UNIVERSITIES IN AMERICA.
'n   uau uddt~T
DELIVERED IN ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN,
October 1st, 1S863.
BY REV. E. O. HAVEN, D.D., LL. D.
PRESIDENT OF THIE UNIVERSITY OF MICIAIG AN.
PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY.
ANN ARBOR:
C. G. CLARK, JR., BOOK AND JOB PRINTER,
CO U RI R OF  I C E.
1863.
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A D DR  E S S.
[PREFATOR~ i-NOTE.-On Thtrsday, October 1st, 1863, the beginning  of a
College year for tile University of I1ichligai, Rev. Dr. Haveu was  inaugurated(
as President of the University, in the morninig, in the Presbyterian Church  in
Ann Arbor.  In the afternoon the nIew Law Buildiiig was opened with appropriate exercises lheld in the Law Lecture Room.   These exercises consisted of
Prayer offered by Rev. Dr. lHogrth of Detroit, a Dedicatory Address by Prof.
Thlomas M. Cool,ey, and a Poeml by D. Betiniice Duffield, Esq., of D)etroit.   ii
the evein,.itddresses were givenll in tile Iresbyteriain Clturch l  y Rev. LueitLu
D. Chjpin, A.., I'I roftsor of Morl a   li(,l Iltellectual I'hilosoplly, lxid Stamultl
G. Armor,. 1)., IIProfessor of IIstitutes of Medicinre and Mateia led(ica.
Th.e Iinaliiural Eixercises conlisted of IPrayer by Rev. Mr. IJglis of DI)etroit.
an Introductory Address ty HIon. Donald MAiclityre of Ann Arbor, in behalf,f
tLe Buord of iPgeLits, and tie folloing Inaguralll Address:
GENTLElMENX OF TIll, BOARD OF REGCINTS:
I ai  ilil)p-essed wvitli the conviction tlhat tle office to Whlich
you have called mie demands  all the tlloughlt'nld energy  and
industiryv of wlicili I atn capable.  AVTlatever I inav succeed iii
accomlpli.shiing, tlheie will still be a vast area suggested to the
imaginiation, of  Nwhat wil l al,peal.r pos        sible aiId desiable   I
enter lupont these diuties withl a deep sense of the necessity of
the hleaity co-op)era tion of all who aire iitterested in ti(he Ilanagoment of thlle Ulniversity, alid withl a profound feelitng of dependelee ul)oin tlhe al))roval and bl-essinig of. Altnighlty God.
The Un,iversity of  Iicligaln has not, like sonie institutionsI of
the kiild ini other cottntrii*  a history of a thousand years, with
usag,es  that seem  to rival in  regulaiity the  laws of nature.
Such univeisities it mnst be compl)ti-atively easy to manage, for
the macliil)ery h-as move(d o long  and regularly as to seem almob  to have acquired the power of spontaneous action.  The
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ambition of their wisest friends is, therefore, to reform abuses,
to remove incumbrances, to introduce new elements of efficiency)
and to adjust the enginery to modern times.
"University Reform"  is for this reason a common term in
the older countries.  But here everything is young.  We have
no moss-covered buildings poorly adapted to present use; no
perverted patrimonies entailed to perpetuate usages that have
lost their significance or are defunct; no ceremonies that have
ceased to be significant; no sinecures occupied by men who ob.
serve the letter and violate the spirit of the law; no recogni.
tion of caste, exalting the undeserving and rejecting the wortlhy; no trammels upon the conscience; nor any other relies of
the dark ages of Europe. Our difficulties are those which beset
the early days of an enterprise. We have not yet passed out
of the age of exuberant hopefulness, when rash experimenta.
tion often leads to waste of energy. Our greatest danger is
dissatisfaction with the present and an impulsive determination
to change what experience has proved to be useful and wise.
The University of Michigan is only about twenty years old.
MaDy of those far-seeing and patriotic men who projected it and
watched over its infant growth, and to whose commanding position and influence in public afairs its existence is due, are still
with us, wearing the well-won honors of a patriotic and Chris.
tian life.  Some of its earliest instructors still honor and
strengthen the Faculty by their presence and labors. These first
fiiends of the University are permitted to see, on the foundation
which their own hands have laid, a majestic fabric arise, whose
proportions I believe will yet expand into a temple, more majestic even than their imaginations ever conceived. In spite of
difficulties, and revocations of plans, and disappointments-no
greater, however, than might be expected, in so complicated
and so novel an enterprise-the University of Michigan stands
before the world to-day, a vital proof that a State University
wan prosper and be made to accomplish all that an intelligent
community can demand of such an Institution.
In reviewing the brie history of this University we find
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much to commend, and no great errors the exposure of which
is needful for our future guidance. The mistakes that have
been made are not such as would be likely to be repeated. Its
first professors were men who had been educated in the older
American colleges, who wisely adopted a course of study and
instruction which accorded with the commonly received views
of their time and country, and which American experience had
ascertained to be the best adapted to meet the necessities of out
youth.  The first Faculty of the College of Science, Literature,
and the Arts, were wise in establishing a high standard of schol arship as a requisite to graduation, which gave this University,
at the first, a fair reputation among the oldest and best colleges
of the country.  This reputation it has always maintained.
Great credit is due to those who managed the affairs of this
University during its early history, though for some reason an
impression has prevailed among those unacquainted with the
facts, that the University was not so conducted for several years
as to meet the anticipation of its founders or the proper de mands of the State.  This impression is wrong.
It is true that for a time the University was embarrassed by
local rivalries and a jealousy of centralization, and an honest
though impracticable effort to divide it into branches, which, if
it had been persisted in, would have substituted several high
schools for one strong University; yet, in spite of these jealousies and differences of opinion, and in spite of the fearful monetary revolution which swept over the State and threatened to
engutilf all the property of the University, its course firom the
first was highly honorable and successful. All honor to the
noble pioneers of this State, who, like the Pilgrims of New
England, had scarcely set foot upon the soil and erected their
humble dwellings and houses of worship, before they directed
their attention to schools and a University. And honor too to
the first Regents and ]acalty, whose plans were so wisely laid
and so carefully commenced, that all who have followed them
have largely entered into their labors and enjoyed the fruit of
their energy and sagacity. he first classes that graduated 
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~,om this University were large in proportion to the population
,of this part of the couintry-pioneers though they werc-and
they were well educated men, and have ftiinished as large a
proportion of eminently useful men as the alutnini of any American college.  In this reqpect, ai least, the Unliversity of' Michi gan has been uniformly sucesful.  The difeictlties of its early
Iistory-snueh as they were —arose mostly firom a want of money,
for it is as impossil)le for a University to be stiong and steadfast withoult an adequ.ate material foundation, as for a soul to
exist in this world withlout a body.;
For the past ten years, with the rapid increase of tle State
of M[ichig an and the siiurrounding  States, in polpulation  and
vwealth, the Univelrsity has nat ually increased.  Its Facllties
l]fve increasecd, and its workings hlave been redneuced to a systenm.
