USA > New York > Niagara County > History of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels : Niagara University, Niagara County, N.Y., 1856-1906 > Part 8
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"In the absence of the Hon. Sherman S. Rogers, who was announced to award the prizes, this duty fell to Adelbert Moot, who called upon Wallace Thayer, winner of the Daniels scholarship of $250, and Godfrey M. Frohe, winner of the Clinton scholarship of $250, to rise while he spoke of the generosity of the Bar
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in subscribing the money for these scholarships. The Daniels scholarship, he stated, had been awarded for the best thesis on Con- stitutional Law, and the Clinton scholarship for the highest standing in recitations, examinations, and work in the moot court.
" The Daniels scholarship was awarded by a committee consisting of the Hon. Sherman S. Rogers, Wilson S. Bissell, and Norris Morey, to whom the theses had been submitted without the names of the writers, so that the judges could not tell to whom their award was made. Mr. Thayer proved to be the successful competitor.
" The Clinton scholarship was awarded by the faculty to Mr. Frohe after a close contest between that gentleman, Loran L. Lewis, Jr., and Mr. Thayer.
" Mr. Moot, in behalf of the faculty and members, thanked the Bar of Erie County, who had so generously subscribed for these scholarships. He thought such awards were valuable in putting young men on their mettle at their entrance into a profession where they would continually be put on their mettle in after life. The faculty also desired to thank the prize winners for the very thor- ough and commendable work they had done.
" He then handed to Messrs. Thayer and Frohe their $250 in gold amid applause.
" Mr. Thayer stated that he had not written the thesis for a popular reading, as it was strictly technical and not calculated to please an audience. On that account he would omit certain portions not bearing strictly on the case in hand.
"The thesis was founded on the first section of the 14th Amendment, which was framed to protect the negro.
" Mr. Thayer took up the history of the reconstructed States immediately following the War. He showed the utter futility of the General Government's attempting to control these States under the original form of the Constitution. In many the former slaves were being at that time legislated out of the spirit, if not the letter, of the emancipation granted by Lincoln's proclamation, and interference was absolutely necessary.
" The birth of the new amendment was minutely described by Mr. Thayer, who outlined the difficulties, both in matter and manner, encountered by its framers, who had to contend with State rights on the one hand and personal rights on the other. Great pains also had to be taken not to particularize any nationality, race, or color, nor to locate the action of the amendment in any portion or section of the country. All of these difficulties were encountered and overcome, yet
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the form of the amendment was such that its explicitness could not be doubted. Without alluding to the negro, without mentioning slavery, and without particularizing the South, it was nevertheless fully understood and perfectly effective.
" Mr. Thayer's analysis was most minute, and followed commen- tary lines with a carefulness that would indicate a thorough course of reading on his part. He defined the existing rights of aliens and citizens, both before and after the adoption of the amendment, and showed where the line between Federal and State authority had first been drawn. Property rights were incidentally touched upon, and the rights of the negro in public conveyances and hotels were alluded to and outlined.
" The complete thesis covered both sections of the amendment, and was a very long document. The part affecting the latter section was omitted. It covered three heads, and principally alluded to State rights.
" That portion of the thesis which drew the distinctions between State and National unity was, from a general standpoint, not entirely free from political bias. Mr. Thayer predicted that the State would ultimately be merged into the Nation on one side and the municipality on the other, remaining as a mere convenient political entity. He had formerly admitted that this was the position taken by Republican- ism, and, therefore, ceased to be an impartial umpire in his method of reasoning, and ranged his opinions on the side of the opponents of the State.
" Although written on a rather dry topic, the thesis held the attention of the entire audience, and received marked and merited applause.
"Loran L. Lewis, Jr., delivered the class oration, starting out with the proposition that law is co-extensive with civilization. As civilization advanced, the power of law increased and made mere brutish struggles give place to higher contests for the securing of rights and the righting of wrongs, which the orator ably showed was something necessary in the interests as well of society as the individ- ual. To maintain one's rights, he said, was a duty man owed to others besides himself, and it was regretted that a selfish view in these matters often prevailed.
