UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI'
ON
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25TH, I873,
BY JOHN N. WADDEL, D. D., LI,. D.,
CIIANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY.
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
OXFORD, MISS.
8IS73.
r 
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI,
Oxford, I873. 
Wednesday, June 25th, being the TWENTY- FIFTH
Anniversary of the organization of this Institution, a
Historical Discourse was delivered by invitation of the
Board of Trustees, by the Chancellor, Rev.  JOHN  N.
WADDEL, D. D.;  after which the Board unanimously
adopted the following Resolutions:
Resolved, That Chancellor WADDEL is entitled to the thanks of every
friend of the Unixversity for the splendid Oration delivered by him  on
yesterday.   That his able  and conclusive vindication of the University
against the assaults of all its enemies, inspires the Board of Trustees
with renewed hope of making this noble Institution the pride and glory
of Mississippians and their posterity forever.
Resolved, That the Chancellor be respectfully requested to place his
Oration at our disposal for publication, and that Five Hundred Copies of
the same be printed.
Resolved, That there being now material enough for one volume of
the History of the University, our beloved  Chancellor be  earltAestly requtested to prepare the same for publication at as early a day as he
conveniently can.
e  SS............................................. E  O Y    S           e......................................................
PRESS OF THE HOLLY SPRINGS REPORTER.
- o 
DISCOU RSE.
I. HISTORICAL INTROI)UCTION.
The spot where we now stand, thotiugh not " holy ground," is
certainly invested with no ordinary interest to every Mississippian.
Three hundred and thirty-three years since, when the territory of
the State was the property of the wild savage, and the unbroken
forest stood in its primeval grandeuLr, untrodden by any other than
the Red Man's foot, save that of the untamed beast, his scarcely less
civilized companion, the first European adventurer that ever appeared
upon our soil presented himself to the astonished natives.  This was
the celebrated Hernando de Soto, the renowned Spanish explorer,
who, having served with distinction under Pizarro in his Peruvian
Conquest, himtself conducted an expedition from  Spain in I539,
for the conquest of Florida. Beginning his march from the Bay of
Espiritu Santo, better known as Tampa Bay, towards the close of
I540 he found himself in the country of the Chickasaw Indians, in
the north-east part of this State. Our interest in this great adventurer is much enhanced by the statement of a contemporaneous writer,
that DeSoto's winter-quarters must be located near the north-eastern
portion of Pontotoc County; a conjecture arising no doubt from the
fact, that in this locality' remains of ancient fortifications ar-e still to
be seen, and relics of European origin..... have also been
found."  After his first appearance in this region, DeSoto's career
was brief. Our object in referring to his sojourn at all is to suggest
that, as there is a high probability of his having " traversed the
country comprising the county bearing his name-DeSoto-and as
2Ci'I4, 7 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
he is stated to have crossed the Mississippi at or near the "Chickasaw Bluffs," it is not at all improbable that he may have passed over
the very spot on which we are this day assembled to recognize with
honor the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of a School of the Higher
Learning: a spot then held by savage and inhospitable tribes of
Indians.
It constitutes no part of my purpose to-day, to detail the history
of the oft-repeated and ever-abortive attempts of DeSoto's successors,
LaSalle, Bienville, and Iberville, to subdue this new world of the
South-west.   I shall content myself with a mere reference to the
prominent eras of our history.
For one hundred and thirty-eight years after the failure of
DeSoto and his followers, in their proposed conquest of the country,
no bold adventurer or explorer appeared to disturb the native tribes
in their quiet possession of the country. Then came LaSalle, and
the Chevalier de Tonti, whose repeated attempts to establish a colony
resulted only in disastrous failure. After another interval of eighteen
years, in i699, Iberville, under the patronage of the French, effected
a settlement near Biloxi, followed by no successful prosecution of
the enterprise.  After the lapse of some years, he selected as a site
for a town, a point on the Mississippi river immediately below and
in the suburbs of the present city of Natchez, built a fort and called
it Rosalie.
The history of the early settlements upon the soil of Mississippi,
is marked by the usual vicissitudes common to all attempts to colonize countries occupied by savage tribes.   Under three different
foreign Governments, attempts of this kind were made, until finally
the permanent occupancy and possession of the country became
indisputably assured to the Government of the United States. Thus,
through a period of sixty-four years, France was engaged in an effort
to govern the country and develope its resources by Agriculture and
Commerce.    Great Britain  succeeded France, and held  it as a
province for thirteen years, when she was succeeded by Spain, who
established a Provisional Government and kept possession of it for
nineteen years. At that time, as though wearied with ineffectual
I
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
struggles to establish such a foothold upon the soil as would contribute to the advantage of the mother countries, the European
nations ceased all further enterprises of the kind, and on the 3oth of
March, I 798, the forts at Natchez and Walnut Hills, (now Vicksburg)
were evacuated by the Spanish troops, and the country was taken
possession of by the United States authorities, under whose jurisdiction it has ever since remained.
By Act of Congress, on the 7th of April, i798, the Mississippi
Territory was formally established. Its limits included all the region
lying between the Mississippi river on the West and the Chattahoochee on the East, and it extended from the 31st to the 35th degree
of North Latitude. This vast domain is now covered by the two
great States, Alabama and Mississippi.  Tile right and jurisdiction
over it then vested in Georgia by virtue of her old Colonial Charter,
granted by George II, King of Great Britain, on June 9th, 1732.
On the 24th of April, ISO2, articles of Cession and Agreement
were entered into between Commissioners on the part of the United
States and other Commissioners on the part of the State of Georgia,
whereby the latter cedes to the United States all the right, title and
claim held by her to the jurisdiction and soil within those limits.
From this period to the year IS8i7, the country remained in a Territorial condition.  In that year, on March Ist, an act was passed enabling the people of the Western peart of this Territory " to form for
themselves  a  Constitution and  a State Government, and, to be
received into the Union on an equal footing with the original States."
The limits prescribed to this new State then were nearly identical
with the limits of the State as they are now recognized, and this left
the remainder of her late extent in the form and by the title of " the
Territory of Alabama." We thus arrive at the fact that more than
half a century has elapsed since Mississippi became a regularly
organized State.
During this fifty-six years, events of vast moment have occurred,
and the State has passed through scenes of alternate prosperity and
adversity. With the political bearing of much of her history, we,
on this occasion, have no concern, save that we may note the fact
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
that Mississippians have ever manifested a greater enthusiasm in
political contests than in all other matters, and in that vast vortex
every other interest has been absorbed.
2. GENERAL EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
Among the matters entitled to the earnest consideration of a
young State, in her early history, that of the education of her people
stands in the firont rank of importance. Yet we are struck with the
fact, which is not more true of Mississippi than of other States, that
very little is accomplished in this grand department of human
progress, compared with what is done in those interests that are
purely material. It may probably be attributable to the peculiar
character of our American people, which is always energetic and
enterprising in the direction of that which is practically progressive,
and which addresses itself to their more palpable interests.  We are
not a staid,-not strictly a conservative race. While Europeans look
well to the foundations upon which they erect their national prosperity, and will not move until every point in their future progress is
outlined and thoroughly matured and fixed; based upon solid and
substantial supports; the American rushes to conclusions, and grasps
after results, little recking what is behind him, and as little caring for
intervening opposition. The subxliuing of the forests, and reducing
the soil to cultivation, so as to render the country habitable, and
preparing the way for human civilization, are the objects first contemplated by the American settler of new regions. The pioneers of
our own State formed no exception to the rule.  Yet there remain
on record abundant evidences of the fact, that, at a very early period
after the country came into the possession of the United States, a
disposition to encourage education was developed among the people
of the Territory.
In the year I8S02, Jefferson College, at Washington, near Natchez,
was founded; and in I8S03 an entire township of land was granted
by Congress for its support.  In 1812, Congress passed an act for the
location of those lands. In I820, three years after the admission of
6 
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
the State into the Union, the Legislature of Mississippi granted to
the College a loan of  $4,oo000.   For  some  reason not known,
notwithstanding all that has been done for this Institution, it has
been a failure, and has been of little, if of any, advantage to the
cause of Education in this State.
The record of Mississippi, however, is honorable, since in the
early period of her organized existence, from I798 to I848, there had
been established one hundred and ten Institutions under the various
names of Universities, Colleges, Academies and Schools, exclusive of
Schools founded upon sixteenth sections of Public Lands; proving that
an entire obliviousness of the Educational wants of the people has not
prevailed in our past History.  Still our gratification in the statement
of this fact is somewhat abated by the consideration that the organization of these Institutions seems to have proven, in the majority of
cases, inefficient, and the amnount of really beneficial progress
appears to have been very inconsiderable.
These efforts, however, are certainly commendable; they point in
the right direction.  If they did fail to achieve all that should have
been achieved, it must be attributed to the state of the country. The
pioneers of society must always secure, as a primary necessity, the
means of living; and besides, the new countries are generally
crowded with adventurers, who come with golden visions of vast
fortunes speedily to be amassed; and thus that attention, which is
indispensable to the success of Education, is directed to other objects
not so worthy.
3. INITIATORY STEPS IN FOUNDING A UNIVERSITY.
By the liberality of the Congress of ISi9, two years after Mississippi had been admitted into the Union, an entire township of the
public domain within the State,-23,040 acres-was granted to the
State for the purpose of establishing a Seminary of Learning. The
title to this land was, by act of Congress, vested in the State Legislature, in trust, for the support of the Institution. We learn, also,
7 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
by further investigation, that the trust was accepted by the Legislature, and that in pursuance of the spirit and intent of the Act,
"lands of great value" were selected by the State, and, in due time,
thirty-five and one-half of the thitty-six sections were sold. Notes
were taken from the purchasers, with approved security, and deposited in the Planters' Bank, for collection, in I833.  Several years
thereafter, the first action was taken in the way of applying the fund
which thus accrued to the purposes for which the grant had been
intended.