Its Pi'ofessors have becomie  widelly knownn as emiinent in their
respective professions.  Its allimiii lhave enIlarged its influence
And attractiveness.  By thle just geneiositv of  tle State the
U'niversity has been relieved firom tile pressure of an enormous
claim a.gainst it —which it would seemi, however, f,'on tl-le record,-, it had already more tlhan pai(1,-and lns tlius more thlan
dolubled its efficiency, and( has recived otlher tokens of nmaterial
aid, tlhat has inereased the pal)uiinm Cf its life.  FrIom  these
facts, for which it is indebted to tlte intelligence and enterprise of the peop)le of  Iicltigan, and to the ftliiti-fl and energetic labois of its late Piesident, the RIev. Di. II. P. Tappan,
the Universitv has been enabled to increasc its Buildingrs, to
e, large i ts Libraries, its it Iscms, its Apparatu,s, to call a
greater niumber of learned men into the Faculty of the Colle,ge
of Sceence, Literature atd the Ait,, to establislh and furnish
what may, without Ioasting, be pronounced one of the best
Medical colleges in tile United States, and to endow a  Law
School, which, tlhough olwng, already rivals the older colleges
in comeliness and.iifluenee, and to-day, for the first time, is to
l)e provided with a building adequate to its growing majesty
:ald strength.
Btut astonishing as this lis, thle University has no more than
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kept pace with the State in growtlh  an& intluence.  The people
of th)is State do not deservre the flattering compliment that they
hiave outstripped tlheir ability or duty in attention to education.
In 1845, when this University was  but four years old, an(l
already a resl)ectable college, graqluating its first class of welltrained youIng men, this State wifs to a great extent an unbrolkei  wildeliness.  Over a large part of it the wvolves still howled(.
scarcely disturbed by tle j)ioueei hunter.  Its productive w-ealtll.
tl)e restilt of labor, aside firoi the nominal value of its uninl)roved lands, w,v'ts probably not more than a thlird of wha't it is
now.  N ow rail,wavs cross its territory ana conniect  tv  eacti
other; itz streams a.i'e noisy withl thie mill and factory; its priiries arie covered witih whleat; flocks of sheep take the pIlace of
thle wolv -s; beautifuil dwellings have dlisplaced the log cottages
of the hardy l;io1eers; spi'es, pointing heavenwiard, indicate tIhe
faitli aund hope of the people, aind that g'loiious galaxy into whicht
it. star wias admitted only in 183,, beiing now threatened l)v
the mnurlky clo(uds of treason and rebellion, iIiehigan has sent
fortlh hler thirity thousand volunteers, andi stands ready to sen(i
oiit as mauy more, amnong whom are seen, a large proportion of
the graduates of the University, ready to go where the strife is
hottest, and to deal the heaviest blows for "T,iberty and U'nioii,
now anld foiever, one and inse-parable."   Bchlold what  a few
years llave accompl)isbhed!  Thel desert place has become a garden, the wvilderness blossoms as tlhe rose.   Can it be possil)le
that a Univeisity belong,ing to sucelt a peop)le will not prosper'
Is iiot its tfame linked with the State whose name it bear,s 
AWill it not
(,row with its growth and strengthen with its strength?
Universities in some form exist in all Christian countries.
They are the liighest institutions of learninig in those countries,
emi)loying the most accomplished teachers, to whom  thlose
youth resort who are the most devoted to the cultivation of the
mind.   It has been flippantl  denied that there are universities 
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in America.   So have I heard it reproachfully stated that
America has no Church, and once it was common to assert that
she had no army, and only an apology for a navy. There are
those who cannot recognize an identity of character without an
absolute identity of form.  Though our nation has no established Church, like the Greek'Church of Russia, or the National
Church of England, or of Prussia, yet it requires no extraordi nary powers of observation to perceive, beneath the indepen dent and numerous denominations of Christians in this country,
an unorganized unity of sentiment and action, accomplishing,
perhaps more efficiently, the genuine object of a Church. So
too, though our army in time of peace, and our navy, do not
rival the proportions of some inferior States, yet the experience
of the past two years has proved that Amrerica was not destitute of the nucleus of organization for defense equal to any of
their kind in the world.
The United States of America have long had institutions of
learning that might justly bear the name of universities. To
that class they clearly belong, and by the proper standard of
such institutions they claim to be judged.  They partake, by
nlecessity, of the character of the nation.  Universities everywhere are sensitive to those complicated influences which make
lup the national character, and are therefore continually changing.  In spite of the apparent immobility whlicl is supposed to(
attach to them, they and the national character are reciprocally
sensitive, and constantly act and react -ipoti each other.  Generally, with only a few extraordinary exceptions national influence
and the glory of the universities rise and fall together.  As
the nation girows in wealth and consideration the universities
increase in power, though there are instances in which abundance and luxury have lowered the standard of severe study,
and poverty and disaster have impelled the ambitious to earnest
intellectual labor, thus preparing the way, by one of the divine
methods of compensation, for national relief and triumph.  Intellectual forces and moral integrity lie at the basis of ultimate
success.  The universities of America are for the most part
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young, and are therefore inferior to some in older nations, both
in useful material and useless lumber; in the powers of time
honored usages and in the embarrassment of absurd or effete
forms; they are inferior in wealth- but superior in enterprise;
inferior in the number and experience of learned professions,
but superior in their industry and effort to benefit the students;
inferior in their power to secure the attendance of the students
for a long term of years, but siperior in their ability to crowd
into a limited time the greatest amount of information and discipline.   Many of these peculiarities are becoming modified
with the increasing maturity of the nation, but some are permanent and others will arise.
American colleges were originally modelled after the colleges
of Great Britain, inasmuch as our earliest learned men were
graduates of those colleges, and naturally attempted to reproduce those mnodes of instruction and culture with which they
were familiar.   But as our government and statute and coinmmon law, though growing out of those of Great Britain, are
peculiar, so the founders of American colleges soon found that
there were several defects and blemishes in English universities,
arising firom the state of society, which they would not reproduce if they could; and time has demonstrated that there are
other peculiarities in the universities of Great Britain which.
we could not reproduce if we would.  The recognition of caste
in society, even in the requirements of the colleges, and in the
classification of the students; the adoption of two courses of
study, the one for the studious and ambitious and the other
for the lazy and feeble who, for their rank, or morley, must be
allowed to graduate without a thorough education-indicated
by the terms "pass course"  and "class course; " the system
of hasty preparation for examination' by the aid of private
tutors; the observance of multitudinous regulations founded
on the stipulations of' ecctric benefactors; the foundation of
fellowships the hollers of which are bound to celibacy; the
direct connection of the institutions with the government of
the nation, giving them in some cases representatioan in the
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National Parliament-these and many other peculiarities conld
no more be transferred to America than its Lords and Commons, or its clouds and skies.
