PRESENTATION SPEECH WILLIAM CLINTON ARMSTRONG, A.M. Chaplain of the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the MR. PRESIDENT: The Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized for a single purpose. It has one aim, and only one. It seeks to perpetuate American ideals; it seeks to keep before the public a clear conception of the foundation principles on which this government was established; and in defense of those principles, it seeks to implant and foster the most tender feelings of the human heart. We are not a religious society, although our members without exception recognize religion as a strong support to free and just government. We are not a historical society, although we are deeply interested in the history of our country and we do all that we can to encourage its study. We are not a genealogical society, although we limit our membership to those whose ancestors did things in 1776. The theoretical caviler who may object to such a bond as exclusive is put to complete silence by the fact that this bond works and produces results that are worth while. Our sole object, I repeat, is the perpetuation of American ideals; and in order to attain this object, our Society engages in many lines of work. Are our national holidays to be fittingly celebrated? We lend a hand. Is a law necessary to prevent the desecration of the American flag? We lend a hand. Are immigrants to be instructed in the duties of citizenship? We lend a hand. We are thoroughly alive to everything that concerns the welfare, prosperity, and honor of our country. The purpose of our assembling here today is to honor the memory of men who assisted in establishing the American Republic. Our committee, Mr. President, was glad when permission was obtained from the College authorities for the placing of a bronze plate on old Queen's in memory of the Rutgers patriots of 1776. Complying with the direction of the Board of Managers, we take great pleasure in reporting that the tablet has been prepared and is now in position. RESPONSE BY PRESIDENT DEMAREST On behalf of the Trustees, Faculty, and students of Rutgers College, I accept this memorial with sincere thanks and deep appreciation. The gift is peculiarly welcome, coming from the New Jersey Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and testifying to the interest of that Society in this College of Colonial foundation. It is in highest degree gratifying to have a tablet erected on this ancient and noble building to perpetuate the memory of the men of old Queen's who fought to lay the foundations of our national life nearly a century and a half ago. They were a noble group of patriots, the tutors, Frederick Frelinghuysen and John Taylor, the graduates, James Schureman, Simeon De Witt, Jeremiah Smith, and the rest. It is a happy incident of this occasion that Frederick Frelinghuysen, twelve years of age, son of Frederick Frelinghuysen, grandson of Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, both trustees and graduates of this College, great-great grandson of the tutor and patriot of the same name in the revolutionary days, unveils the tablet. The words on the enduring bronze will speak with eloquence to all the coming generations of students entering these halls the lesson of fervent patriotism commanding youthful intellect and strength. True to its traditions, Rutgers, old Queen's, pledges to you its faithful service in holding before young men the high ideals of citizenship and the high duties of unselfish patriotism. It is a gift of rare dignity and beauty with which your Society has honored this great anniversary occasion and I beg that you will accept our most grateful acknowledgment. ALUMNI PARADE AND FOOTBALL GAME Neilson Field, 2:30 P. M. At the same hour on Saturday afternoon the alumni and undergraduates were assembling around their class banners on the front Queen's Campus. Forming in order, the oldest graduates first, the procession moved toward Winants Hall, then to Queen's Building, and so marched out of the 1883 Gates into the main street of the City. Probably more than one thousand alumni were in line. Every man wore his badge and carried his pennant. Each class carried its banner and there were several large College banners distributed through the long line of the procession. An item of special interest was the carrying of an immense flag of the United States by members of the undergraduate cadet corps. The procession, with its several bands of music, passed down George Street to Monument Square, at the foot of Livingston Avenue, round the monument and back to Hamilton Street and to College Avenue and to Neilson Field to witness the football game between Washington and Lee University and Rutgers. The alumni, after parading round the field, were seated in the west stand and the undergraduates were seated in the east stand. The cheering of the undergraduates, led by Frederick B. Heitkamp '17, Herbert W. Boes '17, and Wilbur Copley Herbert '17, was particularly fine and stirring; and cheers of the alumni, led by Charles C. Hommann, Jr. '10, Walter K. Wood '16, and Clarkson A. Cranmer '16, responded. About five thousand persons attended the game. An item of remarkable interest was the presence of eleven of the original team of twenty-five that played with Princeton in 1869 the first game of intercollegiate football in this country. They were: Douwe D. Williamson '70, Ezra D. DeLamater '71, George E. Pace '71, John W. Herbert '72, George H. Large '72, Rev. William J. Leggett '72, Rev. John A. Van Neste '72, Bloomfield |