The Legislature had taken action to have Commissioners
appointed who should visit various points in the State, and receive
proposals inviting the location of the University in their midst. In
IS4I, aftel some struggle, Oxford, in LaFayette County, was selected
by a majority of one vote, as the seat of the Institution.   The
citizens of Oxford and the county of LaFayette had purchased a
section of land, and donated it to the authorities of the University,
as a site whereon to build.
In IS44 the Legislature chartered the Institution under the following Board of Trustees:
Hon. J. ALEXANDER VENTRESS,*..... Woodville,.......... deceased in I868
Hon. JNO. ANTHONY QUITMAN,*.... Natchlez.............resigned in I848
Hon. WM. L. SHARKEY,*.............Jackson.............deceased in I873
Hon. EDWRRD C. WILKINSON,*......Yazoo City,........."           I856
Rev. FRANCIS L. HAWKS.* D. D.,....Holly Springs......resigned in I845
Hon. ALEX. H. PEGUES,*.............Oxford,................. " I86o
Hon. WM. Y. GHOLSON,*............."                              I854
Hon. ALEXANDER M. CLAYTON,....... Marshall County,...       "     i870
Hon. JACOB THOMPSON,................ Oxford.............    "   I864
PRYOR LEE, Esq.,..................... Jackson............ " I846
Hon. JAMES M. HIOWRY............... Oxford,.............   "     I870
JOHN J. MCCAUGHAN, Esq.,*..........Mississippi City..... "       I848
Rev. JOHN N. WADDEL, D. D.,.......Montrose...........    "     I848
Of the original chartered Board of thirteen Trustees, only five
still survive.   Shortly after the act of incorporation, the Board
proceeded to organize themselves into a regular body and commenced
*Deceased.
8 
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
the discharge of their important duties.  On a day appointed, the
corner-stone of the principal edifice-the Lyceutm-was laid with
appropriate Masonic ceremonies, and all  tddress was delivered by
the Hon. John J. McCaughan.
4.  ELECTION  OF FIRST FACULTY.
In July I848, the Board proceeded to the election of the
Faculty.  Extensive notice of the time of this election havin
given through tile public prints, the Board, on assembling
themselves in possession of the names and(l certificates of
mendlation of about one hundlied and eighty candidates for o
the Faculty, distributed about as follows: for the office of Pre
seventeen applicants sent in their names; for the Professor
Mathematics and Astronomy,  there were sixty candidates
applied for Cl-hemnistry and Natural Philosophy, and for the c
Ancient Languagtes, firom sixty to seventy-five candidates lai
claims before tile Board.  In the course of this election, a dliss
arose involving important principles of organization, and whi
a material bearing  uponi  the future of the University, a
influence of the discussion affected the election in its result
influential Trustee planted himself upon the untenable grou
no clergyman of any denomination should be elected to a (
and the gentleman, also, protested earnestly against the iintro
into tile Curriculum, as a study, of "' the Evidences of Christ
In this latter position he was sustained by another Truste
tendered his resignation upon the fact that this branch of stu
to be introduced.  The ground of opposition to these two ids
stated to be, that  the Evidences could not be taught so as to
the inculcation of the tenets of some particular church, o
theological dogma peculiar to some  Christian sect.  The Ins
being the property of the State, and not of any Sect or Pa
people of the State, of all descriptions, had a right to fort
propagation of religion that would not be universally accepta.
was  manifestly improper, therefore, that such  things  sho
permitted, and this would be inevitable should Ministers
2
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id any
ble. It
uld be
of the 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE'
Gospel be eligible to Professorships, or should the Evidences of
Christianity form a part of the Course of Study."  I have in my possession, to this day, a letter from one of the wisest and most devoted
members of the Board of Trustees who participated in this election,
which bears date July i9th, IS4S, and states the fact that "one
member of the Board resigned because the Evidences of Christianity
formed part of the Curriculum, and in his letter of resignation made
a long and heavy assault upon religion;" again, he adds, " another
Trustee followed this letter with an assault upon the Ministry."
Such was one of the many difficulties which then pressed upon the
University; beginning with its infancy, difficulties have kept pace
with its entire career in some shape or other.
The assaults referred to were  not, to the extent d(lesigned, successful, it is true.   They were  influential enough  to prevent the
election to the Presidency of an eminent educator, who was voted
for, and who was a Clergyman; yet the debate, which was held in
public, in the presence of many of the best citizens, members of the
various churches of the country, created so strong a sensation of
disapprobation, and so much indignation was aroused against the
action of the Board, as to cause a reaction before the close of the
election.  The balloting continue(d firom Monday to Friday, at intervals, and resulted as follows:
GEORGE FREDERICK  HOLMES, LL. D., was elected President,
and his duties of instruction were to embrace Metaphysics, Ethics,
Political Economli, &c.  At the time of his election, Mr. H. was a
Professor in Williamn and Mary College, Virginia; an Englishman
by birth.
ALBERT TAYILOR BLEDSOE, LL. D., was elected to the Chair
of Mathematics and Astronomy.  At the time of his election he was
a citizen of Springfield, Illinois; a native of Kentucky, and a graduate of the \West Point Military Academy.
JOIN  MILLINGTON,  M. D., was elected Professor of Natural
Philosophy and Chemistry. Dr. M. was, at the time of his election,
a Professor in William and Mary College, Virginia; by birth an
Englishman.
10 
UNIVERSITY OF MI-SSISSIPPI.
JOHN N. WADDEL, D. D, was elected to fill the Chair of An cient and Modern Languages.   He was, at the time, a citizen of
Jasper County, Mississippi; and, by birth, he is a South Carolinian
a graduate of the University of Georgia.
These four gentlemen were selected from about one hundred and
seventy-five or one hundred and eighty applicants, and one of the
four was a clergyman, the strong opposition "to the contrary
notwithstanding."
Still, the public discussions in relation to the Evidences of Chris tianity exerted an unfavorable influence, and many persons abroad,
throughout this State and the adjoining States, received the impres sion that the University was a regularly organized infidel Institution.
It may, perhaps, be attributed to this, as an immediate result, that
only eighty matriculates were enrolled during the first session, and
very little religious influence was exerted over the student-body.
The University of Mississippi was opened in regular form on the
6th of November, IS48.  Inauguration Exercises were conducted in
the Lyceum, in the Chemical Lecture Room, the only public Hall
on the Campus at that time which was capacious enough to accom modate an audience of any considerable size.  A large and interested
assembly were on that occasion addressed, on behalf of the Board of
Trustees, by Hon. JACOB THOMPSON, then a Member of Congress
from Mississippi, and a man of extensive influence and widely
extended popularity.  This was followed by an elaborate and chaste
oration by the President, GE(o). F. HOLMES, who is now a Professor
in the University of Virginia.
Thus organized, the Faculty and Students entered at once upon
the practical discharge of their respective duties, under many diffi culties and inconveniences. In a town of the interior; remote from
the great thoroughfares, and long before lines of Railroads were
established to any great extent, no text-books were to be obtained
at all, and great delay ensued before this want, and that of other
essentials, could be supplied. In due time, however, the new ma chinery was fairly put into operation.
I I 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
5. FIRST STUDENT BODY.
Fidelity to my office as Historian on this occasion, impels me to
record that, in all probability, very rarely, if ever, was an Institution
attended by a body of Students so disorderly and turbulent as the
first Students of the University, in mass, proved to be.  It is true,
that among those early students there were some of the first young
men of the country; but in point of morals and intellectual advanceiment, the large body of the Students were idle, uncultivated, and
ungovernable. The health of the child of the President requiring
its return to Virginia, and the failing health of the President himself
rendering it necessary, he returned to Virginia, and at the close of
the first session the University  was  found without a President.
Professor Bledsoe was requested by the Board to act as President,
and aided by the two remaining Professors, the affairs of the University wvere successfully managed by  him, and  the session closed
with an exhibition of the Students, of Elocution and Composition.
Previous to the close of the session, hlowex er, the office of Professor
was by no means a sinecure-no chil(1's play.
The difficulties in the management of the Students, arose from
the assembling together of so many untrained young mlen and boys,
many of whomn had never before attended such an Institution, and
whose imaginations had been allured( with the traditional belief that
a College life was only a scene of fun and frolic. I may dismiss this
subject with the remark that, in my opinion, nothing saved the infant
University from utter ruin, under God's blessing, but the sternest and
most rigid exercise of discipline.
The  Institution, as has already been  remarked, did not pass
unscathed through the fiery ordeal. The confidence of the citizens
of the State had received a shock so violent, in consequence of the
disorders of the first session, coupled with the still lingering apprehensions awakened at the outset in regard to the infidel tendencies of
the University, that it was very slow in returning..
I
I 2 
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
6. STATISTICS.
The Institution, however, began its career from  the auspicious
period of the accession to office of the second President, the eminent
and beloved Longstreet. For, although the number in attendance
during the second Session was small, yet in all the elements of true
prosperity  in orderly deportment, diligent application, and mental
progress on the part of the Students; in fidelity and success on the
part of the Faculty, the Institution was far in advance of its status
during the first Session.   The statistics of its patronage, year by
year, enjoyed by the University d(luring the Twenty Sessions of its
actual operation, show that, with the usual slight variation in number
common to all Institutions, which may be  readily and satisfactorily
accounted for, the confidence of the people in the University has
been steadily growing.