On the other hand the universities of America have found
that they must conform themselves to the demands of the people, and therefore greatly niodify.and improve old courses of
ttidy, establish new  methods of discipline and of the division
of labor, new penialties aiid rewards  and new  customs, thus
acquiring, as all vital tliings lhave, a chllaracter of tlheir own.
Every nation must have its own  peculiar institutions.   All
imitations are necessarily weaker than their models, while vital
growtlhs alone are stron g.
I shall enter into no labored comparison of the merits of
American colleges with those of other landls, only hlere observing, tlhat, in vigor of growth, in nobility of purpose, in the
advancement of science, in thle careful attention to the moral
good of their pupils, and in a healthful result uponI the civilization and welfare of the people, Ameiicnn universities have not
been surp)assed by any in the world clduiing thle past half century.  Areeric a1n colleges have prinei)pally educlated our prIofesional nmen andcl statesmen; they have been the bi,tth-pla,ces of
great imoral enterprises that are shedding tlhc liglht of scier,ne
and religion uipon this and  otlhei  lands, and of thoughlts eml)odied( in books whose potency no matihematics can measure
and no finite mind comprellellnd.
The higllest institutions of learniing in this country have been
mostly of two classes, whichl for convenience I shall denominate
Church  colleges and State colleges.  A Church college is one
which is recognized as l)elonging to a particular denomination
of Clhristianis, with which principally or entiuely its Trustees
and i'aculty are connected.  The oldest of the Amrerican  colleges were mostly of this class.   Among  them  may be  mentioned Harvard College, Unitarian, though of late the State of
3Iassachusetts, on accoutnt of having rendered it great pecuniary aid, has assumed a oo-ardinate superintendance of its managemnent; Yale College,Trinitarian Congre,gational; Princeton
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College, Presbyterian; Brown University, Baptist; Columbia
College, Protestant Episcopal; and the WVesleyan Univorsity,
M[ethodist Episcop31.  These I mention merelv as well known
Fpecimens of Church umiversities.  Ill al of them and in others
of tlis class, the course of stiudy is asnrigid and tihorough as young
nien of fair intellectual ability and apl)lication, can complete in
foui' years, after a prescribed  course of preparatory study
pursued elsewlieie, while some of thiemi have also professional
schiools of Law, miedicine, and Thleology, and some of them
have also, of late, offered thlle use of books, lectiures, apparatus
and instruction,  )ly which investi.gation into some departments
of science can be puiistied fiitither than in the course of study
prescribed in the inndeirgra(inate collrege and in thle professional
colleges.  The,great induicemenlts to yoli,ngr men to enter at
once into active life in tlhis country, h-ave, as yet, prevented a
very exteiisive call for  niliversity  instruction  in  advanced
studies and topics remote fron general practice, but as the call
increases ouri o?ldest and abl)lest ulniversities are pepaing to
respond.  Conirses of Uniiiveisity Lectiures are nl,reaoly provided
for in Hlarvarld Ujniversity and- in Yale U,iiversity, and inust be
provided in a few of tlhe largest universities in different parts of
the country.
Clturelh univeriesities have some peculiar advant.ag,es.  There
i, a compnct and vigoirons aoenev responsible for their cliarac
ter.  TI'ley alppeal to a clearly recognized part of the cornmmunity for patronrae and stuppoit.  The denominations to which
they belong watch over their interests, and usually harmonioy is
easily mnilntained among the trustees and faculties.  It would
impug,n history to deny that colleges of this chl)aracter have accomplished and are still accompl)lishling incalculable good.  But
it is evident that there are some disadvantages inseparably connected with Chuirchi universities.  An institution belonging to
a particular denomnination cannot possibly be so liberal and impartial as one re.sticng upon the broad basis of the state.  No efforts at impartiality, can possibly prevent, at least, an indirect
preference of the party or section which it principally depends
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for character an(I support. This peculiarity is much stronger in
some Church Colleges than in others-in some being scarcely
noticeable, in others so marked as to be decidedly disagreeable
to all except those who sympathize with the views and usages
of the denomination owning she institution.
The second class of the highest institutions of learning, which
are denominated State Universities, are of later growth, being
naturally the last institutions established, or receiving any good
degree of completion, as a part of the great American system of
education.   Whatever  may  have  been  the fact elsewhere,
in this country theprimary public schools, designed directly for
all the children, received, properly, the first attention of the
States, and systems of public education were devised and put
into operation and largely developed, before the attention of the
community was called, through their legislative bodies, to the
importance of colleges or universities, as an inseparable part of
a public system of education.  Therefore, leading minds, of enter)rise and philanthropy, were compelled to establish the first
colleges without much public assistance. Thle legislatures would
indeed incorporate their trustees, and, in a few instances, grant
them pecuniary aicl, but it was long before the people came to
perceive and feel the necessity of completing their system of
public education, by establishing normal schools and universities.  In some instances the States, having aided the Church
colleges, demanded some control in their government, and thus it
has come to pass that several of the older Church colleges are
perceptibly changing their character into State universities, and
it is not improbable that many of them will yet be placed solely
under the government of the representatives of all the people.
There are also a few institutions called State universities, whi(;h
were originally largely the product of individual benevolence,
and are controlled b trustees so far removed firom the influence of the people that they cannot be regarded as fair specimens of that kind of universities, which are properly called
State universities, and which form a natural and necessary part
of the American system of public education, whea it is complete.
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The University of Michigan is the oldest, largest, and most
Nlourishing of the class of institutions that may rightly be regard
ed as State universities  Founded by a grant of land made by
the United States, aided by grants made by the State of Mich igali, recognized in the Constitution of the State, and governed,
according to its provisions, by a Board of Regents, elected from
time to time by the people, it is purely a STATE UNIVERSITY, en.
tirely free from sectarian or sectional control or bias. It should
therefore aim to become a model of its class. Its influence is
not confined to itself, great as that influence may be.  Its growth,
members and power will undoubtedly cause it to be regarded
either as an example or a warning to the younger States of the
Union, and, in the course of time, even to the oldest States, as
they successively may establish universities of this kind,
It cannot be denied that such an institution is exposed to pe.
culiar difficulties and dangers. It may be well to examine them
that we may be prepared if possible to surmount them.  Allow
ine to suggest the two greatest, interrogatively.
