as thy walls grow gray, 
 May they ring with thy children’s chorus. 
 
 Let the joy that falls from thy dear old walls, 
 Unchanged brave Time’s on-darting, 
 
 And our only tear falls once a year 
 On hands that clasp ere parting ; 
 
 And when other throngs shall sing thy songs, 
 And their spell once more hath bound us, 
 
 Our faded hours shall revive their flowers, 
 And the Past shall live around us. 
 
 Cuorus.—Then here’s to thee, the brave and free, 
 Old Union smiling o’er us, 
 And for many a day, as thy walls grow gray, 
 May they ring with thy children’s chorus. 
 
 Mr. PIERSON, rising at the close of the song, said: 
 
 Mr. President and Brethren: I confess that when I came to 
 Chicago in December last, the second time that I ever visited 
 it in my life, coming from what had been my home for twenty- 
 five years, surrounded by friends dear to me, it seemed like 
 rending the dearest ties of life. But, among the very first 
 things which I met, was a notice to attend a meeting prelimi- 
 nary to an organization of this Association ; and I assure you 
 that this meeting has been like renewing the springs of my 
 youth. Iam glad that whenI came here to this great, growing 
 
43 
 
 Northwest, so great and so growing that the people of the Hast 
 are not able to believe in its growth when you tell them of it, 
 I tell you that I am glad to find here so many of the sons of 
 Union, and I feel as though I was at home again. (Cheers.) 
 
 Rev. Peter 8. VAN Nest, Class of ’38, then spoke as fol- 
 
 lows: 
 
 Mr. President: I rise to say that in coming four hundred 
 miles to attend this Association, I think I have shown my ap- 
 preciation of what I expected to find here; and I would say 
 that I knew when coming, for I had been here many times be- 
 fore, that I would not be disappointed. (Cheers.) But, sir, 
 my expectations have been more thanrealized. And whenever 
 these Reunions occur in future, whether I am four hundred or 
 four thousand miles away, I shall not feel it any very great 
 burden to attend. (Applause.) 
 
 Mr. Prerson then said: 
 
 Mr. President: The telegraph has been placed gratuitously 
 at our disposal. (‘‘Good! good!” and cheers.) You have 
 seen how promptly they have responded. They have kept a 
 messenger here the whole evening, and not only that, but I 
 have been called out to be assured that anything we might re- 
 quire, would be at our disposal. It has not only been hand- 
 somely done, but it has been very generously done. I there- 
 fore move, sir, that the proprietors of the Western Union 
 Telegraph be thanked, not only for their courtesy, but for their 
 generosity. (Applause.) 
 
 The motion prevailed unanimously. The thanks of the 
 Alumni were also voted to the President, Vice President, and 
 Committee of Arrangements, for their labors in bringing about 
 the Reunion ; to the proprietors of the Sherman House for the 
 elegant banquet prepared for the occasion; and to JAMES L. 
 Aiian, Esq., of the Chicago bar, who, at the invitation of the 
 President, had reported the proceedings for publication. 
 
tb 
 
 The following are copies of dispatches received during the 
 evening from other Alumni Associations in different parts of 
 the country, to all of which suitable replies were sent : 
 
 ‘Sr. Louis, April 27th, 1869. ° 
 “¢ To Alumni of the Northwest, Sherman House : 
 
 ‘The Alumni of the Father of Waters to our brethren of 
 the lake; our souls are alive to the memories of Union. May 
 her sons multiply and prosper. 
 
 ‘¢THoMAS ALLEN, President.”’ 
 
 “Rocuester, N. Y., April 27, 1869. 
 “To Alumni of Chicago, Sherman House: 
 
 ‘Rochester Alumni congratulate their brethren of the 
 Northwest. 
 ‘6 GENESER.’’ 
 
 ‘¢ Burrao, N. Y., April 27th, 1869. 
 ‘¢ To the President of the Alumni Association, Sherman House : 
 
 ‘‘The Alumni of Buffalo send a fraternal greeting to the 
 sons of old Union in Chicago and vicinity.” 
 
 ‘ALBANY, April 27th, 1869. 
 “To thePresident of the Alumni Association of Union College: 
 
 ‘‘ Your fellow Alumni of this vicinity send greeting. We 
 swear allegiance to our Alma Mater. Are you with us? 
 
 ‘¢TiHe ALUMNI OF ALBANY CITY.”’ 
 
 ‘“¢ New York, April 27th. 
 
 ‘¢ Your brethren living in and near New York, assembled to- 
 night one hundred and sixty strong, send greeting with kind 
 remembrances of ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ to class-mates and chums, 
 one with us we trust in an ever abiding love for Alma Mater 
 and interest in her future prosperity. 
 
 ‘¢ NEW YoRK ALUMNI.” 
 
45 
 
 Letters were received by the Committee of Arrangements 
 from the following named Alumni, who were unable to attend 
 the Reunion. The great number of these communications pre- 
 vents their publication at length : 
 
 Hon. Luvi Hussey, Milwaukee, 2) omen (DECEIT MT ERiie 
 THomas ALLEN, Esq., St. Louis, = - - Sy Lonce 
 DANIEL Goopwin, Esq., Detroit, - - - cE iis 13 
 A. Banta, Esq., Fox Lake, Wis., - - Poly LBAG. 
 Rev. Wm. T. Mituer, Peoria, Il., - - Pol Haat, 
 Wm. M. Murray, Esq., Sioux City, Iowa, oe LEG he 
 WiLBeER F. BRoMFIELD, Esq., Mendota, I1., Si eLoo: 
 HUBS Currity Hey eBesvori Dam Wise f-) | © 1847. 
 M. M. Ham, Esq., Dubuque, Lowa, - - cL Sou: 
 E. E. Barney, Esq., Dayton, Ohio, - - Ahh cd Heels it 
 Rev. L. F. Waupo, Oneida, Ill, = - - iy Sate Ue 
 Frank Puetps, Esq., Burlington, Iowa, - ©1854, 
 Hon. Isaac PENDLETON, “Sioux City, Iowa, te Reta 
 Cuas. F. Hatou, Esq., Chicago, - - - nea Reishi y 
 Hon. VeRNoN TicHENoR, Waukesha, Wis., Cen Lect 
 Rev. 8S. G. Spres, Dubuque, Lowa, - - cote LSoo. 
 
 Rey. Sizas Torresen, D. D., Lexington, Ky., foe tsao! 
 
46 
 
 The proceedings were marked throughout with the utmost 
 cordiality and harmony. No mere report, however accurate, 
 can do justice to the genial spirit that seemed to pervade all 
 the Alumni present, finding expression in college songs and 
 jests, and old-time memories. Loyalty to their Alma Mater . 
 was the sentiment uppermost in all hearts, and the occasion 
 cemented still closer that devotion to her interests for which 
 the sons of Union are justly distinguished. It was not until the 
 ‘wee sma’ hours ayant the twa'l,”’ that the Alumni parted, 
 with heartfelt adieus and shaking of hands, to the music of 
 “Auld Lang Syne.’ 
 
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