The  number  in attendance during the first Session was 80;
during the second it was  76; during the third, 134; during the
fourth, 144; during the fifth, I30; during the sixth, i58; during the
seventh, 173; during the eighth, 225; during the ninth, 264; during
the tenth, 178; during the eleventh, I68S; during the twelfth, 216;
during the thirteenth, i96; during the fourteenth, 246; during the
fifteenth, 231; during the sixteenth, 214; during the seventeenth,
208; during the eighteenth, 120; during the nineteenth, 260; during
the twentieth, 303.
From the opening of the Institution, in I184S, to the present time,
the niumber of Graduates in the Department of Science, Literature
and the Arts, including the Graduates of the present year, is, in the
aggregate, 4i6; in the Department of Law, I I4; thus, combining
both Departments, our Alumni number 530. The entire number
matriculated from  thie beginning, is 3,Io6, of whom  855 were not
graduated, although pursuing the regular course of study, while 364
have spent a longer or shorter time with us, taking a course of select
studies, not designed for any degree.
13 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
7. PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY.
Forty-three different individuals have served as Trustees since
the origin of the University. Seventeen of this number have died,
twenty-six survive. The names of the deceased Trustees are as
follows:
I. TRUSTEES AND THEIR NECROLOGY.
Hon. J. ALEXANDER VENTRESS: a gentleman of scholarly
attainments, educated in Germany.
HON. JOHN ANTHONY  QUITMAN: a native of New  York; one
of our noblest public men; a distinguished lawyer; a leader in the
Democratic Party in the days of its prosperity; prominent in the
Mexican War; and a devoted friend of the University.
Hon. WILLIAM  L. SHARKEY:  whose name  needs but to be
mentioned in a Mississippi audience to secure the homage of admiration and respect for him as a profound Jurist and a large-hearted,
generous nobleman of Nature.
Hon. E. C. WILKINSON: eminent as a Lawyer, a Judge and a
Publicist.
Col. JOHN J. MCCAUGHAN: who figures largely in the financial history of Mississippi; a bold, pronounced infidel, prominent in
his opposition to the connection of religion in any form with the
University.
Rev. FRANCIS L. IJAWKS, D. D.: a polished scholar, a refined
gentleman, an eloquent  orator;  a distinguished  Ministel of the
Episcopal Church; author of a History of North Carolina; a man
of great elevation of character, and extraordinary culture.
Hon. ALEXANDER HAMIILTON PEGUES: a native of South
Carolina; prominent for many years in the councils of this State as
a Senator; who  served the University for sixteen years as Trustee
with marked fidelity; a citizen of this County  from a very early
period, for whom the large mass of this audience retain profound
respect for his patriotic devotion to the true interests of his country,
and who recently passed away from among us, universally lamented.
I4 
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
HIon. WVi. Y. GIJOLSON: a distinguished citizen of Aberdeen,
who removed to Cincinnati at an early period after his appointment
as Trustee, and died there since the war.
Hon. THIIOMAS H.  WILLIIAMS:  " an honest mian" in the true
sense of that phrase; who  served the State as one of the early
Senators in Congress; for many years publicly and actively engaged
ill the political affairs of Mississippi, having canvassed the State in
the celebrated calmpaign in which the payment of the Union Bank
bonds was the great political question, as bond(-paying Dem-ocratic
candidate for Governor; a member of the Board of Trustees for six
years, and Secretary and Treasurer for three years; not excelled by
aly Trustee ever in office, in practical wisdom and enlightened zeal
for the best interests of the University.
Hon. ISAAc N. DAVIS: a Georgian by birth and education;
who for years occupied a prominent place iin the political history of
MIississippi, and whose heart and energies were very freely devoted
to the promotion of the prosperity of the University.
Hion. C. PINCKNEY SMITII: a distinguished Jurist; at the time
of his death, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.   Judge Smith
was a man of a very high order of intellect, and enjoyed the confi dence of his large circle of friends, as a man of integrity and honor,
to a degree far beyond what is usual.  He died in 1864.
Hon. HENRY MOUNGER: a Georgian by birth and education,
who  came to Mississippi at an early period, settled himself as an
i Attorney in the Eastern part of the State, rose to the bench, and,'
withal, was a pious and prominent Minister of the Gospel of the
Methodist Episcopal Church; died in iS5o.
Hon. JOHN J. McRAE: a native Mississippian,  who occupied
many positions of civic honor and trust in the State; elected Gov ernor in I853, serving two terms;  appointed, also, United States
Senator to fill an unexpired term;  and whose best services were
always freely given to the University during the last eighteen years
of his life, which closed in I868.
I5 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
Rev.  DANIEL  P.  BESTOR, D. D.:  an eminenit educator; a
distinguished Minister of the Baptist Church; a man of upright and
spotless character;  a kind-hearted, genial companion  and friend;
irreproacha.ble in all the relations of life; devoted to the University
during the four years of his Trusteeship: he died in IS69.
Hon. GILES M.  HILLYER: promiinent in the journalism of the
State, and in its political history; at New Yorker by birth and education; a graduate of Columbia College in the city of New  York;
Counsellor at Law; who  served as a Trustee  for four years, (lying
in 1870.
IHon. WVILLIAM YERGER:  one of the "nobllest Romans of them
all; " an eloquent advocate; a man of genius and profound legal
learning; tan incorruptible Judge; a Patriot and at Christian; whose
cldeath occurred so recently that the wound inflicted uponI the public
heart has not yet been cicatrized, and no lapse of time can ever obliterate his name from the memoi:y of the people whom he so honlored
by his great services, and of whom  he was -at once an attractive
ornamenit, and strong pillar of support.
Col. JoHN DUNCAN: appointed Trustee in 1iS69;  a zealous and
active member of the Board until his death, which occllurred in the
city of Jackson in IS72.
A  law was passed  by  the  Legislature in  iS56, making the
Governor  of the  State, ex - officio  President  of the  Board of
Trustees.  It is, therefo-)re, proper to state, in this connection, that
there have been eleven Presidents of the Board since the beginning,
of which number five were Trustees by appointmnent, an(d six were
Trustees by virtue only of theii holding the office of Govern-or of
the State.
The list of ex-officio Presidents is as follows:
Hon. JOH-N.1. MIcRAE,*  Hon. WVM.   vCWILLIIE,*  Hon. J. J.
PETTUS,* Hon. CHARILES CLARK, Hon. WM.  L. STIARKEY,* Hon.
B. G. HUMPHREYS, HIon. A. AMES, Hon. J. L. ALCORN, IION. R.
C. POwERS.
*Deceased.
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11 
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
()f these, Governors McRae, Sharkev and Clark were Trustees
ind(lepe(lndently of their holding the office of Governor;  Messrs.
Mc\IVillie, Pettus, Iumphreys,  Ames,  Alcorn and Powers  held
office in the B3oard in right of their official position of Governor.
Four of the Presiding officers are deceased; two of them have
alrea-dv been  noticed,  viz:  Messrs.  McRae  and  Sharkey;  the
remainillng tw-o, Governors McWillie and Pettus, served the Universitv- with fid(lelitv and efficiency-, and both (lied after the late war.
The  foregoing sketches, meagre  as they- are  in  information,
comprise all that can be stated in an address of this character.  To
have an extended biographical notice of all the members of the
Boar(l of Trustees, prepared and preseirved now, while the means of
accurate infbrmation are accessible, is a matter of deep interest to
the University.  It is to be hoped that such a labor of love may yet
be per-formed(, which may he read at leisure, by all the friends of the
Institutiot-n.  The great length to which an Address containing such
sketches woul(d necessaril- be extended, precludes such a tlial- of the
p}itience of any- audience.
II.  FACULI1I1ES AND  THEI-1l  NECIZOLO(GY.
I proceed( to somie historical statements with  regard to the Faculties that have-c been in charge of the variouis Depar-tments of the
1Universitv  since the 6th  of Nov-ember,  I84S, withl notices of all
inciumbents of the -various Chlairs.   Foni presiding officers, under
the title, first of President, second of Chancellor, hav\e administered
the affairs of tlne   niversitv (during  the  Ql,uai-ter Centturv of its
existence, viz:
(GEORGE FiEDEIIICK I1I()I,MES, I,I,. D.:  elected in July., 184S,
and(l wh-(i vacate(l the office aifter one vear's incumbencn-.
A\-vrGUST 3S 3"I,D\VnIN I,ON('GSTREET, ILL. D., D. D.:  elected in
July-, i49, and who  e,si'e         in l S        in6,   held the office for a
term   of 1       h sede9        i,        as.
termii of sC7even v~earis.
FItEDERICK  AUt(;Its,TUS  P'OIiT'Exi Il-)AIN,kItD, LL. D., D. D.:
electe(d    Piesidlent" in August, I856; served under that title until
3
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
I8S59, when the title of " Chancellor" was substituted for it, and
Dr. B. resigned the office in the year iS86i, having served a term of
fivne vears.
JOHN NEWTON  WADDEL,  I). D., LI. D.: chosen to the office
of Chancellor on the 3Ist of July, I865, and consequently eight
vea-rs of his administration hav-e just been brought to a close.
Of the four who have presided over the Institution since its
organization, three survive; one has closed his earthlv  career, full
of vears and honors.
It is impossible, in any record of the past of this University, to
dismiss this revered and honored name with a mere statement of his
connection with it, and a complimentary notice of his aldministration.