Is it necessary that State universities should be irreligious?
Is it a fatal necessity, growing out of their very constitution,
that they should neglect the doctrines and the practices of
Christianity, and by consequence have no foundation for morality? Must they be the fountains of intemperance and vice, and
must the education they furnish be secular and atheistic? That
this is the charge of their enemies, and the serious apprehension
of some of their friends cannot be denied.  But this charge, it
should be observed, is not confined to State universities, but ap
plies with equal force to all schools of every grade that are sup
ported and controlled by our American States. It seems to be
the conviction of some persons, mostly those who were educated
in the older nations which have national churches, that a Re.
public, like the United States, without an established church,
and granting equal protection to all religions, must be infidel,
and specially do they believe, that educational institutions sue
tained by such a government, and on so liberal a foundation,
must be irreligious, if not atheitic  Even some men in our own 
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country, of feebler minds, or who simply echo the sentimnents of
their foreign theorists, with whom they have a fancie     seivile connection, have repeated the same apprehlensions.
The fact however is that, practically, Amierican schools, supported by the government,.are more truly religious than the
average character of the pe6p-le they are designed to accommodate.  It is worthy of notice that the most devout and truly
religious portion of educated men are the most likely to be interested in educational matters.  By sympathy they are attracted to the profession of the teacher, in which the consciousness of
usefulness is a greater rewvard than the sudclden fortunes and gratifications of ambition, promuised in other departments of indus
try.
The people too, well taught in tlheir respective rieligious or gavizations, expect and deniand tlhat their l)nl)lic selools slhoutld
recognize the Bible as the foundation of imorality, and should iln culcate in the mindsis of the youngl the great principles of Christ ian faith and practice.  Therefoie, in tlhis country, our public
schools, our normal schools, and  all selcools of any igrade, supported by public funds or taxation, have taugtilt nmorality and
religion as purely and efliciently as any denoniinational schools
whatever.
Now what has been found true in this country with regard to
the primary schools, the hig,helr public schllools, and thle normal
schools, may and should be also true of tlhe State universities.
The average relig,iots character of the people o,ught to be such,
and I believe it is such, that they will and do deinai.id, by a docisive majority, that the instruction giveu in their unive'rsities
shall be permeated with geinuine religious trutll and piactice.
It would shock and disgust the people to learn that in their unlliversities science was divorced firom religion, or thtat the professors formed so strangre an exception amiong the linei devoted to
teaching, as not to give proper prominence to the theoretical
and l)ractical principles of our common Chlristianity.  Thus first,
merely as an effect and not as a cause, State uliversities, ia
&ates where thepeople Ire religious, must reflect the charactr
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of the people. But they will in the second place, also rise above
the average popular character, in morality and religion, from
the natural tendency of religious men to the profession of teaching, and also from the fact, never to be forgotten in the consideration of democratic institutionsa that the judgments of the
people are always stuperior to their practice, so that even men
who in their private character disregard the requirements of
true piety demand it in those public institutions for which with
others they are equally responsible. There is a sense in which
the old maxim, vox p()p~t,l vox Dei expresses a profound truth..
I maintain, therefore, that a State University in this country
mhould ba religious.  It should be Christian, without being
Lectarian.   The  great and common  principles of morality,
received by all Christians, should be sedulously taughlt and
scrupulously regarded, not Imerely as conventional rules but as
principles of divine truth.  The true basis of them, which is
God's own worid, should be recog'nizel and hlonoied.  Those
imple and central common practices of the worship of God
and Christ, in which  all can engage, should  be  iregularly
observed.  The lloly Scriptures should be read and explained,
psalms and hymlns of praise should be sung, and all who resort
to the University for instruction  shlould  be  encouraged to
adhere faithfutlly to the usages of that branch of tlhe Clhurchl of'
Christ with whichl they may be connected.   Especially shlould
the bonds of union between science and revelation be shown.
The professors should be men capable of perceiving and illustrating the evidences of the divine origili of Christianity, in
languac-e, imathematics, the laws of material things, and of
vegetable and animal life; in histo,y and art, and in the mind
of man.   The errors of the irreli,gi-ous, ancient and modern,
with their )ernicious conse(quences, should be fearlessly exposed.
Especially should American youth be taughlt that  the  perpetuity of our fiecedoi- depends entirely upon the initegrity and
genuine Clhristianity of the people.   Those questions upon
which denominations differ-howNrever vital they mnay appear —
should be lef't to their acknovledged teachers out of the Unit 
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versity, or be so respectfully and impartially stated as not to
offend the conscience of any sincere believer.
I earnestly invoke, therefore, in behalf of the religious charactor of this University, the sympathy and hearty co-operation
of all Christians of all denoninations in the State. I assure
them that the University shall co-operate with them, in teaching and enforcing and illustrating Christian faith and practice;
and I trust that there shall go out from its halls many hundreds
of men, who, as ministers of the Gospel, lawyers and physicians
and teachers, and as faithful workmen in all the industrial pur suits of life, shall, together with many of this character already
amopg the alumni of this University, enforce and exhibit sound
morality and genuine Christian culture.  Let it be the object
of the Faculty to show that the grand theory of American
education'has no fatal defect; that, on the voluntary system,
Christianity may flourish and be re!pected, and may comfort
and sustain and adorn those who embrace it, not by compulsion,
but as the choicest gift of Heaven to minan, through him who
assures us that his kingdom is not of this world. The professors in this University must not and will not consent to be
deprived of the glorious satisfaction of being co-workers with
Christ, in the divinely appointed enterprise of evangelizing the
world.   No earthly reward could tempt them to such a compact with evil.  Were their salaries to be multiplied a hundred
fold, so as, instead of affording them, as now, merely a comfortable support, to give them each an independent fortune,
they would not be bribed to dissociate themselves fiom the
greatest leaders in science and culture in this and every land,
who are striving to elucidate the will of God and to benefit
their fellow men.
Another objection to State universities is suggested in the
inquiry, Miust they necessarily be political institutions? In free
countries like ours the word political has acquired a limited and
unworthy signification,-similar to the word sectional or partisan.
