Cheers for the Living

"And Tears for the Dead" Was Text of Orator Speaking For the Fifty Year Class at Commencement Luncheon

MR. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWALUMNI:

I THANK YOU for your cordial reception which is, of course, a compliment to the Class which I have the honor to represent.

Years ago, a well known American orator, in proposing a toast to the volunteers, meaning the volunteer soldiers who fought in the War between the States, used as his slogan: "Cheers for the living- Tears for the dead."

That will be the text of the brief remarks which I am to make.

Our Class of '89 graduated 60 men, of whom 26 are still living. Of our non-graduates, 8 are now living, and some of them are here today. We also have with us a number of the wives and children of those who are or have been members of our Class. 34 of our classmates are still living. The rest have passed to the hereafter. "Cheers for the living—Tears for the dead."

Our Class, while we have never had a Daniel Webster or any other man recognized by the world as of extraordinary genius, nevertheless was composed of men many of whom have attained a high degree of distinction in the professions and business to which they have devoted their lives. Among our members have been clergymen, lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers and men engaged in many lines of business and scientific activity. I think I can say with pride that no one of our members has ever brought disgrace upon our Class or upon the College. We have been a typical group of Dartmouth men, proud of our College, and we hope our College has been proud of us.

Of our living members, I am not going to speak, but of our dead I think it appropriate to mention four- George Hitchcock Chester Curtis Billy Williamson John Ross.

George Hitchcock was probably the most popular man in our Class and was known to many of the students in the classes from 1880 to 1900, for he was a Hanover boy. Before our graduation his father was Postmaster of the town, and George himself later held that office. He was a man of the highest character. He had in a remarkable degree the gift of popularity, but came to an untimely death at an age when he should have had many more years of life before him.

Another member of our Class who deserves special mention was Chester Curtis, who, in college, distinguished himself particularly in the field of music. He was the leader of the Glee Club. He became a teacher in St. Louis and enjoyed the affection and respect of the people of that city. He too passed on at an early age, mourned by all who knew him.

Billy Williamson was our Valedictorian. He was a physician and surgeon, a man of the highest character and great intellectual ability and, in his profession, was recognized by his associates as possessing a very high degree of skill.

John Ross was one of the best scholars in our Class. He became a lawyer and had he lived would undoubtedly have attained high distinction in that profession. He and I were very intimate friends. In fact we roomed together for several years. We played golf together on Christmas Day and he died on New Year's Day. For these men, and for the others who have passed away, I say "Tears for the dead."

With the eye of faith and imagination, I like to look forward to some Commencement years and years hence, when our Class will gather at the Bema. On the platform will be Eleazar Wheelock with his Bible, his drum and the 500 gallons, with which his name has become associated. With him will be our good President Samuel Colcord Bartlett and dear old Doctor Leeds, Pastor of our College Church. President Wheelock will sound a roll upon his drum, calling the assembly to order and will introduce President Bartlett, who will deliver an address, taking as his text the well known verse from the Apocrypha] Book called Ecclesiasticus "Let us now praise famous men." His address will be mainly a eulogy of the Class of '89, and among other things he will probably say that it was one of the best classes that was in College during his administration. When he has finished, dear old Doctor Leeds will pronounce a benediction, invoking God's Blessing upon the souls of our members. Then, President Wheelock will declare the ceremonies at an end and the 500 gallons will be moved down to the level of the group which has gathered, where it will be enjoyed in moderation by all. Chester Curtis, the leader of our singing and the cheer leader, as in the old days, will call for the singing of the Dartmouth songs and the giving of the Dartmouth cheers, which will be sung and delivered with a will. Finally, he will rise and propose a toast to the Class of '89. "Cheers for the living," but there will be no "Tears for the dead." For we shall all then be living the life eternal.

REPRESENTING HIS Golden ReunionClass, Judge Wheat addressedthe alumni at the annual Commencement Luncheon June 17. Hisremarks are quoted below. Theywill be inscribed in the GoldenBook, presented to the College bythe class of 1884, at its Fiftieth, toprovide a permanent record ofGolden Reunion Messages.Interpolated by Judge Wheatinto his address was a tribute to thelong-time secretary of the class, Dr.David N. Blakely, whose devotedservices to the class and the Collegehe eulogized to the 1800 men at theluncheon meeting. Judge Wheatread a communication received fromPresident George Willard Smith ofthe N. E. Mutual Life Insurance Co.saying: "A gentleman in every senseof the word, Dr. Blakely combineswith this a remarkable understanding of human nature, a grace ofmanner and a readiness to servewhich have always been in evidence."

PRESIDENT OF THE CLASS