THE BOSTON "POTLATCH"

The meeting of the Boston Alumni Association held early in February was of such unique character that it warrants being especially put on record. The atmosphere of the dinner was inspiring as well as many of the features connected with it, particularly the introductory verses with which Judge Brown presented the various speakers in the metre and spirit of "Fliawatha." The idea in the background was to utilize the Indian tradition of the College in giving atmosphere and unity and this idea was carried out also in the name of the dinner, "Potlatch" being the word used by the Alaskan Indians to denote a feast to their big chiefs.

Tribal fires were arranged in the lobby of the Copley-Plaza Hotel at which each class should gather. These were in reality large pieces of different colored pasteboard, each one adorned with cartoons appropriate for the class gathering at that point. A few of these sketches are reproduced on this and the following pages. There were twenty-three of these class fires in all, each designated with a cartoon and each with the class numerals.

Indians were placed in charge of each of the tribal fires and as the members of the clan gathered war bonnets were distributed. The bonnets consisted of bands of green with a tall green feather in the front center. Those at the head table had bands containing two feathers and Judge Brown, toastmaster, was provided with one tall white plume guarded on either side by a green feather.

The head marshal of the march to the dinning room was R. F. Paul '11 holding a tomahawk for a baton. The line of march led around the lounge of the hotel gathering the camp fires chronologically as it progressed. When all were seated H. S. McDevitt '07 rose to start a song, noticed that there was no one at the head table, turned to the marshal and inquired for the Big Chiefs. The marshal then went out to the reception room, discovered the guests, motioned to the band which at once struck up the Commencement march but instead of the guests, appeared first in the full regalia of a very red Indian, J. J. Murphy '25, carrying the traditional eight gallon keg which he deposited on the head table. The band then started "Dartmouth's in Town Again" and the guests appeared and were escorted to the head table.

The exercises of the evening were opened with a most appropriate grace by the Rev. Donald B. Aldrich '17. This was so thoroughly in keeping with the atmosphere of the occasion that it is quoted here:

"Oh Eternal God, whose living Spirit dwelleth in those hills whence has come our strength, increase our devotion, we beseech Thee, to her whose names as sons we bear. Make our affection for her pure as her perennial snows, and our loyalty as constant as the green pines above her. May the still north touch our hearts tonight and the hill winds wind through our veins—that the image of her beauty and the fashion of her fellowship and the standard of her truth may, through us, be traced again. We ask it in the name of Him who left a hill country to share his life among the common ways of men, the same Jesus Christ."

Nelson P. Brown '99, president of the Boston Alumni Association and the toastmaster, used as a gavel a'n Indian club and a real Indian calumet pipe. Perhaps the most effective aid to the spirit of the occasion were the introductions used by Judge Brown in presenting the various speakers. These, with the war bonnets at the head table and throughout the room and the camp fire banners standing against the walls, served to make an effective background for the evening. Throughout the evening the program was enlivened by a war dance by J. P. Murphy '23 and singing by Harry S. McDevitt '07 and Fred S. Child 'l5. At the conclusion of the meeting the assembled tribes joined in the singing of Hovey's "Men of Dartmouth."

The verses used by Judge Brown follow:

GOVERNOR FULLER

Answering your minds' inquiry Who the Big Chiefs are you see here Seated at this banquet table, Who they are and why they sit here In their lofty isolation, I shall answer, I shall tell you All about them, all I dare to; Kindly give me your attention One by one I shall present them.

In the forest far to northward Mid the snow topped hills and pine trees, Where first Efeazar Wheelock, Captivated by their beauty, Pitched his tent and built his campfire, Dwells our ancient tribe of Dartmouth. To the southward, in the lowlands On the banks of sluggish rivers That flow inward from the ocean Live the friendly Massachusetts; Nearest they of all our neighbors. Tho in contest oft we've striven With the bravest of their warriors, With our mightiest strength have striven, Yet the contest has been friendly And our motives have been peaceful. To their hunting grounds abundant, To the fishing in their waters, We have always found a welcome To abide and dwell among them. Even to their closest councils Even to their highest office Wah Hoo Wahs have oft succeeded

Honored both with their high purpose, Spreading joy among the people Of whom they have made adoption. Warrior Sam McCall but lately, After honorable labors, Laid aside the burden heavy; And altho and in between time It was taken up by Calvin Of the silent tribe of Amherst, Soon he, too, gave up the burden, With a heavy thud he dropped it, And the sound was heard by Channing Sleeping in his nearby tepee, Sleeping with his left ear open That he might not miss its falling. Twice the people called on Channing Twice he answered to the calling Of the tribe of his adoption And but one short moon departed Took his squaw and journeyed westward To the land of sunkist raisins. But as Channing, full of honors, Down the State House steps descended, To the place that he left vacant Quickly leaped another warrior Duly chosen of the people To continue Channing's program Of economy of wampum.

Tho he boasts not of our sheepskin He has shown us of his mettle, Shown the courage and persistence, And the same determination To bring home th' elusive bacon That's demanded of our warriors. That is why we "have him with us Honoring us with his presence That we also him may honor That we may give him assurance We accept him as a redskin Tho he may not have a sheepskin. Therefore up! Ye braves of Dartmouth! Honor Massachusetts' Sachem! Give a War Cry for her Governor, Honorable Alvan Fuller.

1924

1881-1885