Personal and official intimacy with him  alike forhid such a course;
and peculiar relations of affection and family friendship between us,
revolt firom any common-place  notice of such a man.   I mnust,
therefore, ask your indulgence while I attempt some more extended
notice of
REV.A  AUGUSTUS BALDWIN I,ONGSTREET, LLI,. D., D. D.
The more familiar title —that by which he  was best known
among his acquaintances and his oldest friends —was "Judge Longstreet."  He was a Georg,ian.  His name was a familiar household
word in my native home as far back as my early youth.  He w\as a
pupil of my  father's celebrated  "Villington Academy," in South
Carolina, whlich he himself has immortalized in the chapter of the
"Georgia Scenes"  headed  "The  Debating Society."   There he
was fitted for Yale College, where, in the ye,-ar IS3, he grad(luated(
in a class of seventy.  Subsequently, he took his course in Law at
Litchfield, Conn., at the celebrated school of Tapping Reeve and
James Gould, under whose instruction so many distinguished men of
the South pursued their early legal studies. Having entered upon
the career of an Attorney at Law in his native State, with prospects
tunsually bright, he soon rose to the highest rank, and stood among
the foremost of a profession in whichl his compeer-s were such men
as Berrien, Cobb, Dawson, and many others of abilities equally
.........
is 
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
splendid.  He rapidly achievedl such fame, and won for himself such
reputation as a finished and eloquent orator, that he could always
commandi( as large an audience as any man in the State, and, perhaps,  1
larger than could any other man.
Under the powerful influence of God's Holy Spirit, when at the
very hight of his fame and popularity, he abandoned the profession
of Law and the pursuit of politics, and yielding to the chastening
hand of his Hea-venlylv Father, in a deep and sore affliction- the loss
of an only son -he accepted, with a humble and devout spirit, what
he believed the call of God to the Holy Ministry.  While engaged
in this exalted service, he was called by his church to the Presidency
of Emory- College, at Oxford, Georgia, where, without ceasing at
all the ftim(-tions of a Gospel Minister, he adde(d to them the kindred
duties of a Preceptor of Youth, and occupied this position  for
thirteen vears with credit, honor and usefulness.
Called again to preside over the Centenary College, in Louisiana,
he remained there only five months, when,  finding the field one
whollv unsuited to his views, he resigned and returned to Georgia.
Hardlv had he reached his native State when he received the intelligence, firom official  and private sources at once, that he had been
elected tiuanim()ouslv to the Presidency of the University of Mississippi - not having been a candidate for the office.  Here his career
was eminentlv success;fil.  Enterinig upon the duties of his office in
September, I849, fi)or seven years he gave his best services to the
Institution, and in the unparalleled prosperity of the University
ireaped the truest, richest, and most gratifying reward  for all his
inwearying an(d fitithftul toils.
On his entrance upon the duties of his office, he was met by the
two difficulties to which allusion has already been made, viz: First,
The bad repute of the University for order and discipline, and,
Second, The reputation which was unjustly given to the Institution,
that its tendencies  were towards  infidelity.   The  result of the  i
Second Session of the University, (the first of the new administration,) was hardly to be considered a success in all respects, there
being in attendance during the whole year only seventy-six students.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
The people of the State, however, soon discovered that there was
at the  helm  a  Master- Spirit, an(l, year by  year, the  patronage
steadily increased until the number two  hun(lred(l and(l sixtv-four was
reached.   Althoughl this number wats attatinec  (ldnring(- the session
AFTER his resignation, I have always maintailled that it was (due to
the wise administration of President Longs;treet, which hadl gained(
for the University the confidence of the people of the State, aid the
impulse thus impartecl to the Institution continued to operate  atfter
he had left it.   The  resignatioli of this pur-e-mindi(led, upright, ad(
able College Executive, took effect in July, iS56, and I may take
occasion, at this point of his record, to present a double estimate of
him as he appears to me as a public seirvant, and ais h]e was known
to me in the sacred retirement of pri-vate life.
(I.)  As A PLU'LIT( SE.R-.XNT.
His character wats adorned not mi-erely with a. morality current
with the world, but with  the  en(lduring yet chastened  lustre of
Christian purity.  He preserved his dignity and self respect, evenl
when giving fuill flow to his excellent humor.  I-le was vigilant,
without being offensiv-e; he succeede(l in impressing, students with
the belief that hle \was solicitous oinlv fo)r their highlest interest.  He
was eminenltly self-possessed, keeping ev er filll co()mman(l of himself.
He  governed without anyN ostentatious (lisplaly of the machinery of
government.   He  possessed in a remarlkable d(legree, the faculty of
swaying and controlling a student - body  (Ituring  exciting scenes.
Thus much as to his official traits.  No  less estimable and(l attractive
were his characteristics
(2.)  i- PRIVATE \ LItI.
Genial  and( cordial in his tempeirament, he \vwas possessed of a
deep and subtle vien of rich htumor, which was irresistible in its
cheerful  and even  mnirthful influence.   In his heart there \\-as no
malice or bitterness.   His wit partook not in the slightest degree of
sarcasm.   He was charitable in his judgments, liberal in his views,
and public spirited in his relations to all around him.   His opinions
in religion and politics were none the less decided, foir all his tenderness to the creeds of others.  There was no dogmatism about him,
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
nor any timidity in expressing his views.  As a preacher, he was
solemn, earnest, and instructive.  As a writer, his style was chaste
and heautiful.  As a nlan, then, "take hiim all in all," his character
will bear tile closest scrutiiny, lboth in his public and ill his private
life. He wats aI kind husband, aIIn afitectionate father, a humane master,
a considerate neighho()r, ai genial companion, an  affable teacher, a
wise counsellor, a il-na  of faith and trust in God, enjoying to at
degree that was  remarkal)le, the assurance of his atcceptance with
his Heatvenllv Father.  When, on the 9th of Julyl, I870, he closed
his long and useful life of seventy-nine years, nine months  and
eighlteen ldays, he d(lied in faith, and left as a legacy to his desce(lndants
a spotless reputation, and the example of a transcendenitly nohle life.
You will indulge me, I know, while I hrieflv sketch the characteristics of another of my revered and beloved colleag,ues, i miember
of the first Faculty, \who has also passe(l away.   I refer to
JOlIN MILLINGT()N, M. D.
_\n Englishnman by birth and education, he had alrea(lvy reached
the advanced age of three-score years and ten at thle time of his entrance upon his office of Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistr-, in the University of Mississippi.  Reare(d in London, he was
thie associate and pupil of Farra(lay, and was intimate with manyal  of
the distinguished savants of that period, being  a member of the
Royal Society.  Hle was profounldly veised( in the sciences of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, and an adept in Civil
Eng,ineering.  Ile published a work  onI Mechanics, and one on
Civil Engineeriing.
Dr. Millington was a child of Nature, fuill of "the milk of human
kindness;" guileless; a stranger to mailice or envy.  His character
and his nature were miarked hy the utmost simiplicity and honesty.
Conscious of no malice, or fraud, or (leceit in himselif; lhe suspected
none in others.  Faithftil and honest himself in the discharge of
dutv, and in the fulfillment of his personal and relative obligations,
he never thought of charging others with any want of these qualities, until, as it occasionally occurred in his dealings with designing
21
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
men, he fell a victim to the unscrupulous and unprincipled.  Even
then, he was of a forgiving disposition, ftill of the charity that
"cov-ereth a multitude of sins."  He took it for granted( that men
were what they professed to be.
He was  Nwholly devoid of any disciplinary ability, and yet such
was the universal love and respect with which he inspired the classes
under his instruction, that he had(l no difficulty in controlling them
by his influence alone.   A  member of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, he wAas devout without bigotry, and devoted to his own
church without ostracising others.
He remained connected with the University during the first five
vears of its existence, w-hen he resigned to take the Clhair of Chenmistr — and Toxicology in the Memphis Medical College.  Here he
resided until the great War of Sections began.  He had possessed
himself of a most beautifuil and romantic home  in the quiet little
v-illage of LaGrange, Tennessee-fit retreat for a sage in the decline
of life, and he fondly hoped to close here the evening of a long and
lablorious life in peace.  But he was doomed( to a sad disappointment
of this cherished hope.
ILaGrange becaime one of the points of permanenet occtupancy of
the armv of the United States, and although he complied with all
the requirements of the Government, and( availed himself of all
legal means foi pri-otection for himself  and fitnily and property,
-which were offered to him by the authorities of the United States,
vet it availed him nothing.  He was robbed; his lovely home was
despoiledl by  the merciless  ravages of  war,  tn(d to avoi(l these
intolerable evils he ren-ioved to Philadelphia.   There  he resided
until the close of the war, and there he died in peace; and when
he departed this life, one of the kindest, gentlest and truest hearts
thatt ever warmed human bosom, ceased to throb.
Since the organization of the  University, fifty - two  diferent
indlivilduals have filled positions in the Faculty.   Of these eight,
inclusive of the two just sketched, have died, and in regard to the
remaining six, little beyond a mere mention can be made.
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
NATHANIEIl  MACON  CRAAWFORD, D. D.:  an eminent.and
learned Minister of the Gospel of the Baptist Church, and( a son of
the celebrated Wmi. H. Crawford of Georgia, was  Professor of
Ethics and Metaphysics here for only one year. He had presid(led,
with distinguished ability, over two different Institutions of Illcarniiig,
viz: Mercer University, in Georgia, and Georgetown College, Kentucky.  He resigned ill I857, and died ill I8(72.
WIILLIAM F. STrEARINS, LT. D.: was elected l'rofessor of the
Law School in I864, resigned in i86I, removed North,,Iiand(l, silice
the war, terminated his existence by his own hand.