" Applying this broad principle of the law to local affairs, the orator asked how long, if this were enforced, would electric light, telegraph, and telephone companies be allowed to endanger the prop- erty and lives of the people? He thought it was an interesting ques-
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tion whether the Common Council had the right to grant such privi- leges in opposition to the law and the Constitution, and urged that their right so to do should be tested for the common good. Indiffer- ence to the effects of these things on the public weal was the reason why such things were tolerated.
"After picturing the consequences if one-half of the population were to decide to abandon all efforts to maintain their rights because of the exertion necessary to enforce them, he spoke of the importance of individual strength as going to form the character of the Nation. While not encouraging any captious or litigious enforcement of indi- vidual rights, he insisted that they should invariably be maintained where important principles were at stake.
" The Rt. Rev. Bishop Ryan, in conferring the degree of Bache- lor of Laws, said:
"' Gentlemen of the Graduating Class :- It is a pleasure for me to be able to confer the degree of Bachelor of Laws on a class that has received, from all I have learned, the full endorsement of the Faculty of the Buffalo Law School. And if we should judge only from the specimens before us this evening, I am sure that we would all be willing to acknowledge that the graduating honors have been well bestowed.
"' It is in the name and by the authority of the Niagara Universi- ty that I am here this evening to perform what is probably the most pleasurable part of this evening's entertainment. I am sure that the first graduates emanating from this law school, attached to Niagara University, will do honor to the school itself, and I am satisfied that all of the kind friends here who are concerned in your welfare and in the honors conferred upon you to-night will follow with interest your future career. The gentlemen who have assisted as your pro- fessors will also, in all probability, watch with greatest earnestness and interest your future as the first graduates from this school. I have confidence that you will not only in every respect fulfill the high expectations which the legal examinations you have passed through warrant, but you will also acquit yourselves honorably in all your other relations to society.
"' You have had exceptional advantages of education and train- ing, and to whom much is given of them much shall be required. The public will expect you to be in every respect worthy of the position you assume, and without trespassing on the province of the honor- able Judge who is to address you, it may be said that it is expected that you will so conduct yourselves as never to bring discredit upon your Alma Mater.
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"' You now enter upon a profession that has in the past and must necessarily in the future have great influence upon the well-being of society. It is my pleasant duty to confer upon you the honorable degree of Bachelor of Laws.'
" Amid applause the graduates received their degrees, and along with the precious documents some very elegant baskets of flowers were bestowed.
" Justice Haight, in addressing the class, said :
"' In the summer of 1880 there assembled at Saratoga a number of eminent gentlemen known as the American Bar Association. They discussed, among other things, the question of the elevation of the bar, and passed resolutions favoring the establishment of law schools, which prior to that time had been few and far between. Up to 1880 students had been obliged to study in the office of some attorney, where they received very little attention, gathering what few points they could, unaided by any other assistance than their own efforts. A practical law office is a good thing, but it is not and never can be the equal of a first-class law school.
"'Appreciating this, a number of the citizens of this fair city succeeded, with the generous aid of the Niagara University, in estab- lishing such a school, with the Hon. Charles Daniels as dean. Such is the school from which you, gentlemen, are now graduated. It is no empty honor that you enjoy, but is a privilege guaranteed by the Supreme Court.
"'Law is as ancient as history, and dates from the Garden of Eden down through the ages to the stone tablets handed down to Moses. As long as man is liable to err, so long will law be a necessity, and its study and practice a neccessary and honorable pursuit.
"' Law is a shield to the weak and a barrier to the strong; it com- pels you to yield to Cæsar what is Caesar's due; it shields and pro- tects your life and property, and is the great censor of human action.
"' There are two kinds of lawyers, and to that kind by whom civil law is construed have you allied yourselves. I shall consider myself very happy if I am able to drop any suggestions of value to you. In your position you will be both a public and a private character. It will frequently be your duty to give advice on important sub- jects, and you must carefully fit yourselves to best advance the interests of your clients.
