REMINISCENCES.

AN ADDRESS

DELIVERED BEFORE THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION,

JUNE 11, 1889.

BY

GEORGE G. WRIGHT, LL. D., CLASS 1839.

DES MOINES, IOWA.

REMINISCENCES.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Alumni Association.

Somewhere it is written, that when a man begins to write his recollections, it is a sure indication that he is growing old. Let this be admitted, and yet it is said to be equally true, that nothing keeps the heart so fresh nor so young, as the habit of recurring to the best deeds of our fellows, and especially our compeers, and forgetting the worst. I submit to the indication, claiming, however, the promised recompense, for I propose, in response to your invitation, for the passing hour, to recall somewhat of the past, recur to the early days of this place, institution and State,-to speak of those who assisted in their history and upbuilding, remembering the best, forgetting, if need be, the worst.

1839-1889,50 YEARS.

This way, (forward,) how long the time? Minutes were hourshours, days - days, weeks-weeks, months-months, years. That way, (back,) how short? Years, months-months, weeks-weeks, days days, hours hours, minutes. Eighteen hundred and thirty-nine in this then youthful institution, in all the buoyancy, hope and spring of boyhood, we looked forward, and how long the half century? Now, 1889, such of these boys as survive, but boys no longer, look back; and how short and steep the hill?

There were seven of us,

Clement, John A.-the disputatious but excellent scholar, Clement liked John-John liked Clement and we liked both.

Leavenworth, Seth M.- somewhat phlegmatic, but most genial and very big-hearted.

Marshall, Adam- (salutatorian) with the academic aroma ever on his robes.

Weir, Thomas-(Valedictorian) everybody's friend, happy under all circumstances, preferring a good time and rest to books or hard study.

West, Francis-classical face, modest demeanor, neither aggressive nor obtrusive.

Waugh, Elam H., a Calvinist in faith, education and manner—a good lifter, he by preferance always tackled the butt end of the log, whether at the black-board, reading Virgil, or in Philomathian debates. And last and least, myself.

It was on a September day, 1839, when we spoke our high-sounding pieces, each of course in his own estimate a born orator, (and there will probably be others like us to-morrow) in the old chapel, and received our diplomas from the hand of Andrew Wylie, whose name to me has always been enshrined among the most honored, learned and best of the State or elsewhere. We stepped from the platform, the world to us all truth, the future a dream,- each having his own aims and hopes-parted as hundreds have before and since, to go our several ways, some never to meet, There were seven,- now two. Doctor Waugh, of Colorado, whom I succeeded and most gladly, though not without difficulty, in beguiling from his mountain home, and piloting to this happy, and yet somewhat sad semi-centennial day, -and myself. All others gone some not many years after graduation - others later. But two of us here to-day. How little we know of the future? Myself racked with pain almost every month of my university life, doubts indulged by myself and friends whether I would ever be other than a helpless cripple,—and yet, all but one other of these strong, stalwart, healthy, young and hopeful men, noble and true as ever lived, for them I have the respect of a friend and the affection of a brother-all gone. How strange life's fortunes! Of the five I would gladly speak, but of their histories, though I have made no little inquiry, I know next to nothing. I only know that wherever they fell, whatever their respective employments, whether in halls of learning, marts of business, in the sacred desk, or at the bar, if true, as I believe they were to the promise of their years here, they never brought reproach or dishonor to this institution, their families, their friends or the State. But as I propose to be a reminiscent rather than eulogist, I will not, however appropriate and sadly pleasant the theme,-and there will be others equally so-say more.

As of the class of 1839, so of those who struggled with success or otherwise in imparting to us something of latin and greek, mathematical, mental and moral philosophy, and all that made up the then curriculum of studies. Those to whom I recited in the preparatory and other depart. ments were, Joseph G. McPheeters, James D. Maxwell, Matthew M.

Campbell, William R. Harding, James F. Dodds, Beaumont Parks, Theopholis A. Wylie, and the President, Andrew Wylie. Of these, but three are living. Two in this place and with us to-day. The younger Wylie, (Theopholis,) among the most honored and beloved of your City or State, and Maxwell, James D., whose father was a charter member of our (I say our, for whatever my years, I still claim the care of this "fostering mother,") Board of Trustees in 1820 (State Seminary) and save an interval of three years, (1838 to 1841,) so continued until 1852-most of the time presiding officer thereof-the services of the son commencing as Secretary in 1838, continuing until 1855, and for the last quarter century a member of the Board -- thus, father and son working for the seminary, college, and university, for nearly seventy years; a service, and especially in view of its fidelity and great value, without parallel in this or any other institution in the nation, if not the world. And there is the third, Matthew Monroe Campbell, of Colorado, who wrote me a few weeks since, a most characteristic and cheerful letter, for, though almost blind, he says, "One day man will employ in his own services far more of the Maker's almightyness, than he now uses or ever dreamed of using. He now uses more of it than the last Milliard, or the last century thought possible, and yet there is more to come." Grand, good man. How we all wish that some of his prophesied "almightyness" might restore his vision and make happy and cheerful the last of his checkered and eventful life.

Much might be said of the departed, but I must again desist, with, however, one or two suggestions. Reflecting upon the changes in the methods and not to be denied improvements of the last decades, I was thinking this morning, what that walking Latin lexicon, (Father Harding) with his towering, Scotch-Irish head, or that short-stepping, "quid"-loving, always ready, learned and quick moving professor, Beaumont Parks, would say, if some modern student should have the great "Keaser" shout, "Vene, vede, vece," or pronounce before them one of Kickero's celebrated orations!-- Or what would surprise them quite as much, if to-morrow they should see young ladies and young gentlemen, side by side, struggle from this platform for the honors of commencement day, and receive their diplomas, attesting their graduation from this university. I hope and believe, indeed, I think I know, that though this might somewhat shock their once conservative minds, they would nevertheless say, as I do, "amen and amen.” Bless Miss Morrison, (daughter of John I., professor of ancient languages here in 1840 and