Harvard in the Rebellion.

From all that has been said and written about Harvard indifference, a stranger would imagine that the average Harvard man is modelled after the old Stoics. The most exciting event in the outside social and political life receives from him a few laconic comments, and then he relapses again into his former state of let come what will, God rules and Harvard still lives, so I am content. But there have been many exceptions to this general rule. At times of great political excitement, the Harvard Union debates on the leading subjects of the day, have been able to attract two or three hundred men from their firesides. The touchlight processions of the presidential years have also possessed sufficient interest to be successful. And here recently we have had that which has hitherto been regarded as an anomaly, a full house of Harvard men, and their friends at the Glee Club-Pierian Concert.

But the most notable exception was in the years immediately proceeding the rebellion. Then the pulse of Harvard beat in time with the pulse of the nation. Books were laid aside for the musket, familiarity of the classics war superseded by the knowledge of military tactics; the robe of the student was replaced by the uniform of the soldier. Academic honors lost their charm when the Union was in peril, and noble literary ambitions were as dust in the balance when the nation called for defenders. There were five hundred and thirty-five Harvard men among the volunteers of the North. Of these, three hundred and eighty-one were commissioned officers.

The part played by these soldiers on the battle fields of the war, would reflect credit on the most perfectly disciplined and experienced soldiers of history. Many of them became famous. Robert G. Shaw, and William F. Bartlett are names well known to every student of the civil war. There are many others of scarcely less renown. Many of these brave sons of Harvard never returned to their homes in the North. Memorial Hall is a lasting testimony to the patriotism and gallant death of one hundred and thirty-five. It is indeed impressive, at every Commencement to note the vacant places in the war classes. The members who come back here, year after year to renew their old class relations can tell of class mates who would have been prominent to-day, had they lived, as orators, literary men, scholars and statesmen, but who have won far greater renown for "Fair Harvard" by having enrolled themselves among the heroes of the nation. This interest, taken by men of our college, in the events of '69 and '64, shows that under this seeming apathy, so prevalent to-day among our students, there is an enthusiastic spirit, which needs only to be thoroughly aroused to make itself felt in a decided degree. As the fury of a patient man is something to be dreaded, so the enthusiasm bom from Harvard indifference generally accomplishes something worthy of our college.

MCK.