"' The legal profession stands in close relationship to the law- making power, and in all probability some of you will ultimately occu- py official position. I do not advise you to accept such positions, nor
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to avoid seeking them, but the most careful judgment is necessary to carry out your action. The thirst for office is one of the unfortunate evils that beset our government; it is too often a snare; its glamor is like a moonbeam that glimmers but for a time, then fades from view.
"' The relations between you and your clients will be most confi- dential, and you owe them many duties. First, you must hold sacred their confidences. Under no circumstances must these be violated. Another thing, be not hasty with your advice - always take plenty of time, and remember the best advice is that which avoids litigation. And yet in some cases it will be necessary for you to carry the matter into the courts. In that case you must exercise both care and firmness - you must persevere and never hesitate.
"'Another thing, my young friends, be true to yourselves, main- tain the uprightness of your characters, and never under any circum- stances be guilty of deliberately supporting what your conscience tells you is wrong. In criminal cases the law always presumes a pris- oner innocent till he is proved guilty, and that guilt must be estab- lished beyond a reasonable doubt. There are few cases brought into court that have not some merit on both sides, and it will be very seldom that you will be obliged to champion an utterly unworthy cause.
"' In the matter of payment for your services you are entitled to liberal compensation - it is the privilege of your profession. But you must bear in mind that your elders, the older heads in the prac- tice of law, have had a richness of experience that can only come to you through the years to come. You cannot hope to charge their prices ; you must not think of it.
"' Never practice any of the smaller tricks that the unworthy members of the bar so frequently disgrace themselves by doing. You owe a certain amount of duty to your legal brethren; by them you will be judged; your status will be gauged by their decision. Be men among men, honor your calling, and your calling will honor you.
"'Finally, and in conclusion, let me caution you against the .stumbling-stones and by-ways that will beset your path. Do not follow a will-o'-the-wisp. You can not seek fame here and fortune there - you cannot do it and be successful. Be just and vigilant, make equity your polar star; and generous rewards will be your portion, your life will be prosperous, and you will merit and receive the regard of all with whom you are brought in contact.'"
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ALUMNI CHAPEL
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ALUMNI HALL
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CHAPTER VIII
HISTORY OF ALUMNI CHAPEL - OPENED FOR REGULAR SERVICE - DECORATED AND SOLEMNLY REOPENED - CEREMONIES ON THAT OCCASION - LIST OF VISITORS - DESTROYED BY FIRE - REBUILT AND CONVERTED INTO ALUMNI HALL - NEW ACCOM- MODATIONS FOR OUR SOCIETIES.
N IAGARA'S Alumni who assembled here in large numbers on the 11th of November, 1902, beheld among other changes wrought at Alma Mater since their graduation the trans- formation of the old stone chapel into a hall for theatricals, gym- nastics, and other college society purposes. At first sight this may have seemed to them a desecration, but reflection, we fondly hope, demonstrated to them the wisdom of the course pursued.
The old building known as Alumni Chapel, because erected largely through contributions from Niagara's former students, was, we may say, the pet project of Father Rice's life as head of " Our Lady of Angels." Cherishing the hope (never realized) that our institution would one day stand in the midst of a flourishing parish made up for the most part of employees dependent on us for their livelihood and dwelling on our domains, he determined to erect for divine wor- ship an edifice in keeping with our surroundings. As usual, the first money obtained for this purpose was through a mortgage, $24,000, the liquidation of which, as of other connected debts, entailed innu- merable hardships on the Seminary in Father Rice's time and that of subsequent administrations.
