T II R II B 8 l K It IAN S T U I) 12 N T
bo obtained without a thorough numil
in id religious training at the aamo time.
The Chancellor warned the people of No
oraska against allowing immortality to
poison the head waters of their educational
system referring to the Uniycrsity.
Hon. James Monroe lectured twico at
tho Opera House, the first lime on last.
Monday evening for the benefit of the
Palladian and Union Societies on "Pop
ular Errors concerning Congress and
Congressmen," in which lie showed that
members of Congress are not such awful
bad eggs alter all, behaving quite as well
at Washington as elsewhere, and that their
salaries arc not big enough to allow of
anything but legitimate expenses any
how. On Tuesday evening Mr. Monroe
delivered tho University Address on the
"Relation of Education to National Pros,
perity."
The "students, faculty, regents and cit
izens generally," met on the University
campus about nine o'clock this morning,
and marched in procession to tho Opera
House, where the commencement exor
cises were hold. The procession was
headed bj the cadet battalion and their
baud, ana the whole under charge of
Lieut. Webster, assisted by his aides,
Captains Fairfield and Robinson and
Lieutenants Holmes and Olmstead. At
tho hall tho usual early crowd had assom
bled, the parquotto only being reserved
for tho students. In front of jho foot-
lights worn piled up the floral gifts to the
class of '82, and at the rear of the stago
shone their motto, Palmam Qui Meruit
Feral. Aftor an invocation by Rov. Mr.
Campbell, the graduates delivered their
addresses as follows:
In discussing "Nebraska's Resources,"
Mr. Learner made an argument for agricul
tural education, that young men may
understand values, and labor for tho
development of agriculture in tho state.
Wealth and intelligence count higher in
agricultural than in any other pursuit,
and just now tho future has a brighter
glow for the farmer. By educating his
son lie elevates him socially and politi
cally and makes a good citizen, and the
farmer now oven calls on the nation for a
position in its highest council, the cab
inet. Mr. Byron B. Davis said that men had
called "Victor Hugo" visionary, but tho
present government was proof of his
early predictions. In politics ho was ever
an extremist; in literature, a naturalist,
and in writing, as in living, he overdoes.
Yet his pen is used for philanthropy;
through it galley serfdom and the death
penalty have been abolished. In personal
matters ho is violent, idolizing friends,
hating enemies, but in broader problems
his mind rests onlj on the good, and ho
can look back on life with the god-like
smile of one who has righted many
wrong?.
"Doubt, an Element of Progress" was
Miss Fairfield's subject. She considered
the skepticism of the people as a common
factor In revolution, and thought It the
outgrowth of culture and maturity of the
race In religion it gave nobler life to
Saxons through Luther; in science, It
has caused research and tho discovery of
truths; in politics it lias corrected errors
that made people too confiding. The
world Is now turning in a great whirlpool
of infidelity from which nothing is ex-
empt save the great moral truths of
humanity and upon these man may stand
as upon solid rock, however far from the
paths of his fathers his doubts may have
led him.
Mr. Eugene Montgomery gave "Thack
cry" a fixed and influential place In' this
century's literature, folio iving naturally
upon Carlyle, like whom he was simple,
scorning pretension, but knowing life
better. The melancholy arising from hia
far-seeing vision was increased by the
hard trials of life, which brought hitn in
contact with meanness and wietchedness.
Tho humor and fun which flash from his
pages are hut the "spark from tho living
fire." Because he had a tired and far-off
look and spoke out quickly and with no
uncertain voice the truth in regard to
society, she called him cynical, which lie
was not.
True to his classical inclinations, Mr.
Olmsted spoke on "Memories of tho
Greeks," that people who originated tho
culture which we enjoy through the
Renaissance, whoso Ideal is seen in tho
Homeric poems. Athens pursued for
centuries a policy of honor and glory
until tho Macedonian was victor, when
the Greek democratic character perished.
Where Homer's gods and heroes dwelt in
the shadowy distance of time, and, later,
an immortal Plato uttered his philosophy ;
there the far resounding Mediterranean
with dull and distant roar, its thousand
waters moving restlessly, tells perpetually
of their memory.
Mr. N. Z. Snell took up "Ancient and
Modern Modes of Thought," showing
civilization has outgrown tho Patriarchial
system and centers its interest in the
individual. Imperative law is narrowing
its domain, slavery abolished, hereditary
privileges narrowed and confidence in
man's honesty increased, although con
sorvati8m dislikes to admit, it. Even in
the decay of nations mankind is not
retrogressive, as seen in Ancient Law and
Institutions, studies which should bo
cherished by us, for in them we learn
charity and toleration for divers social
positions and opinions.
Mr. Ralph Weston, speaking on tho
"Outlook of American Literature," said
that American men of genius are not
wanting but they aro out of time, for at
present wo aro building up the country,
laying foundations for the literature which
will come when we havemoro time. Tho
nation is liberal, well informed, with the
language in which tho best literature has
been written, with a broad educational
system what could bo more propltous to
a grand literature? Political freedom
cannot be hostile to letters, and our future
literature will be unparalleled, supported
the free thought of a nation of patrons
and sympathizers.
The flowors that went, up to the grad
uates were very beautiful and in tho groat
est number.
Tho music for Commencement was ar
ranged by Mr. Hohman carefully and
well. Miss Cora Fisher opened tho pro.
gram mo with a Grand Fantaslo d e Con
cert by Kittcrer, and Miss Arna Hawkins
closed with Loybach's Pcgase Galop. Bo.
tween the orations thero- were some do
light ful vocal contributions, tho quartette,
Miss Kimball, Mrs. Hohman, Messrs.
Burnham and Alexander singing Bishop's
"Sleep, while the soft evening breezes,"
and a malo quartette, Messrs. Burnham,
Fairbrother, Barnaby and Alexander sang
"Let me dream." Both were excellent,
but probably the most delightful numbers
were tho solos by Miss Kimball and Mr.
Burnham, the first singing Eckcrt's
"Swiss Song," and tho latter Virginia
Gabriel's "Weary."
Wo have compiled a budget of interest
ing statistics concerning tho Seniors this
year, in the hope that each senior class
may bo written up this way and the cus
torn of other colleges followed, year
after year. Between semicolons the de
scription runs as follows: Name; degree;
place of residence; age: weight; favorite
study; chosen profession; politics; re
ligion. Byron B. Davis; A. B.; Salem; 22; 140;
Literature; Medicine; Republican; Bap
tist. May Fairfield; A. B.; Lincoln; 21; 127;
Greek and English Literaturo; ; Rep
ublican' Congregationalist.
Jacob F. Learner ; Agr. B. ; DaKotti City ;
26; 144; Geology; Agricultural Experi
moots; Ropuulican-Tcmperanco; Liberal
Christianity.
Eugene Montgomery, A. B.; Lincoln:
21; 145; Literaturo; ; Independent;
Agnostic.
Heber W. Olmsted ; A. B.; Lincoln ; 20;
147; Classics; Law; Republican; -S .
Novia Z. Snell; B. S.; 22; 150; nistory;
Law; Democrat; .
Ralph 0. Weston ; A. B.; Lincoln, 20;
150; Literature; ; Republican;
Agnostic.
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