From some profound law of human nature it is found that in all
free countries there alwts are two parties, nearly balanced,
Aw
9 
and fi e-qiently exchanging with each other the responsibility of
holding thle reins of the government.  I cannot here pause to
investigate whethl)er the existence of these two parties arises
from a natural contest between the conservative and the pro  giessive elements of society, or fi.om a natural desire for the
honors and rewards of political power, or firom the divine inten  tion of a constant exchange of responsibility in government, as
regular as the circulation of the blood in the living body or the
great tidal waves in the ocean and air, essential to purification
and life.  Whatever the causes, actual or final, such parties
always have existed in popular governments, and  may be
presumed to be an inseparable adjunct of freedom.  But the
vital question with us, in this connection, is, Must the State
institutions of education, on this account, in free countries, be
vascillating and fluctuating?  Must they be continually chang ing their policy and character? Must their Faculties be ex posed to the danger of sudden removal with the frequent trans fers of political power from party to party?  Must schools
become a part of the spoils of office?  This has been a serious
apprehension of theorists, and it must be confessed too, that
some facts have arisen showing that the apprehension is not
altogether fanciful and theoretical.
We mnay arrive at the true solution of this inquiry by observimg that the American States have established and are maturing
a system of education, beginning with the primary school and
ending with the University. All the parts are alike essential to
this system. Each part must prosper to make the other parts
prospeir. If the primary schools are vigorous and healthy, the
Uuiversity will naturally be strong, but if' the University suffers
the primary schools will suffer.
From all this wondrous chain whatever link you strike,
Tenth or ten thousandth breaks the chain alike.
o
Now is it the will of the American people, or is it a fearful
necessity of popular governments, that their educational institutions should be complicated with the fluctuations of political
2
17
I 
18
parties?  I answer decidedly, No.   Facts also answer, No.
These schools, like the mountains and plains and oceans and
rivers, are to be permanent, while the superficial atmospherical
phenomena of political partizanship play around them.  These
are too essential, too sacred,:to bh  constantly changing.  By
common consent these are to be cherished whatever transitions
in other matters may be allowed.  The American people are
sufficiently enlightened and impressed withi the intrinsic Value
of these institutions, to maintain and show to the world that no
changes in opinions or in office holders shall b3 allowed to interfere with the primal interests of public welfare, represented inll
their public schools, firom those in which the alphla.)et is taught,
to that in whichl the last resuilts of lhuiman itnvestigration are
made known.  The primary schools, the )ipublic.cad(ecmies, the
normal schools, and the universities, are enitirely lremoved fiomn
the manipulations of party politics.  It is only ill young States,
not yet skilled ili self control, or disciplined by bitter expelienee, that the goverinment of the university is sensitive to popular political excitements.  It is an indication of iimmaturity,
and of a want of the  highest civilization, to carlry party politics
into educational matters; and it is a serious reproachi to any
State that ever the preferences of any political party shlould Lo
seriously insisted upon in the choice of an officer to superintend
general educational matters, or to hold a position as an instructor in any public school.  No  man is competent for such
an office who does not, at least in all his official duties, rise
above subserviency to party control or preference.
This theory is already verified in the practice of our most
enlightened States.  It is true of Michigan.  I aver that the
example of Michigan shows that a. State University is not nec.
essarily involved in partisan politics. I am not aware that any
such influence has ben felt in its government for many years.
It may indeed be questioned whether it was ever felt, certainly
not since it received from the peorl4e its present admirable system of goaernment.  Itshould be one of our objects to show
to the youngQ  St,tes and to all the world, that a greet univer
Aft 
sity can be established and maintained and' continnect in action'
as regular as the laws of nature, without any sensitiveness whlat  ever to those revolutions in public opinion on political matters;
wlhich give rise to changes in the administrat'oai of the govern  mel.t of State or Nation.
Btit whlile the university rises serenely and supremely above(
pai'tisan tturmoil, I desire plaiiily to announce, that in my opii  ion the University of Mlichigian should have a decidl.d i)olitic:.l
clharacter.  If it be a fault, nevertheless I acknowledge it.is:a
logicil and moral necessity, -'owiig outt of its orlgin and fill  (liamiental character.  The Ulliversity of Miclig:l  is lirtly tile
gift of th-e United States of Atneric.a to the people of this Stat,
aild paitly the result of the enterprise of this State itself.  For
its ellndowment alnd st pport it is coordinaitely ilndebted to tfle
Nationii aind to the State whose name it bears.  It owes allegi ance  thlerefore both to Nation and State. The life-blood tlh:t
flows  itrouIgh its veilis comes from evecrv State iii the Tjnic,tll.
Its sttidelits come firoin many States. It is the product of Amen ica!- eitcrpiise and Aizericean thought.  It is one of the ex[o ents otf the filet that the Uniited States of Aimerica plize souztl
learinrig and thoro,gh culture.  Its liitory forms a strikilng,
clh.&leter in the history of thle Natiota, showing tehat this wl~lIe
I,eople prize civilizationl, science, literature, thoug;,ht.  The UlTiAversittv therefore owes allegiance, fidelity, and the best support
it can give to tile whlole urjndivided nation.  It would be unworthy and disgiaceffl for the University to teactl or countenanc(,
or tolerate within its precincts, the presence of treason. It,
must therefore be political, in the hig-hest and' best sense.  It i.
Am'erican.  It is democratic, not aristocratic.  It is republicansx,
not monarchical. It holds to the I)Iincilles which Halnmiltoni promulgated and which W'asliington maintained on the field anl ill
tlie Presidential chair. ItsJi'of;essois must, and always lii,
aid always can, show from nature and history and science, that
thle Almighty Ruler is in favor of theose sublime and benign principles that finally blossom anc ripen in self-government and aii
enjoyment of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of h.a:l i
1'9 
20
ness.  And;ihen an emergency arises, be it from foreign des )ots or rebels at home, it should be found that the great body
of its alumni will be ready, as now, to dlevote their fortunes,
hlonors and lives to the Nation that has giveen them their educa tion and p)ower.  Thank God-that the University of I%iichig,an
iias always been political in this noble sense.
A university in order to attain the mnaximum usefulness must
lave some riimal elements of success, which it may be profita
l,le to notice.  The first of these, and most essential, is money.
Nothilg else can supply thb  place of material strength.  If tile
love of inoney is a root of all evil, money itself is a root of all
,ood.  Carefuil observation wNill show that the want of propelrty
is the greatest hindrance to the full development of a university
in a inew country.  There is not a university in the Ulnited
States of America that (has yet esealped the constant g:llitig
1)ressure of poverty.  Our oldest and best endowed colleges of
tlhe Eastern States, which have received, fobr moire than a cellnturyt, donations fiom individuals and aid fiom  the State, fin]l
themse lves constantly prevented fi'om- accomiplishingi thleiri owll
conepI)tions of what science and the best interests of the coinnunity demand, by the want of money.  Our most eminent scientific mnen are often seen spending a large part of their time
in earnestly soliciting donations to the literary and scientific
schools with whichl they are connected.  Some of tliem deprive
themselves of niearly all the luxuries of lifb that they may I)rosecute their investigations and diffuse infbrmation.  Science lj.,s
ts mnartyrs as certainly as reli.gion.