If we were writing from a merely sympathetic instead of an his- torical point of view we might class the project of building this Chapel among the most heroic incidents in the life of a heroic man. Its destruction by fire would have to be recorded as unparalleled in tragic import by any occurrence in our history save the conflagra- tion of December 5, 1864. It has been repeatedly affirmed by those who were intimately acquainted with Niagara's fourth president that worry connected with the building of this Chapel undermined the health and shortened the life of Father Rice. In the light of this truth it would be no exaggeration to say that every stone in that old, gray, weather-beaten pile spoke eloquently of him who has been termed Niagara's second Founder. It makes clear, likewise, the
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eagerness of his successor, the lamented Father P. V. Kavanagh, to further by every means available the culmination of the project and have the Chapel opened for services, even though the congrega- tion dreamed of by Father Rice never materialized in our neghbor- hood. Through the generous assistance given to Father "P. V." by Niagara's Alumni and other friends of our institution, Alumni Chapel was at length finished, a fitting monument to his predecessor, and was regularly opened for divine worship, June 16, 1888, fourteen years after the corner stone had been laid.
Let us give what we may call a digest of the Chapel's history: The plans followed from the beginning in its erection were substan- tially the same as those used in the building of the Community Church at the Barrens, Perry County, Mo., that old homestead of the Vincentian Fathers in America. This latter church was closely modeled after a famous one built by the Congregation of the Mission at Monte Citorio in Rome. Owing to that common obstacle, lack of funds, work on our Alumni Chapel was discontinued after the walls had been erected and the roof put on. So it remained, as noticed above, for about fourteen years, unplastered and unused, save for the basement, which was made to serve as a recreation hall for the stu- dents of the junior department, and one of the sacristies, which was fitted up as a sale room for student commodities. When amateur theatricals suffered a spasmodic boom at Niagara, about 1884, a stage spacious enough for professionals was erected " right in the heart of the future sanctuary," and here it was that our college thes- pians fretted away many an hour allotted to them for the amusement of their studious brethren.
When the Silver Jubilee of the institution was celebrated in November, 1881, the interior was fitted up for temporary service to accommodate the vast number of clergy and laity who assembled within its walls on that occasion. In 1887, Rev. James O'Connor, now of Seneca Falls, N. Y., also one of the earliest students of the institution, inaugurated a systematic movement for the gathering of funds sufficient to complete the interior of the Chapel. So suc- cessful was his undertaking that by the middle of June of the fol- lowing year the edifice was opened for regular worship, as above stated.
The active part taken by former students of the insitution in the completion of the Chapel by means of their generous donations made it in truth an "Alumni Chapel," practically the result of their generosity, and as such it was known by the faculty and students as
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well as by those outside the institution. Many others, however, not among the alumni contributed at various times to the "Chapel Fund " and by their practical interest in the work helped materially to make the success of the undertaking easier and greater. At first the finish of the walls and ceiling was of a modest and inexpensive character. The windows were plain, the pews the same as had been in use for several years in the old chapel; but by degrees, and always through donations, stained glass windows were set in, new pews furnished, artistic decorations added to the walls and ceiling, until at last the plain interior was transformed into one of the best appointed chapels in the State.
In May, 1897, the Chapel as closed to divine worship and given over to a firm of decorative painters, the inmates of the University attending services meanwhile in the domestic chapels of the institu- tion. It was at first intended to have the reopening in the early part of the following scholastic session, but adverse circumstances inter- fered, and it was not until the 25th of January, 1898, that the cele- bration took place. The ceremonies were most elaborate and impress- ive in character, as may be seen from the exhaustive report given in the Index of February 1st, of that year, and which we reproduce in its entirety :
" Viewed in every way, the solemn reopening of Alumni Chapel on the 25th ult. was a memorable day in the history of Alma Mater. The return of old students, the ceremonies in the Chapel, the hearty flow of good feeling at the banquet board, all spoke as eloquently of the loyalty of Niagara's sons as the newly-reopened, splendid and substantial testimony of their filial affection towards their college home.