Hon. J. F. TROTTER, was elected Colleague Professor of IL,aw
in 18S6o, resigned in I861, sur-vive(l the war, Iand (lied aI few yeal-rs
since in Hlolly Springs, greatly esteemed by his large circle of friends.
\VILLIAMI  ALEXANDER  EAKIN, M. D., graduated in I$54 w ith]
the highest honors of this Institution, was made Tutor in (Greek in
i856, resigned  in I859, and died in i86i at LaGranige, Tenn.
ROBERT MARMADUTKE KIMBROtTGI, B. A., igrad(ate(l in  S55with distinction, in a class of young men of extraor(linary talent and(l
attainments; was appointed Tutor in iS56, resigned( in IS57, alll
died at an early age of consumption.
DANIEL B13. CARR, B. A., graduated in S857 with fine r-eputation; was soon after appointed Tutor, resigned in  8S6I, and, having
entered the Southern Army  at the beginning of the war,l fell in
battle in one of the engagements that occurred in Missouri.
It is part of the History of the Universitv that I briefly mentionI
the names and number of those who  hav\e filled the various Chairs
of Instruction in its Faculties from the beginning.  There have bees
fifty-two individual Professors and Tuttors in office since the organization, exclusive of the four executives, as folloxws:
One Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, Dr. John
Millington; two of Mathematics and Astronoimy, Drs.;. Bledsoe an(l
Barnard; one of the Ancient Languages, Jn-). N. Wa(l(lel, D. D.;
three of the Greek Language and Literature, Jno. N. Watddel, D.
23 
HISTORICAlT DISCOURSE:
D., HenryV Whitehorn, M. A., andl j. J. Wheat, D. I).; six of tlhe
Modern LIangtuages, Adolph Sad(luski, W. A. Strozzi, W. G. Richard(Ison, M. A., D. M. Scales, \W. S. WN7ylman, MI. A.,  atnd F. A.
Juny, D. D.; two of Latin a d Moldein I,angunages combl)ile(l, W7.
G. Richardson, MI. A., and( Alexalnder j. Quiiiche, MI. A.; one of
Agriculture and Geology, Louis Harper, LL. D.; two of Plhysics,
Astronomy  and( Civil Engineering,  Gen. Alexand(ler P. Stewart,
ain(l F. A. Shoup, Ml. A.; one of Applie(d Mathlematics, F. A. Shoup,
M. A.; one of Analytical Physics -tdii(i Astronolmy, Land(lon C. (arland, LL. D.; two of Pur-e Mlatlhematics, Jordan Mi. Phipps, M. A.,
and C. ~V. Sears, M. A.; three of Chemist-ry, &c., J. C. Keecney,
MNI. A., E. C. B3oyn-ton, M. A., and( Elugene AV.  Hilgar(l, Ph. D.;
one of Natural History an(l Geology, George Little, I'Ph. 1).; three
of MNIetaphysics an(l Ethics, Nathianiel M. Crawford, D. D., George
W. Carter-, D. D., an(d LI,. Q:. C. LIanar, LT.-. D.; thi-ce of English
Liter-atiure, WVnl. D. Moore, MN. A., S. G. Biiurney, D. D., ald Jno.
L. Johnison, MNi. A.; seven of Goveirnmental Science an(l I,aw, WVm.
F. SteIarnIs, LL. D., lion. John  F. Trotter, lion. H.  F. Simirall,
HIon. L. Q. C. Lama-, LLI,. D., Hon. J. A. P. Campbell, TIlenriN
Craft. Esq., and T. J.'Walton, L,L. B.; two of Metaphysics, Logic,
&c., F. A.  Shoup and J. A.  Lyoni, D. D.; one of Metaphysics,
Logic, and Pi-rov-isional Professor of Political Ecolnoyiv an(dl History,
J. A. I,Ly-on, D. D.; one of Natural History at(d (Geology, Ge(-)orge
Little, Ph. D.; one Provisional Professol  of Botany a (l Zoology,v
George Little, Ph. D.;  one Professor of Agi'icultt-ral Chemistry-,
&c., Eugene \W. Hilgard(, Ph. D.; one of the ILatin ILanguage ai(nd
Literature, A. J. Qliinchle, MI. A;; eight a(djunct Pirofessoirs, viz: three
of Mathemiatics, L. Q: C. Lamar, LL,. D., Jordan M. Phipp)s, M. A.,
and Robt. J. Guthrie, B3. A.;  onle of Ellish Literature, Johnl \\V.
Shields, 13..; OnelC of Phy.sics, Rohert 13. Fultoll, 13. A.; one o(-)Chemist-ry, Jo(hn BP. AN(lger, Jr.; one of Priaictical Agriculture, M. AV.
Phillips, AI. D.; tan(l one of (Greek, Ilistory, &c., Allert HIall hllitfield, M. A.   Fiftecii have fille(l the office of Ttuti, v-iz: G(eo. F.
Stainback of Ancient Laiingtiages; W,. A.  fl,kin of Greekl; Charles
H.  Lee of lJiitini; R. M.  Kimlirogh of Mathematics;  WTmi R.
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
Barksdale of English Literature, &c,; Daniel B. Cari- of Mathematics;  W. T. J. Sullivan of English; Burton N. Harrison of
Physics; Robert Hills Loughridge of Chemistry;'Edward Mays
of English; Robert J. Guthrie of Mathenmatics, &c.; John W.
Shields, of Latin and English; Albert H. Whitfield, of Greek alnd
History; and John N. Davidson, of Languages.
8. FINANCIAL HIST()RY OF THE UNIVERSITY.
I premise by saying, that my authorities on this subject are
found in the journals of Congress of i8i9; ill Hutchinson's Mississippi Code, from I798 to 1848; and in a message of Hon. John. J.
MIcR.ae, Governori of Mississippi, adldressed to the Legislature on
the 6th of February, I856. From these sources I learn, as already
stated on a preceding page of this discourse, that, in accordance with
an act of Congress, passed on the 20thl of February, I8i9, a township of land was granted to the State for the purpose of establishing
a Seminary of Learning; that the right should be vested in the
Legislature, in Irusi, for this purpose; that the Legislature accepted
the trust; that after the selection of the lands, which was judiciously
maide, the State pursued the policy of leasing them until March,
I833, at which timie an act of the Legislature was passed, providing
for the sale of the thirty -six sections; that the sale was made in
IS33, oni one, two, and three years' time, and the notes were made
payable on Novemnber Ist, 1834, I835 and I836, respectively.  The
next legislation in regard to this fund, which is of imiportance, is
thiat recorded in the eleventh section of " an Act for the Collection
and Investment of the Seminary Fund," whereby it is made the
"duty of the State Treasurer to credit the University Fund with
"interest at the rate of five per cent. per annum, upon all moneys
" heretofore paid into the Treasury, firom the time when so paid to
"the passage of the act; and thereafter, to credit said fund with
"interest at the rate of eight per cent. per animitn, upon all moneys
"due from the State to said Funid."
Conscious as I am of the fact that I am  approaching a subject
on which there has been mnuch discussion and no little feeling on the
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
part of many, I remark that I design no offence, but shaill cofltine
myself to a statement of facts that must be accepted as historically
true, and to certain legitimate inferences from these facts.
After the sale of these landls, tn(d during the crisis consequent
upon the wild and ruinous financial career of this State, very nearl-ly
all of the proceeds of those sales were lost; the remnant saved from
the wreck amountinig to less than $200,000.
I next quote from  Governor  McRae's Message in 1i856, the
following:  " By  applying the rule laid down in this law to the
"ascertainment of the condition of the fuilnd on the ISt of Januarytv,
i1856, it is discovered that the sum due fiom  the State to the Uni"v-ersity Fund was, at that time, $1,077,790.07."
The Governor then proceeds to deduct the appropriations nmade,
ti'om time to time, by the  fegislature, for the establishment  anid
suppo rt of the University, computing interest upon those advances
bv the same rule.is previously upon the ftiu(d itself.  The amount of
these aippropriationIs, with  interest  itd(le(l, computed as above, is
$203,465.58, which, deducted  from  $1,o77,790o.o7, leaves, as  the
actual sum due seveinteein years aigo, $874,324.49.
This calcula.iti()l, I xveriv well ieinember, was madle b  mll' iiil)inediate predecessor-, )r.  larnard,  tt thlait time Professor of Maithematics, whose skill in such calculations no o0me ever (lollu)te(l.  This
state of tlhe fitcts of the caise was iuade knownl to the Legislature;
but that bo(ly pei.sistentlv refised( to acknowle(lge the indel)tedness
of the State to the University to that iamonuollt.  The  utmiiost that
could be obtaine(d firom the Legislature was the recognitionll of the
sum of less thanl $200,000, referre(l to labov,e, Oil whichl the State ha(d
b)een p)iyingil  interest, altiolintin(' to il)o(ut $1 I,500 per -lllltln-m.
I quote, igain, fr'om ai  writer in 1i 856, \v-ho sayvs: " To the honor
iof the  Board(l of Trustees then in oflice, thev cause(l that ai bill
"should be prepare(l  in(d intro(lduced illto the Senate, atckliowle(lging
"*this amotunt of $874,324.49, ais due to the University froni the State,
when forthwith, opposition of suchli ai chliracter was mainifested, as
"to indutce its firiends to accept a poor substitute, and to withdraw,
"temporarily, the orignal.  The substitute passed the Senate no one
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lTNIVERSITY  OF  MISSISSIPPI,
'"dissenting; but wvhen it reached the House, it encountered a fierce,
"b hittelr, and almost malign,ant opposition.  After a long and aIrduouis
'"struggle, howev-er, it passed that  )odlv b- a matjoritv of two, and
'r-ecei-ved( the siginature of the Govern'or.  The aimounit thus appro'priated was $20,000 annually, and was accepte(l by the Trustees,
"-very- propelly, under protest.  The Legisl,ature considered this anl
4 appropriation,  not acknowledging-  the  obligation t(o) pay either
principal or interest on the debt claimed bv the Trustees.  The
Board, on their part, d(id not ask for an a l)pIopiatio()in; thev- olvy
demanded the pay-ment of a just an, d, lafll (le)t."