A  university needs money to procure suitable lands, buil(dngs, libraries and apparatus, and to support competent instructor1s.  5Iuch of the material employed is perishable and needs
firequent renewal.   Often special investigations are desirable,
requiring large sums of oneyv the ireturns for which are not to
be expected in ross substance that can be  measured and
weighed, but in the settlement or explosion of a theory, the
suggestion of a new hypothesis, demanding in its turn to be
tested, or in some enlargement of the area of correct thought. 
21
In these experiments many failures are to be expected, but the
expenditure of time and money is not therefore lost. Superfi cial and narrow observers often complain of such an expendi ture of material, and seem to think that the money employed to
promote science and the highest e]ucation is wasted.  They are
not aware of the inconsiderableness of the amount of money
thus expended, when compared withl that employed for otller
objects, nor of the value of the profit received.  They ]lave not
observed, perhaps, that the cost of building and equipping
one ship of war would endow a university as liberally as the
University of Michig(,n, and the expense of keeping  a ship
of war in repair and in active duty would more  than  sup ply all the demands of such a university after its endowment.
The cost in money, of a single battle, would more than double
the permanent resources of this University.  The  amnount of
money expended in this country on a single fourth of July, in
the explosion of gunpowder and other filmiiiants for noise alone,
would give the Nation several valuable institutions of learning
I adduce these facts not to express disapproval of ships of war,
or battles, or even of the explosion of powder for noise.  M1an
liveth not by bread alone. Man needs more than food and raiment.  It is one of the shallowest conceits of feeble minds that
whatever does not produce glross lproperty is useless.  WVe nee(d
civil law and a sound government, and if these carTm.ot be secured without ships of war and cannon, an(d the paid labor of
strong and educated minds and of stro(ng and trained blodies, let
the requisite demand be met, though it cost a hundred fold
more than now.  So too man needs amiu-sement, the pleasures of
social life, and the cultivation of the heart and mind, and thouglh
these should cost a thoiusand fold more of labor and money than
now, the expenditure would be wisely made.  Universities are
on.e of the essentials of civization.  They are not excirescences.
or superfluities, but an inseparable element of a civilized Natiol,.
No nation, state, or city yet, has ever been extravagant il.
their support. The maximim of good to be obtained fi'on,,
tlheia has never been reached, and till that point is attained  a.L
I 
22
'ncrcase of expenlditure upon them, if wisely directed, is good
ecconotmy, and all withbolding of money from them is wasteful
.nd imnpoverishing.
LIooking at society as it is, with only its present degree of en.lightenment, at the enoinrmous tasks set before the people in this
new world of America, and at the abundance of demagogues
wN-ho are seeking power by fomnenting the piejudices of the people, and by stimulating a jealousy of educated men, it is a mat~ter to awaken profound gratitude to Almighty God, and to
increase confidence in tlhe competency of the people to secure
;tlhcir own best interests, tllat so much  has been done in this
country for the promotion of education.  From  this poinit of
yiew the prospect is briglit and encouraging.  But  when we
conllsider tl)at much of the educational property in this country
has airisen firomn th-e sale of wild lands, and firom  contributions
iiade mernely for pecuniary speculation, and also in many cases
tlirough the enterprise of a few leading and.oble individuals
to wlhich the great mass of thle communtity simply assented or
did not opeinly disapprove, but sliowed no hearty co-operation
in these enterprises, the matter assumes a less favorable aspect.
And when we reflect that the resources from wild land in this
countr'v must soon cease, and that the income firom invested
fiiids will gradually dclepreciate, aiid that whatever material increnmeuts to our educational power is lhereafter.made  must
sooner or later come firom the direct and voluntary devotions of
tie people; it is evidently seen to be the duty of every enlightCcued( man to impress upoil all otlher miulds, so far as lie can, tho
fact that educational institutions, from the primary school to
the university, are an essential elemenit of civilization, and need
still more of the people's power andcl suppor't.
The University of  Iiclligan has a strong and broad founda.
toii.  It cannot compnlin of the past.  But it is yet, like the
State wIhose nan, s it bears, young. It would be a reproach to
tllhe State should it now cease to grow in strength and wealth.
T'hie State itself will findfiequent opportunities, without ian ap,r.eciable icrease of its burdens, to add to the resources of the
I 
23
UIniversity. Benevolent individuals in this State, will yet emulate the libeiml and patriotic men and  women  of the older
States, and leave to the University funds for the endowment of
new 4,-)iofessorships, or for the enlargement of its resources and
usefullness.  This elenient of pover, I tirust, i'tl)e day of need,
will not loig be wanting.  Thanktifil  fov the past we will tru.st
God for tlhe filtire, wlhile we sti-ive to i'ender the University,
fiom its effiiency and high moral and scientific chai'.acter, wolthy -of the liberal suppi)ort of al)le and benevolent individuals in
the commtniiitv, and of the State.
I doubt not tlle time will come when this TUniiversity sihall be
honored withl many benefactions, and shall become a monument
of individual entei-piise, as well as of p)ublic piatriotismI and wisdom.
Another element of suIccess in a Univeisity is a competent
and( eflicient Goveirinment.  The body of mien iwho stand behind
thle FaLnlty, and hold the springs of the institution, can, if
weakl, or' l)artisan, or malicious, i-uin the iuniversity, ancl must' il
all cases be iiitellig,ent, comIpetent and honest, to give to it a
lproper clharactelr.  In some universities tllis p)ower is a IBoard(
ot'of Ti'istees elected for life and almost indepeudent of all infliences bnt public ol)'iiion. In some ini.tances, ii othler countries,
the diuectiig power is tlhe Goveiinmeiieit of the State and entirely
iiidepeiident of the people. Wisely, in tlhis Univeisity  tlle
l)oard of Rlegents is elected by the peoplle of the State, eachl
Regent for eiglt years,s. and hereafter two  eveiy two years, so
as to securie a co)i-staiit and regular renewal of tlhe Board, without abrupt chaues, wvlich are likely to be attended with great
disasters.  No genuilie Aimerican should regret that the people
of the State tius directly control the University.  This is the
ttue republican idea.  It harmonizes wlithll our institutions.  All
exl)erience tends to p)ro~v that in such a way an enlightened
and honest Board Qf Re(rgents will be obtained.  The people
will naturally select for such an office men who  have exhibited
an interest in educational matters, and who from habits of
t4oghlit and experience are competent to the management of s, 
24
important an enterprise. At the same time if an abuse, real or
fancied, arises, the public will not be slow to elect men who will
remove the evil.  A  university thus governed will never be
allowed to become  a fountain of error or immorality, but
will cxecute the purpose of the people.  Whatever therefore
tends to benefit the entire community will benefit the Unixversity.