" Alumni Chapel is the large stone structure to the south and east of the main building. Its style of architecture is patterned after a church of the Vincentian Fathers at Monte Citorio in Rome. It was erected through the joint contribution of old students and friends of the college. They consider it now a special charge of theirs, and hasten to make any improvements tending towards its adornment or the comfort of those who meet in prayer and adoration within its walls. In consequence of the wishes and generosity of members of the Alumni Association, it was decided to refresco and redecorate its interior. Italian artists were employed. The work occupied the summer and autumn months of last year, and though completed for some time its solemn reopening was deferred till the 25th ult., for the convenience of parties interested.
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" So much has been said about its interior beauty in former issues, we shall now take the liberty to forego further description. We may say, however, that when the artists had finished the last detail, and looked upon the whole effect, they considered the work just completed one of their finest performances in America. Mem- bers of the Alumni Association who were present on the 25th ult. expressed themselves as highly pleased with the rich coloring, deli- cate blending and the calm spirit of beauty pervading all. We may say further that any word picture we might attempt to make would fall short of giving to our readers an adequate idea of the interior of Alumni Chapel as it is to-day.
" In response to the invitation to attend the solemn reopening of Alumni Chapel quite a large number came, considering their exacting pursuits and the distance separating many of them from their college home. Those who were so fortunate as to be in a position permitting their presence on this occasion waived aside for the nonce the cares and labors of intervening years and stood again as of yore within the halls of old Alma Mater. Grey hairs and wrinkled brows spoke to one another of the springtime agone, of the days when their little world was hedged about by college 'bounds '; when they dreamed of little else save the pleasantries and pranks of student life and the longings of student hearts, and when out upon the campus,
'Sleights of art and feats of strength went round, And still as each repeated pleasure tired, Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspired.'
" It did one's heart good to hear the merry laughter of these students of other days while they related 'old time ' reminiscences and experiences mellowed by the flight of years and seasoned per- haps, too, with a little humor. It seemed as though they were living over again a whole lifetime in a single day and a single day in a whole lifetime.
"Others were present, too, whose separation from student labors had not been so long. Their beaming countenances and cheery words told of their joy on revisiting the old halls whence they went forth but a few short years before with the holy chrism scarcely dry upon their brows, or as young graduates, proudly bearing their sheepskins, the token of scholastic triumph and the guarantee of future success. Old professors, now laboring in other insti- tutions of learning, were among the guests, renewing old
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friendships with their disciples and eagerly inquiring about absent ones.
" What could express more strongly than all this scene the strength of the golden bonds of fraternal feeling existing between student and student, between student and Alma Mater, and between student and professor? Surely there was something in it all to make one feel that there is some peculiar charm and binding force about college life which far outweigh its labor and separation from the fireside and associations of home.
" Shortly after 10 A. M. the guests retired to the Chapel now to be solemnly reopened. A Solemn Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Rt. Rev. T. M. A. Burke, D. D., Bishop of the Albany diocese, assisted by those mentioned on the programme appended. A Cecilian Mass by Groiss was rendered by the sanctuary choir in a very credit- able manner. The sermon for the occasion was preached by the Rev. J. L. Reilly, "74, a former editor of the Index. His words upon the life, character, and labors of St. Vincent de Paul were among the finest verbal paintings it has ever been our lot to hear, and the burst of oratory in his eulogy of our Blessed Mother was simply superb. In a word, his sermon was a masterpiece of Christian doctrine, fine English, and charming delivery. We regret very much our inability to obtain the manuscript for publication. Programme of Chapel exercises follows:
Celebrant, RT. REV. T. M. A. BURKE, D. D., Bishop of Albany.
Assistant Priest, VERY REV. M. P. CONNERY, V. G., '79, Buffalo Diocese.
Deacon, REV. JAMES O'CONNER, '67, Rochester Diocese.
Sub-Deacon, REV. F. S. HENNEBERRY, '79, Archdiocese of Chicago.
First Master of Ceremonies, REV. R. M. REILLY, '98, Albany Diocese.
Second Master of Ceremonies,
REV. W. M. BERNET, '98,
Buffalo Diocese.
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