Address in Praise of Founders

"Address in Praise of the Founders by W. P. Dole, B. A." The University Monthly XIX, 8 (May 1900): 200-201. (excerpt)

The following is a brief account of Mr. Dole's address:

Among all nations and races it is the custom to observe certain festivals and anniversaries. These periodical and public celebrations do much to preserve national life. From them, too, have come the noble arts of poetry and ethics and other peaceful arts. The multitudinous societies of the mother country are evidence of this. For many years institutions of learning have observed an annual closing ceremony, frequently termed encoenia, a Greek term meaning Feast of the dedication. We are assembled here to celebrate in a glad and festive spirit the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of this institution of higher learning in this province. the nation that ceases to advance in the arts and sciences must go back into decay. The speaker here gave an exhaustive resume of the origin and development of literature and schools and colleges from the earliest days. The term university means or implies a centre of universal or general studies. The University of Paris has the honor of being the oldest regularly founded university in Europe. Oxford and Cambridge are two grand names and are honored as being England's centres of learning and are known an and honored wherever the English tongue is spoken and the language studied. These have served to stimulate the foundation and growth of other notable and useful universities in the British colonies and in the United States. The Loyalists who settled in New Brunswick were animated by the spirit providing higher education to their children and within a few years after landing upon the rocky shores of the St. John and in the year 1800 they founded the University of New Brunswick. Mr. Dole then gave a full and complete history of the University and the many vicissitudes through which it has passed. A high tribute was paid to Sir Howard Douglas, who did so much for the University and for the province. Hon. Chas. Fisher was mentioned as a life long and valuable friend of the College. Mr. Dole spoke of and eulogized the professors under whom he had studies, viz., Dr. Jacob, Dr. Robb, Dr. Brydone Jack and Prof. Houseal. The history of the College for the past quarter century was intimately reviewed. The general advantages of a College training and education were spoken of, and the present described as a marked epoch. The men who had gone out from the University and have won distinction in all walks of life were referred to. Mr. Dole's masterly and exhaustive address was listened to with the closest attention and interest.