CLASS OF 1863
Nine members of the class were at Hanover in June to celebrate the semi-centennial of their graduation. This was not quite half of those who are living. Three or four others had expected to be here, but they did not appear. Those present were: George W. Bingham of Derry, Barton F. Blake of Philadelphia, Alfred K. Hamilton of Milwaukee, Azel W. Hazen of Middletown, Conn., Alfred O. Hitchcock of Fitchburg, Mass., Jesse Johnson of Brooklyn, Maitland C. Lamprey of Concord, Eri D. Woodbury of Cheshire, Conn., and Albert E. Hazen of Lebanon, a graduate of the Scientific Department.
The class had its headquarters in the commodious Richardson Hall, one of the many superb structures which have risen since its day. Tuesday was largely spent in reviewing former days, and in the transaction of such business as seemed advisable. The president, Charles F. Kittredge, being one of the twenty-two who had died since the last meeting in 1903, Mr. Hamilton was chosen to the position temporarily and permanently. Mr. Lamprey was re-elected secretary, an office which he has filled with conspicuous fidelity since the lamented death of Addison H. Foster. It appeared that through a mysterious dispensation of Providence amount of about $50, which it was decided to contribute to the Tucker Scholarship Fund. A vote was taken to meet again in six years, at the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the College!
The class attended the annual meeting of the Alumni Association Tuesday afternoon, with its usual modesty taking one of the lowest seats. But it was soon summoned to occupy chairs on the platform of Dartmouth Hall. Here the secretary introduced the members individually with words of commendation, and they received a most hearty welcome in view of their venerable age. He then discoursed with mingled humor and seriousness upon t their record, especially upon their honorable achievements in the Civil War. Fired with a genuine patriotic ardor, many enlisted in the early stages of the conflict, and before its end over fifty of our men had served in the army, either the Northern or the Southern. Six fell on the field of battle. One, a cavalry colonel, (Cummings) was in fifty-four engagements. Another, a cavalry captain, (Woodbury) captured a Confederate battle flag with his own brave hands, receiving for the noble deed a vote of thanks from Congress, together with a medal.
The secretary affirmed that no class in any Northern college manifested a more self-sacrificing devotion to the country in the hour of its peril than did ours. The tablet commemorating our soldiers, erected by the class in Webster Hall, should have two or three names added to the more than fifty inscribed thereon.
The secretary's address was greeted with warm applause, as it was a remarkable tribute, and since he spoke of that of which he was himself a part.
The class paid their respects to President Nichols and his wife at their reception, afterwards posing for the inevitable photograph. The banquet at the house of Mrs. Snow Tuesday evening was an occasion long to be remembered, continuing, with its aftermath, from seven to eleven o'clock. Here the "fellows" opened their lives and their hearts to one another in a delightful fashion. There was no play of rhetoric, but a charming revelation of deeds, sentiments, and emotions.
At the Commencement on Wednesday Judge Jesse Johnson was honored by his Alma Mater with the degree of Doctor of Laws, the wish of the class being thus gratified.
At the Alumni Luncheon, Azel W. Hazen was requested to speak in behalf of the class. He referred briefly to the ten instructors of his time, with President Lord at their head. After the sore, trials of the latter with the class of '63, he resigned his post, weary of his harassing labors! In those days there were no electives, no prizes, no gymnasium, only informal and unorganized athletics. Yet many students came to Dartmouth with the novel idea that they were there for work rather than play.
The speaker assured the audience that his classmates sincerely rejoiced in the immense advance of the College since their graduation. While none of them had attained any marked degree of eminence, not a few had reflected credit upon the institution by loyal devotion to their callings. He esteemed it a royal privilege to have lived in this half century. In it has been born a new astronomy, a new psychology, and the entire science of biology. In it has come the telephone, the phonograph, the electric light, electric traction, wireless telegraphy, and countless other triumphs of human ingenuity and research. This old world has pushed forward with amazing strides towards a complete democracy. Yet in the midst of all this stupendous progress, certain fundamental things for which Dartmouth stands remain unchanged, since they are eternal.
Secretary, M. C. Lamprey, Concord, N. H.