At the same time through such a government healthy reforms,
may be easily accomplished. The newv and special demands of
the present times will not be disregarded, and the University
will therefore not be a slavish imitation of some distant models
nor an unchanging relic of the past, but will be kept constantly
in vital sympathy with the present demands of the communnLity.
The people of this State have reason to be gratefiul that the
RIegents wvhom they have elected have faithfuilly replresented
the State in a profound regard for a thorough and practical edlucation, for pure morality and genuinte religion, and that they
have managed the University with suchl successful economy in
its financial interests, and with such fidelity in all the grave
trusts reposed in them.
Another most essential element of success to a university is
an able Faeulty. Without competent instructors all other ma.tcrial is usel,ess; with tlhein, by ingenuity, genius and skill, the
lack of other nmaterial ear be to a great extent oveircome.  A
Newton with an ordinary spy-glass will accoml)lishl nmore than
an indolent or inefficient man with the best telescope ever constlructed.   Nothing can be substituted for intellect, discipline
and culture, wlhich will be manifested iii, a ready comman d of
material and in a commanding influence over yotung and studious mninds.  The choicest men in their respective departments
should be employed as professors in a university.  Those only
who have the requisite mental power, and who exhibit an aptitude for their peculiarwoi-k should be honored with such a
post. The character and efficiency of the university come from
them. The silent and passionless printed page can never take
the place of the flashing ee add the living voice.. The first an,t
I 
25
most efficient medium of conveying thought ad  emotion,from
mind to mind is by the exercise of speech, and therefore the
office of a professor can never become obsolete.
The power of a university will bear an exact ratio to the
number of competent men  it can employ in its Faculties.  As
an institution increases in wealth And strength the division of
labor which it will secure by the multiplication of departments,
or increased subdivisions made in the boundless area of human
knowledge and investigation, will enable it to accomplish more
and more successfully the fundamental object of a university.
Itere, however, in our American universities a great practical
difficulty arises.  The traditions and usages of our colleges are
in-favor of certain courses of study, limited in time, and there —
fore limited in their range of investigation.  The undergradu ate course, so called, taking young men at that degree of ad vancement in the classics and in science which they easily reach
in our union schools and academies, has been limited to four
years, at the expiration of which the students, if they have
average capacity and have maintained proper diligence, are
accounted worthy of graduation as bachelors of arts. IHere the
college life of many of the students has been accustomed to
end. Professional colleges for those who wish to study mnedicine, law and theology. have been respectively connected with
our ablest universities, in which also courses of study limited to
two or three years have been established, at the expiration of
which the students, if successful, graduate as physicians, lawyers, or clergymen.  But it has been found that outside of the
branches of study pursued in these respective departments or
colleges, there are other subjects of investigation in which many
are interested, and for the prosecution of which the university
should flurnish adequate material and personal aid. This demand has been met more promptly and efficiently in American
universities than in the Engish universities, and yet much remnains to be done. To supply this demand various means have
been suggested, and to some extent tried. It has been proposed to force into the four ytars' course of study for umder 
26
graduates a-greater variety of subjects, and to bring the students
under the tutelage of a greater number of professors. A fatal
objection to this course is the inevitable consequence that what
is gained in surface is lost in depth. So simple a problem ought
not to puzzle any mind.  Onhofactor in the problem-the term
of foulr years-is limited; the' capacity of the youthftil mind to
obtain information and discipline is also limited, and to expect
any perceptible increase of result, when these factors are em ployed, must be fallacious.  Whenever this has been tried,
therefore, it has practically failed. Othlers have suggested that
with the improvements of the times the undergraduate course
of study should be amended by thie rejection of certain branches
which are said to be obsolete and unnecessary, and by the substitutfion of others more imimediately and universally useful.
This objection generally takes the foirn of undervaluing the
Latin and Greek lang,agTes, and of some  departments of tho
pure mathematics, and recommends the substitution of modern
languages and the study of nature.  This proposed method of
relief is undoubtedly illusory and radically vwron,, based as it is
on a fatal wan't of comprehension of the real object and absolite advantag,e of a thoroullh training in Latin and Greek and
the mathematics.  This object is not so much practical information as practical strength; and with due respect to the opinions
of a very small numbier of genuine scholars who may think otherwise, there is no doubt in the minds of the al)lest and best
scholars, that no course of study can be devised so well fitted
to securie a thorough and harmonious development of the whole
mind and heart, and to serve as the basis of the most thorough
scholarship, as the curriculum of study which is pursueid in the
classical course of our colleges, and in all institutions through   -
out the civilized world, in which the foundations of what is
called a liberal c.tucation are laid.  To lay aside or to interfleto
with this course,oexcept to perfect it, would be suicidal of the
best interests of the university.
The end proposed, therefore, cannot be obtained by  the
omission of any branch. 
It has been proposed by others to extend the undergradliLte
course of study from fonr to five years or more, thus giving op^
portunity for the multiplication of topics. To this there is the
strong objection that it wouqd make our undergradutate course
different fiom that of other institutions in the same country,
while vet it would bear the same name.  It would not secure
the attendlance of anv more students in advanced s,tudies and
would simnply lessen the number that would graduate.  The
true qutlestion at issue is, not when a student shall graduate, but
how shall hle be aided to stludy all that appears desirable?
There is l)ut one proper or practical wvay to meet the difficulty.  As far as mXay be, let extra courses of study be provided
for.  WIhenever a sufficient numbibe of students aplply for a uniform course of instruction, differing firom those primarily established, let a, dep.artment be created and recognized, and let the
system of classification, as far as possible, be combined with the
gratification of individual preferences.  This is alre,ady largely
done in the University of Micliian.  The Scientific Department
is a full f)our years' course of rigid study, omitting the ancient
langtuagces and substituting Gelrnman and French pnd a thorough
study of our own lancguage.  Let those vwho prefer this course
enjoy the advantag,es of the UTniversity to tle largest extent
whichi thley desire.  The classes in An,alytica,l Cheliistiy and in
Civil En(,ineering have also oppor1tunities to l)ress thleir investigations inuder compl)etent professors, and with abundant material as far as tley may desire.
Prov'sion is also made for those who wNish to investigate any
other delpartment, by the aploinitment of competent professor8
who stand ready to rend(ler all needed aid.