I chronicle  as the next fict of historical  interest oil this subject,
that since the war, w-hen  the  LUniveisity \,was in great need(, another
ellor-t -wais male b- the B3oar( of Triistees to ol)tain ani ackn()wlc(lgemient  of the Statc's indtel)te(ldness  to  the  Utniv-Crsity, which
resulted in a simiiilai  refil.s;al to r-ecognize it, lin(l a sinilar atpprolpriationl of $20,000 per annum.   I ha ve since pr1esente(l to the Go-vernor
calculation(), ma(le by my- esteemied and (listiinguishe(l colletag,ue, Dr.
Garlan(l, at my request, which  imaikes the in(lebte(dness of the State
to the Univiersity- ()ver One  Million anl a falf (of I)ollars,  fter
(de(ltuctillg all appropriations.
The latest legislation ha(l il)()ll the suiiject of the slupp()it (of the
Univers.;it-, is that -whiclh ailpprp)l)riated " $5o,ooo in cash," ainnuall y\
fol- ten years, an(l, in the bo(l  of the aict itselft; it is car'uefiily state(l
that this is "in litei of the  A\nnul   Appi()pritio in madce by Law for
the  supp)ort  of the  University.'   The  question has  hcel)  raised
w-hether thlis incltudles tlhe $ 1i,3o00  iannual  interest  on the ackinowledged (del)t, or. whiether it refin-s ()nlv to the $2o,oo000.   The  latter is,
iunidoubtedly-, the t     anue ain(l just col,nstlucti()ll to l)e )place(l lipon this
clause of the A-ct.
I h-ve tiuts l)lace(l on r-ecoir-(l so tmuchl of the finainmciial hlistoiry of
the Univ-ersityv as brling.s it down  to the presenlt perio(l.   Some
ftirther- facts, cognate to this subject, need(l to be mentioned in order
tha.t the whole of the truth may be p-resente(l  it oiIce, aii(d ain intelligent v-iew may- be taken of the matter.
-.1  -.1    1...  -.....   l-    ..;          1. I — ------- -- 1..  
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I hISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
I.  The appropriation of $50,ooo per annuam seemed at the time
so ample for all purposes, and so munificent withal, that, at a meeting of the Board of Trustees subsequently, a resolution was passed
abolishing the tuition fee, (only $50o,) and throwing the Halls of the
University open to  the free access  of all Mississippi  students.
Though done with the veiy best of intentions, the practical effect of
this resolution of the Board has worked  somewhat disastrously to
the finances of the University, as well as to its injury in other
respects.
Previous to the war, the income of the University from three
sources, would aver-age $4o0,000ooo in cash, and very frequently in gold.
Since the war, also, about the same amount has mnost generally been
realized.  The three sources referred to are the fi)llowing:
I.  Interest on acknowledged debt,        - -        $II1,500
2.  Appropriation, (including Law Department,)   22,000
3.  Tuition, say     -    -    -    -    -    -        8,ooo
$41,000
Compare these statements with the facts now existing, and it
will be found that, although our income is, nominally, $50,00ooo, since
it is paid in warrants, which are at a discount of twenty-five or
thirty per cent., the University loses $12,500 to $15,ooo annuailly.
So that instead of $50,ooo, the annual appropriation nets the University not more than $37,500, and often $35,000ooo-less by $4,000
or $6,ooo than it was before the appropriation was made.  Obviously, wve have been seriously damaged  by the abolition of the
tuition fee.
II. Another fact known to the' immediate friends of the Univer-sity, hut never pressed upon the attention of our Law Makers, is
that, inasmuch as the sum of $i i,5oo has always been acknowledged
as lawfully due the University annually, being interest on the debt
recognized by the State, a little over four years' interest, which
accrued during the war, remains still unpaid, amounting to $45.000.
Two considerations have been offered against the recognition of
the large indebtedness of the State, and the consequent obligation to
pay the annual interest.
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
I.  The poverty of our people. Admit tile fact; we are poor;
but whv not acknowledge the debt?  If we owe an, part of it, we
owe it all; if it he a just debt, we have no  right to repudiate one
dollar of it.  We may as well confess the fact, and then agree upon
the payment of such a rate per cent. of interest as may seem  reasoniable; at four per cent. the income from the accumulate(l inl(ebte(dness
would yield the sum of $65,oo000 or $70,000.
2.  Some may tell us that "if any man expects the State to 1)ay
this debt he is extremely verdant.  It is not fashionable in these
(lays of fast progress to do such obsolete things.  VWhoeNver does so,
d(lemonstrates his utter destitution of business capacity; he is not,
financial Napoleon; he will not get on in life, b-  clea.vilg to the
exploded theories of what is called honesty and justice.  Moreover,
if a member of the Legislature shoul(l b b  bold and rash enough to
vote for such a measure, he would be guilty at once of political
suticide; his constituents would never trouble him again with calls to
public service, an(ld he would haste perpetual fuirlougih fioni- the Ta1-ll1s
of Legislationl."
There is, doubtless, "more truth than poetry"' inii this last idlea.
I v-enture the assertion that this is the gram(1 fiundaimental ohstacle to
the honest settlement of the State's indebtedness to the University
Fund.  But might does not make right, and although it may be sai(l
that "corporate bodies have no consciences," yet 1 hold, with D)r.
\Vayland, to the old - fashioned doctrine that, "it is sufficient to know
that every one of the corporators has a conscience, and is responsible
to God for obedience to its dictates.  Men may mystify lbefore etchl
other, and may stupeif the monitor in their iown bosoms, bv throwing the blame of perfidy upon each other; but it is yet worthy to be
remembered that they act in the presence of a B3eing, with whom
'the night shineth as the (lday,' and that they tmust appear befbore a
tribunal where there will be' no shuffl1ing".'
One more, (and, in my opinion, not the least ilmportalt,) remlark
to be made on this subject, is that the University wvas inot endowed
by the State.  It was endowed by Congress.   The State is merely
the Trustee of the Endowment Fund.   She has neveri even paid
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
the interest on the lost fund.   Consequently, when it is said thlat this
is one of the Schools of the State, " supporte(ld b  taxation," let it be
renmembered that this is not true.    ea1 tl-his ill inil(l, foir you imadiscov-er hereafter- that it is a historical ftet lupon  wvhich V(')u l)avo-lally- fall back.
9. PROGRESS ANI) RESLLT,S.
The Univ-eisity of  lississippl)i has beell at Chartere(l Institution
for tenty-v nine year-s, and has been in actual  operation f)r necarlv
twenty- five years.  It was organized on the 6th of November, I4,
and its exercises were sutspend(led ( tlring the f()nr years. of the late Nwar.
It is impossible to estimate, iin anyv statistical or talbutlar fobrm, the
results accomlplisle(l by- the University  duiing  the  perlio(l  of its
existence, since they- are purielv- lmoial and(l  intellectual.  Still some
approximate estimate may bc reaclhe(l.  The -numberj of (lifti.cient students who have attended its HIalls foir a longer or shorter- peiio(ld, mlay
be supposed about 2,ooo.  Of our 530 Alumnii, T 1l.  have receive(l the
degree of Bachelor of  Laws-.thle  diploma  autolrizing  them to
practice Law-  in anv- of the Courts  of the  Staite.   The remiaining
Alutimni hear thie respective dliploimas of  achiel()or of Arts, B3achlelor
of Science, and  Civil ETngineer.  Of those  wlh\(  (lid not  com(-)iplete
their course, the large naaj(riti- remaine(l  it the tniviersity long
enough,  and  \-ere silficienitly- diligent a.s stud(lenIts, to  itcquir-e ali
amountit of valuable  training  such l is will (lualifv  thell   for- tlhec
active duties of Life.  AVs large at pr-oportion of (iiir \luimni  ]have
rendered distinguished service to the State, in various  I)Dcpai-tmeneits,
as can be found, within the same  limited perio(l of ti-iie, lmonig the
Alumnii of an- other Institutiou.  DIi'ing a space of o()nlyl- eighteen
years have we  been engaged in sending out gia(aduates, an(l alrea(dy
the names  of our Ali-umni are  rec(rde(l  aimongI  the activ-e, usefil
M/inis.ters of the  Gospel, some  of whom  hold rlink allong  the
foremost of thleir respective  churchles; the Medical and I egal Pr()fessions are ado-rne(d by their names;  nany aire Agriculturtists; so(lie
are Engineers; se-veral a-re filling Pliofesso-rshlips; sixteen have hel(l,
and are now holding positions in the Faculty  of our (oWn University,
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-worthlily represented, the Al iumni of this Univ-ersity.
