After Fifty Years

Ozias D. Mathewson '90 Speaks for the Dartmouth Of Half Century Ago, Bids Us Carry On

Following is the text of Mr. Mathewson'saddress to the alumni at their meeting June 75 in Hanover:

PRESIDENT HOPKINS, DARTMOUTH ALUMNI, CLASSMATES: It is a distinct honor and a high privilege to present the Class of 1890 on the fiftieth anniversary of our graduation from Dartmouth College.

Years ago when we returned for commencement, we wore a "Class of '90" badge with the slogan, "When the world began to move." We must have given it too hard a push, for during these fifty years it has been through such ups and downs, swirls and whirls that we hardly know where we are. Having made the world safe for democracy, today we find democracy safe nowhere in the world.

When we came to Hanover, the Wilson Library and Rollins Chapel were pointed out with rare pride; today the college is proud of neither. Buildings have come and gone so frequently that we oldsters find ourselves almost lost in the material prosperity of the college. New dormitories, new streets, new areas have been opened on all sides of the town. We can no longer locate the old boarding clubs, Miner, Chase, Roberts; nor the Murphy, which was, I understand, the last word in culinary arts.

How frightened we were to register in Prexy's office, just over the entrance of Wilson Library. Samuel Colcord Bartlett, D.D., LL.D. was president when we entered Dartmouth. He was indeed an impressive figure. Snow-white hair and beard; quick, nervous in speech and action, he would look up from his desk with flashing eye, clear his throat in characteristic manner and demand, "Name, Sir." He would then scribble the name on a blank to be handed to Prof. Emerson, the clerk of the Faculty, whom we soon were calling "Chuck." The next morning Prexy met us in Wentworth Hall. His talk was probably based on experience and observation. I recall only one sentence, "Young gentlemen, remember, if you persist in walking with your elbows sticking out, don't be surprised if you get them bumped." Ever afterwards Jim Fassett, Dick Upham, and Bill Odlin carried their hands straight by their sides.

We soon began getting acquainted with Hanover, its morning fogs, its chilly nights, the college pumps and unique sanitary conveniences. These, with touches of homesickness, gave ample excuse for irregular class attendance. Our rooms, of course, were damp and most of them poorly furnished. We were slow in getting a supply of fuel. Fortunately the college had a large woodpile just behind Dartmouth Hall. As the fog, cold, and sickness increased, Prexy suggested one morning that he thought it unwise for the boys to expose themselves with a woodpile so near at hand. We voiced our approval by "wooding up" loudly, although, as a matter of fact, we had already anticipated his suggestion!

In our college days nearly every member of the Faculty wore a full beard. It gave him added dignity and something to stroke when embarrassed by questions or conduct of students in his class. Since then I have wondered if the beard didn't often serve as a screen to hide his merriment at our egregious mistakes or at our lack of preparation.

In Livy we had two pages of advance assigned for every lesson. The re-review we had to write out into good English. This was considered a real grind. One morning a classmate (name remembered but not mentioned) snatched a paper from his neighbor and began to read. He was not familiar with the writing; and Johnny Lord, sensing the situation, pulled his mustache and kept the fellow reading to the end. Then he blandly remarked, "Do you usually have as much trouble in reading your own writing?"

Arthur Fairbanks taught us Greek. During the winter term he invited us to meet once a week and read the New Testament in Greek. After the first meeting one of the boys was heard inquiring excitedly where he could find a trot!

There was considerable interest in Greek. During Sophomore year some of us bought paper-covered editions of Greek tragedies and met evenings to hear Prof. Rufus B. Richardson, better known as "Roots," translate them with personal comments. In class we recited to him from a Greek text of which a translation had been made by a needy student, printed, and circulated for a price. Unfortunately one word was badly mistranslated. "Roots" would bide his time until someone suspected of using a trot could be asked to translate that particular passage, where-upon he would remark with good-natured sarcasm, "For more than ten years every student has made that same mistake. This seems an incredible coincidence. Perhaps, Mr. Blank, you can explain it."

One of the most amusing incidents of our day occurred in connection with rhetorical held each week in the old chapel. Two or three boys had been disciplined severely. In retaliation their friends secretly put a donkey into the room; and, removing the desk on the platform, tied the animal from both sides in such a way that it stood where Prexy usually stood when addressing the student body. As we drew near for the usual exercises, we were greeted by a din of noisy confusion. Prexy grew whiter and whiter as he approached the door. At his entrance there was deathly silence. Pulling out his jack-knife he staggered to the platform, cut the rope on one side, faced the students and blurted out, "I perceive someone of you has a relative on the stage." At least three boys must remember this incident, for no one was excused from speaking, not even the donkey.