I would respectftilly suggiest that a demand for the advantages of the higitlest university instruction, aside firom and in 3dvance of oir regullar courI  of study, must be encouraged by
-the university itself,before it will assume any great magnitude
or intensity.  The taste even for a colleg(e education is not altogether a natural instinct, but is encouraged in the community
hy the great body of college graduates, and by the evident re
21 
28
wards that follow its faithful accomplishment  By the same
principle the valuable discipline and information that the uni   versity stands ready to impart, above that which has been cus   tomarily crowded, in American collegres, into the undergraduate
course and the ordinary course* of professional study, must be ad   vertised by the university. Universities must accommodate them  selvesto the spirit of thie age, and advertise their powers. Tho
facts must be kept before the public; and those who would
qualifythemselves for professorships and the higher walks of
science, should be informed that in the University of Michigan,
ample facilities for such an object are supplied. However few
persons may apply for the advantages, they should be accom  modated, it being constantly borne in mind that the higher the
education furnished in any institution, the smaller will be the
number of those seeking it. Our very highest classes will per  haps always be small in number. In this way our American sys  tem of education may be developed into a beauty and efficien cy unrivaled, and become as clearly superior in its highest as it
already is in its elementary departments.
There is no good reason why those departments of education
principally attended to in what are called theolog,cal schools,
should be systematically neglected in a State university.  Such
a neglect betrays either a wrong conception of education or a
fear of opposition, calculated rather to awaken the contempt of
the people, than their approval.  The first organic law of the
Territory of MIich;gan for the establishment of a university,
contemplated givingi due attention to such studies.  The first
report of the first Superintendent of Public Instrutction eloquent
ly and logically showed its necessity. The late Piresident of the
university, in his excellent Inaugural Address, delivered here
nearly eleven years ago, said:
" Ouri institution being a State institution, and therefore coInnected with no particullar denomination, cannot establish a The,
ological School on the University fund. But it is to be hope(l
that the different denominations will establish professorships im
the different branches of theological science ia this town.  Ii
I
I 
29
;some of these -ranches they might unite, in others they would
-choose to establish separate professorshps."
This is certainly a valuable thought; but vwhlat is to hinder
the immediate establishment of a professorshlip of the Hebrew
language and the cognate languages, and their literature? Is
there fear of offending any persori whose opinion is entitled to
any consideration, in the careful study of one of the primal lan,guages of human speech, in which poets sung and orators spoke,
when Greece herself was barbarous, and the seven-hilled city
was an unbroken wild?  If not for the sacredness of its revelations, still, for its antiquity, and for its essential value in philological investigation, it should not be neglected in a university.
And what mind is so squeamish about offending prejudice or conceit as to pronounce it impossible properly to consider, in a State
university, the thoughts, beliefs, and revolutions ofopinion and action that constitute the basis of what is properly termed ecclesiastical history? The very foundation and frame-work of every
modern nation in Europe and America have been shaped by
ecclesiastical thought and action, and now to turn away from it
or to neglect it, or not to give it proper attention and study,
betrays a timidity that might well awaken the contempt of
the truly intellectual and liberal. With the two professorships
of the Hebrew Language and Ecclesiastical History, any denomination of Christians might easily, and with little expense, furiiish the small additional instruction which, outside of the university provisions, they might deem necessary for those whom
they intend to recognize as worthy to be teachers of the people
in morality and religion. Thus the university of MIichigan
would fill a chasm which some have supposed inseparable from
ian institution founded by an American State.  Thus we should
be prepared to show that in no particular is it compelled to fall
behind the best and most Complete universities of this or other
lands. 
I trust that this suggcrestion will awaken the attention of those
who most appreciate the essential value of religion as the central element of true culture. *What is essential in the individual 
30
is essential in a perfect institutionl, and its elements and pr;nc,
pies should be properly pursued.
Another requisite for the success of a university is a proper
sytipathy with it and demand for it in the community tfrom
ulwhich it receives its support. By this I do not refer to the peo  ple in the town or city wherd it happl-)ens to be, who are liable
to be deceived abouit what they cannot understand, and who
have no  nmore to do  with tile  ililiversity, on account of its
being neat to them, thiain the university has to do with thleir fac
tories, or shops, o. farms, or gardens; but I refier to the peo)le of
the whole State, in their constitutional relations to tile uiiiversitv.
WVithout their approval their university cannot flilly accomplish
its work.  They must be taught to fel its lnecessity and value.
To supply thlis demand, I appeal to the aliumrni, who have ex perienceld its advantages  and(  know its value.   I appeal to
those vwho lhave been heretofore lioiiored to preside over its in terests as Regents, and vlwho have directed its great and( benefi cent influences.  I appeal to tlhe teachers of our puLblic schools,
remindiing them of wmhat they already appreciate, that all tihe
public schools of the State form one system, and that the seoind(i
prosperity of a part is only to be secured by the prost)erity of
every other part.  Especially do I appeal to the priicipals
and  teachers of our  higher classes  in the union  schools,
who are presumed, firom their position, to be men.of ctlture
and liberal thougrht.  I ask tlIen) to keep before the minces of
their pupils that those whose taste or genius inclines thieni to
it, have an opportnLity freely furnished to them by the State t(o
prosecute their inquilries into science and thourght still farther,
in the university, with all tile facilities that the most ambitious
could desire.  I ask them constantly to orga[ize and preservoe
classes of pupils in preparation for the university.  Thlis is clearlya part of their duty, as it is ours to do all that we can to
maintain the honor andfefliciency of all the public schools ia.
the State.
Let the vulgar prejudice agatnst knowledge be discountenanced
and banished forever fiom~an intelligent and free people.   Let
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Beence continue to anlock her resource and revea' them to our
gaze. Let the people continue,> heretofore, through the aid;
of science, to rise in the scale of being and in comfort, till one
by one the curses of ignorance, poverty, and feebleness are removed. Let the great forces of nature be made our obedient
servants; let the experience of past ages wvarn us against evil
and show us good; and let those engaged in the discipline and
instruction of the mind, together with those employed in the,
spread of the Gospel of Christ, succeed in making this earth, g80
far as we can, an ante-chamber of Iteaveyn, a Paradise of God.
Such, gentlemen, is my ambition.  Suchl, I doubt not, is the
purpose of all associated with me, and together responsible with
me, in the manag(ement of this uniiivcrsity. The hopes of its
founders shall not perish.  As its walls crumble they shall be
replaced by ethers. -Its penrannency shall be that of the soul,
incorruptible and eternal.  It sliall be the perpetual fountain
of sound scholarship, genuine morality, true christianity.   It
8hall be a gloe y and a bulwark of thie State whose honored name
it bears.  That this may be thle fact, may the approval and
blessing of the Father of lights, firom wh;om cometh down every
good gift and every perfect gift, be upon it, not for any worth
of our own, but fiomn his soverei,gn mercy and for the gloiry of his
name.
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