This,  certainlyl, is no  ignoble  reco(rd  fbor  all  Instituttion  only
t\venty -five yeairs  of, age  to  have  nma(le;  anmd  so  long ls we canl
1()int thle iinquirer- to  such  inames  as thlose o()f the  brothers  M.  and
\\n-i. C.  Pegues, in the  honore(l  emiplovyment  of Axgricultlure; of
Richardson,  N\Titherispooi, Siillivtan,  Iatmbuth,  Stainhback,  Greeln,
Gill, X\eller atnd( Da.vidsoin in the Ministry;  of  13Barksdale, Chalmiers,
A\ilton, the brotlhers Fatlc(nIei, Phippsh )         elen, Mtl,  (l  FaIit, in the
I^w'; of ELikini, Ctlhounti, McSwinie, ti(nd McRaiven i;n Mediciine; o)f
RaindihIolphI, FIllcoiner, flarper  i  Mole!n  in Journa'tlism; of our owll
cor1)s of tetchers i]] this 11stitiltti) I,  Gthie I,  iilton, Matyes, West,
Shie]lds9  C  lrr,  L(ng;h);ri(lge, AWhitiel(l, DItavi(1s()l,  fd (tf hun(Ireds
O  othel's  \\hthose  itmels  ti c euallty  worth7, in othei  (lel)- rtmeits
in(l, llast ()f aill, \Vhile \-e cai 1)(oint to HIerring' 111(l laI(Hllowvay', 1an1(l
I)I()yd, PIh ipps,.\krnol(l, Lel,, McKie, Casse(ldav lid other-s inll the
S%tate Leislture  it cannoillt  be  si(l thiat the  Universit   has bIeen
a)rrei'Cn' (11l)le iresnlts.
Is it expecting too linchi tihen, thl-it  the slu)l)oirt of the pe(ple of
the State  sholil(i be givenl to it; that the  Legislatur-e sholil(l sustain
it bx- ai clar' ed, b(id,  n(l liberal p()licv?'IThlle Stte, as T irustee
(otf the U     niv rsit  Flin(l, has thuls fir sutst-ained( it inl pl't, amd( eliabled(
it t()  ccomp)lishll   these i       eslt's  t siselv it is  slnll praise t(o sav  thus
mluch.   She  clinmot,  \-ith  justice, cl]lilun  to  1htvc  (lischai'lc   her
,h()le (Iitv t() the Iinstituition.
t-Unii(lerI  the  pi-esenit  ilatigeneit,  h()II]c\e',;Ierel])   1)nl      V
porti(n o)t the  -rightfill (dues (of the Uni-er-sity is ieceivc(l alnually, 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
the various B13oar(s of Trustees which have had the direction of
afftirs, have been ellnabled to enlarge the Faculty as the wants of the
tniversitv (demanded; to erect additional buildings from  time to
time; to build an Observatory, arranged upon a plan of Chancellor
1Bainarid, for the reception of a magnificent Telescope, but which
was never received on account of the interruption occasioned by the
vwar; to purchase apparatus and collections, and  to add  to the
appointments of the Institution, and thus to place it ill some sort of
co(ndition to do its work as a School of the Higher Learning.  After
thle appropriation was first made, of $20,000 annually, before the
\war, the con(lition of matters was v-ery (leci(le(lly inproved(l, and( tlhe
results were f-ir more satisfactory than thev ever had been previously.
This reform- is due to the scientific skill, zeal, and judgm:ent of
Chlatncellor 13arnardl, more than to aInv other cause.  No one, however, who is in a situation to know, has ever said that the state of
the finances has been entirelv satisfactory.  Certainlv they are far
fio(lm being in a desirable condition at present.
io. COMIPARATI'VE \IEW\V ()F ()''THER INSTIT'UTI()NS.
1,o manv, $.o,ooo aninually appropriated to the support of a
WUniversitv, seemis,in enormlous  an(l  extravtagant sumn; aiid it is
thotught, that in this daty of extremie povertv, we shoutld be slow to
indul(le ouirselves in costlv an(l iunnecessa-ry luxuries, such as Collegiate Ediucition is generally supposed to be.  Few are aware of the
inmotlunt of monlev that is absolutelv nee(led in o(rder to carrv on
successfitllv t great Institutionll   of Learning.   I et us take a rapid
view of matters in this co11nnection, in those Colleges tan(l Universities
\-hicl-i staii(I f)irwvar(d miost promineniit.
I ItRv-tARD  U NIvxERSITY. —IIn one single year since the war, this
Instituttion received $475,ooo.   She lost, byv the great B3oston fire
last winiter-, $300,000 in real estite, whose rents constituted a large
part of her income; her entire loss has been nearly restored  by
privaite subscriptionl.  Her incomle fi-om all sources, and( for all purposes, amounts to nearly $300,000; her Faculty niumbers nearly one
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
hundlre(d; her un(lerra(utates to about eleven or twelve hundred;
eveni her Freshman Class, it is reporte(d, numbers about four hun(Ired namies.
YAL_E  COI.LEGE.   At  this ancient seat of Learning, where
thev have seveni or eight h(undred students, they  are successfully
raising a fiu(nd to increase their endowment, which will amount to
$5oo,ooo; thev are to have a nlew Chapel costing $Ioo,ooo; two
large Dorm-itor-ies of most splendid architectutie, have been built
since thle war; and evely  appeal for  I((dditiolltl fill(nds is p-romptly
met by private liberality.
CORNELL UNIVEISITY.   The income of this Institution  from
all sources is about $Ioo,ooo; its endowment fulnd, not yet completed,
will reach about Three Millions.
THE  COLILEGE OF NEWV JERSEY, better known as PRINCETON
COLLECGE.   OOne Mnillion of Dollars have been added to its funds
witlhin the past fiv-e years.
THE  UNIV ERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. - The Legislature of this
State, in the session of  IS7I-72,  qappropriated to its  University
$300,000 merely for build(ling purposes, and $72ooo annually  for
current expenses.
THE UNIXVERSITY OF MICIcIGAN.- This  nol)le Institution is
constantly encouraged by the State Legislatture in the prosecution of
its great -work, and( ha-ving a princely income, extensive Libraries,
splendid Cabinets in all depar-tments of Science, ample Buildings,
and( lar-c Faculties of men emimeut in the various Schools of Sci ence, Literature, and the Arts, in Law  aid Medicine, I (lo  not
wonlder that thev attract, annually, twelve hun(lred students, not  a
few of whom are fi'om other States.  These are results naturally
consequent upon a wise andl liberal expenditure of money by  the
State.   Although she has plucked fi'om  our (tia(lem one of our
brightest jewels,* yet in this she is not to be censured, since she pos sesses those attractions w-hich will alwa.-ys command the  tbilities of
the first iand( most accomplished Educa-tors.
* Prof. E, W. HILGARD.
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5 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
From the foregoing facts, it is readily perceived how much is
considered by these great Institutions, to be absolutely essential, in
order that they may be enabled to fuirnish the proper forin of education for the country and for the times.  These Schools of Highiler
Learning, both public and private, both those established by the
State, and those founded by private munificence, all, with  united
voice, declare that they cannot do effective work witlhout large contributions of money. These very Institutions, rich and favored as
they are, still cry out for more money; and very naturally, for they
have been elevated just high enough to enable themn to look abroad,
over the outspread fields of human want, and human ignorance, and
human effort,-those vast unoccupied tracts, which could be cultivated, and where the blessings of a lofty culture would elevate and
bless the world, if only additional aid were extended. Not a dollar
of what they have is misspent, but they need more, in order to
do more.
So do we need more- a great deal more than we have. If it
be too much to hope that the debt due the University will be
acknowledged, then, at least, ought our granted income of $50,ooo
to be paid in cash, and not in depreciated State warrants. Could
this be accomplished, then we could not only continue the University
Instruction on its present scale, but, by close economy, every part of
the external arrangements could be kept in fair working order, and
in good repair. This would be much; and it is more than we are
now able to do.  But is this all we need?  Ought we not to enlarge,
and extend our facilities for the advancement of the various Departments?  This we must do, or stand still for the want of these
advantages, while all other  Institutions are constantly progressing, and, by their superior attractions, inl(lucing our Mississippi
students to abandon their own State Institution, seeking abroad what
they cannot find at home.
? CONDITION, AND SYSTEM OF THIE UNIVERSITY.
our disadvantages, we do not hesitate to say that we
e nucleus of a great Institution of Learning.  Three
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
years since it was organized anew, upon the plan of courses of
study meeting every demand; the close College system having been
abolished. This, it is but just to remark, had been resolved upon
long before the change of the Board of Trustees; the former Board
hlaving taken action as far back as the year I869, ordering the matter to be investigated, and a report to be made upon the subject.
The adoption of this system, which is elective as to the course, but
obligatory as to all studies of ally course, at once tended to popularize the Institution. The free feature as to tuition, increased our
numbers to some extent, and the Scholarship Law, though objectionable in many respects, doubtless induced some to come to us who
would not otherwise have been able to bear the expense.
The standard of Scholarship is far higher than ever before. It
never was so difficult to enter the Freshman Class; it is next to
imnpossible for a student from abroad to join our Sophomore Class;
and our Tunlior and Senior Classes are, necessarily, made up solely of
our own prepared  students.  NVhen  the question of graduation
comes  up  for  decision, it is the  law  here,  that  a  student
shall not be graduated if his entire record  shall show  a deficiency in a single department.  He must have no mark below the
grade of fifty, in a scale whose maximum is one hundred.  We  do
not graduate all, even those who  pass, with the same diploma.
There are diplomas of the First Class, conferred only upon those
wh-ose entire four years' course has placed them above 90.  The
diploma of the Second Class is given only to those whose average
grade, for four years, has been found to be between 75 and 9go.
Students whose aver-age is between 50 and 75, receive a diploma of
the Third Class.  Should any student fall below 50, as stated above,
he cannot graduate.
i2. BUILDINGS, AND OTHER MATERIAL APPOINTMENTS.