Teaching was a favorite way of earning money. Every winter there was quite an exodus from college. Probably more than a third of our class taught one or more terms during his course. All the professors good naturedly allowed us to make up our work by special assignments and pass the subject by an examination. It required real courage to make up half or more of a course while doing the regular college work. Such absences may have caused a downward turn in the line plotted to determine the improvement prize, but these student teachers awakened many a country lad and fired him with ambition and determination to go to college. Knowing nothing of methods, they relied upon their own abundant vitality and enthusiasm, which they passed on in such measure as to touch a responsive chord in many a boy of whom they were proud to say in after years, "He went to school to me."

We were required to attend chapel every morning and a Vesper Service Sunday afternoon. "Pa" Leeds was pastor of the College Church. The boys thought him a prosy preacher, although some of the faculty said he was "a good sermonizer." Some of the alumni took it upon themselves to arrange for distinguished Unitarian clergymen to conduct Sunday services in the G. A. R. Hall. Before attending these one must get written permission from President Bartlett. I recall my experience. It is easy to understand how difficult it was for President Bartlett, who had just completed his book, "The Authenticity of the Pentateuch," to be in sympathy with any liberal religious movement. He eyed me keenly and said, "Since you are of age, you may go." This permission gave me an opportunity to hear Edward Everett Hale, James DeNormandie, Andrew Peabody, Thomas Slicer, Minot Savage and several others.

In athletics our class did reasonably well. While football was played at Dartmouth before our arrival, it was Bill Odlin who put into the game new life and popularity which have since been abundantly maintained. Bill needed no loud speaker. Anybody between Lyme and White River Junction could hear him as he yelled, "Tackle low!" The flying wedge with Jim Fassett at its apex was the chief play. In those days power and profanity were the main reliance of Dartmouth teams.

We have never been a wealthy class; so, as you go about Hanover, you see no street nor dormitory bearing the name of a '90 man. Tyler, however, donated generously to the college; while Mrs. Morrison and Moses each gave funds for special purposes; and you may visit the golf course known as HILTON FIELD because Henry, seeing the need of fostering golf at Dartmouth, bought the field and presented it to the college. Hilton was very active as a trustee for two terms, and rendered invaluable service in originating and organizing the TUCKER FUND, which today provides a substantial part of the operating funds of the college. It is indeed Dartmouth's "living endowment." As treasurer of the Chicago Theological Seminary, Hilton has for many years been handling the finances of that institution. In recent years he has served as a trustee of Colby College and in that capacity has become a guiding light in Colby's new development.

Our outstanding diplomat and statesman, as you all know, is George Higgins Moses, who preserved peace in the Balkans and ruled the United States Senate with an ircfn hand in a velvet glove. Once upon a time a Moses led an harassed people into a Promised Land. While our Moses is not a descendant of the great Biblical leader and lawgiver, the world today broadcasts a Macedonian cry for a Moses to lead it into an age of peace, plenty, and good will.

The class of 1890 entered Dartmouth an unknown quantity; at commencement nineteen men were honored by a red ribbon, the badge of membership in Phi Beta Kappa. To-day there are so many successful '90 men that it is difficult, even risky, to single out classmates for special mention. In law "Tummy" Abbott, Dan Ruggles, and Charlie Perkins come to mind; in journalism Benton, McDufiee, and Jimmy Reynolds; in the ministry Mills, Robinson "First," and Reed; in education Fassett, Gerould, Robinson "Second," and Pingry Boynton; in medicine Morgan, Safford, Perry Boynton, and Georgie Dearborn—but why continue? Time would fail me to tell of all my classmates who are worthy of honorable mention. Of our thirty living graduates, seven are included in "Who's Who," a larger per cent than any other class can boast.

When we were in college, Dartmouth was essentially a New England institution; to-day it is a national institution. We rejoice to find here the same old college spirit modified, however, by the benign influence of President Tucker. He it was who gave tone, quality, and character to Dartmouth life, and a vision of a New Dartmouth. This vision is being realized in the administration of President Hopkins, for whom the class of '90 has profound respect and admiration. We heartily endorse, President Hopkins, your skill and wisdom in administering the affairs of Dartmouth College. To develop an institution along liberal modern lines and still keep it anchored to the eternal verities is a real test of educational statesmanship.

Finally, the class of 1890 would pay a tardy tribute to the memory of the Faculty of their own day. It consisted of mature men, well-rounded in their convictions.

They taught us truth as they saw it. How fortunate for them and for us to have had our college experience in a day which was free from the confusion of modern thought.

From the vantage point of the years the class of '90 bids the New Dartmouth carry on, and on, and still CARRY ON.