\Ve  have, located upon our Campus, and adjacent to it, twelve
brick edifices, and one framed build(ing, the property of the University.
Eight of these are for the use of the Faculty, as residences; three for
Students' Dormitories; one Lyceum, containing Lecture Rooms,
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
Library and Collections, besides the Chem-ical Laboratory; the Ohserv —atory for Astronomiical purposes, thle Magnetic Observatory, and
a brick work-shop.   WVe have splendid Chemical, and Philosophical
and Astronomical Apparatus; a Cabinet of Shells mnd Minieralogical
specimenls;  collections of Fossils, Soils,  n(l  other  Geological
Apparatus;  besides  instrumeneits  to  illustrate  Mathematics  m-id
Engineering.
Since the war, the income of the University has been barely
sufficient to sustain the Institution.  No building, has been (lone of
ainy conseclquence, and only a-bout five hundred volumes have been
added to the Library.  No  additionli, appztratus has T)een purchased.
The Geological and Mineralogical Cabinets  have been, to some
extent, enlarged.  The invested resources of the Ulliversity d(o not
exceed $200,000, asid(le firom  the  lost  en(lowment  fin(d, which
according to most atpproved calculations, imust now amount to ovei
One Millioin and a Half of Dollars.
13. TIHE AGRICUTLTUR AL COLLEGE.
In I862, a bill was passed by Congress, granting to all the States
an amount of public lands in the proportion of 30,oo000 acres for every
representative, including the two Senators, in Congress, for the plirpose of establishing in each State one or more "Colleges of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts." This gave to Mississippi 2I10,000ooo
acres.  By an act of the Legislature of this State, this was divided
between this University and Alcorn University, giving us two- fifths,
and to the other Institution three - fifths of the number of acres.
The land-scrip was sold at the rate of ninety cents per acre, and wats
invested by the Governor in State bonds, bearing interest at eight per
cent. per annuim.  Our share being 84,00ooo acres, brought the sum of
$75,6o00, which, being judiciously invested as above stated by the
Governor, will yield a handsome interest to sustain this Department.
But inasmuch as, by the very terms of the Congressional grant, no
part of this fund can be used for building purposes, it became necessary that the Legislature should make some appropriation in order
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36 
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
to put tile Institution in a condition even to begin operations.  This
they fttiled to do, yet the energetic and enthusiastic veteran AgricuLltutrist, Dri. MI. W. Phillips, Superintendent of the Farm, has fenced,
planted, and cultivwted a farm; planted / firuit nursery; and is
planning  largely, in spite of all the difficuLlties he has encountered.
It is obviously the duty, as well as the interest of the Legislature, to
appropriate a sum of money as an outfit for the Institution, since the
grant wras accepted on the conditions specified, and will be an entire
loss to the State otherwise.
I4. AN AI'PPEAL.
FFI LOWN- CITIZENS: Tlhat was a truthfill and noble  decltarattion
made bvy Hlis Excellency, Gov. Powers, in his Annual  Message to
the Legislatture, that "' the educational interest is par-amountt to all
others in the State."   It is so;  you may believe it.   Foster this
cause  encourage it in its true sense, incllding, the culture of the
whole manl, physical, moral and spiritual, and the State will be bellnefited infinitely  more than by any merely  material inmprovemient.
WVe call upon the men of all parties, and of all classes, to rally to
the support of the University, generously casting aside all heartI burning and jealousies, recoglfizini here, at least, common grotund
i of occupancy by all true patriotic Mississippians.
I appeal to the Trustees and to the Legislators, to join iill league
for this noble object; I appeal to the Press of the State to lay aside
part animosity and rancor, and uinite inll thle support of the Univer sityv  to the students now  enjoying the blessings of its elevating
culture, to put forth every effoibrt to rear high the character and replu tation of the University, as a moral Monumental Pile to the refinle mIent, culture, and Christian Civilization of the State.  And to you,
oh! Alumni.!- so many of whom are my beloved pupils - let me
saN7 this is more your work than that of any  single class besides.
Do not abandon your Alma Mater; let no circumstances of discour agement drive you from her!  Stand by her; shield her; work for
her; speak for her!  Then, ultimately, great beyond conception
shall be your reward, in the ever-growing and ever - wi(lening power
for good, in time and for eternity, of this beloved Institution.
I 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE:
It cannot be that this great Commonwealth,  with  her grand
resources of soil, climate, and variety of products; her annually
increasing population, and her wealth   that intelligent regard to her
true interest which characterizes her people, will ever rest quietly
in(ler the reproach, that she cared only for material prosperity, while
r earing  a race of ignorant and  corrupt men  to control her afrairs.
Nor can she be content to behold her Sister States fostering their
Institutions of Learning, while she devotes herself to no interest save
those productive of material wealth.
There are indications in certain quarters that, in this advocacy of
the cause of University Education in this State, I am probably expo sing myself to criticism of no firiendly character.   But  indulge me
in saying, that it has been a rule of my life to deliberate carefiully
upon  a proposed  course of action before  making  my  decision.
When, however, the position of duty shall have been assumled, there
I endeavor to plant my feet as upon a rock, not to be moved by the
tumult of a storm-shaken deep, dashing its wild waves  against me.
In the University of Mississippi I see, not a political machine, as its
enemies charge, but a noble foundation, whereon, by your assistance,
we may erect a grand Institution that shall be the great Educational
Centre of the entire Southt-West.  For this cause, so long as I shall
be allowed to do so, I shall be content to labor, the sneering critic,
iand the silly scribbler "to the contrary, notwithstanding."
Is. CONCLUSIONS.
This occasion awakens emotions and reflections of a mingled(
chlaracter: at once pleasing and solemn.  WVe stand on an eminence
in the track of time, from whose summit we may cast a look in both
directions.  We look back upon the over-past portion of our University life, and we behold it all lying out plainly revealed, bathed in
the broad suLnlig,ht of reality, of experience, of historic truth.  We
have just gone over it in review.  We have trodden its plains; stemmecd its floods of opposition; climbed its rugged cliffs of difficulty;
descended into its shadowy, cavernous  depths  of despondency,
3S 
JNIYAF,$ITY OF MississiPPI.
opened before us by its enemies. We have traveled together cheerily with our friends.  We have steadfastly held on our way, and met
our foes; opposing to all the shafts of calumny and malice, the
impenetrable and indestructible shield of incorruptible integrity and
truth.
And now, this day, in all the elements of true prosperity; in our
elevated standard of scholarship; in the enlightened zeal and liberality of our Board of Trustees; in the reputation of our Faculty for
learning, skill, and high-toned morality; in the manly tone of our
student-body; in the rising prominence, and prospective greatness of
our Alumni; all the fruits of our first Quarter-Century of labor, we
stand on a most exalted and gratifying elevation.
The University is known abroad as well as at home. She has a
National reputation.  Yale has formed our acquaintance, and interchanged civilities and visits.  We have Harvard on our list of friends.
Amherst knows of us, and has entertained us.  Dartmoutth, Columbia College, and Princeton, have heard of us, and  have seen our
representatives  and Michigan, the great Western giant, is our correspondent;  and Jefferson's child, the  grand  old  University of
Virginia, has often been exchanging with us the courtesies of the
Republic of Letters; she has been enjoying the services of one of
our Alumni,* and she has given us, in turn, two of her own  sons.t
We are admitted as members of the Scientific Associations of the
land, "free of the guild," and recognized everywhere as entitled to
full standing with the noblest and the best of contemporaneous sister
Institutions.  " What hath God wrought" for us in the Qiarter-Celntury! "Ebenezer" for the past; "Jehovah Jireh" for the fuiture!
Indulge me now, for a moment, as I turn from the backward
glance, and send on a forward outlook to the future.  " The past, at
least, is secure:" what of the coming time? Who will be here in
i898, to celebrate the next-the semi-centennial-the Jubilee of the
University? Within the last twenty-five years, from the rolls of the
various bodies of Trustees, Faculties, Alumni, and Students, the
* Dr. T. D. WITHERSPOON.               t Professors ADGER and JOHNSON.
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40                    HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
names of at least one hundred and fifty have been stricken out by
death.  In the next twenty-five years, how many, and who shall fall?
I know not who shall be here to participate in the celebration of
the next Anniversary. It will not be difficult to point out some, now
present, who most surely will not be present then. One, I know, in
all human probability, will not be here. I do not expect to engage
in your next celebration.  My work will be done; my stewardship
closed; my account rendered.  The large majority of my audience
will have left these mortal shores.  But I earnestly trust, I cannot
but believe, that the Jubilee will be celebrated nctwithstanding. I
will cling to the hope that, on that occasion the University will number her thousand attending students, instead of our three hundred.
Nor will I admit the doubt, that by that time, the added history of
the University will have raised her to an eminence, side by side with
the loftiest and the best.  That this " consummation so devoutly to
be wishled," may be realized, let us from this day begin the work,.
under fresh impulse, to be completed by our successors.
For my part, this University has my heart's affections. She was
my first love.  By unforseen circumstances, I may be severed from
her,   I know- not, - I know not, - yet evermore shall her glory
send a tlhrill of joy, and her woes a pang of grief, through my soul.
One boon I ask.  I imay not stand upon the same lofty elevation
whereon  now stand my predecessors, Holmes and Barnard; I may
never reach the eminence of Longstreet, the great and the good; but
I would fain carve my humble name upon the pedestal of the University Monument.   VWhen the touch of death shall lay me in the
grave, then let me sweetly sleep beneath the shadow of her famne,
amid these classic groves.  Content shall I be to know, and to have
it known, that, with such men, I labored for TIlE GILORY  OF TIIE
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
I