The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-06-02
ADDRESS OF GOV. BINGHAM,
AZ the Dedication OF the Agricultural ColIos,
May 13. 1897.

May l3, 1857.
Mr.. President, and Gentlemen of the Boar
| of Education.
The people of tho State of Michigan hav
acquired honorable distinction for their yea
and success in the cause of Education. Eve
before they had assumed the powers of
sovereign State, under territorial govern
ment, with but a few thousand inhabitants
they had perfectly organized educationa
system, with their tow nship School In
spector, and School Commissioners, Super
lntendeut of Public Instruction, and law,
imposing the severest penalty for any waste
or destruction upon the lands wisely reserved
by Congress for tho purposes of Edrcation
80 when, nearly aquarter of century ago
the people assembled to form State Con.
stitution, preparatory to admission into this
great Confederacy, they incorporated into
that Constitution provision that "the Leg
islature shall encourage, 10y all suitable means.
the promotion Of intellectual, scientifcal, and
agricultural improvement" And they de-
clared that the proceeds of all lands granted
by the United States for the support of
schools should remain perpetual fund, the
interest of which should be inviolably appro-
priated to the support Of schools throughout
tho State. Provision was also made for q
permanent fund for the support of Univer-
slty. These judicious and timely measures
have been faithfully adhered to and enforced.
Among the first acts of State legislation was
the organization of an educational system,
consisting Of complete and thorough estab-
llshment of Primary Schools throughout tho
State-the founding of Universary, en-
bracing in the ample scope of its design,
less than furnishing to all the inhabitants of
the State "the means Of acquiring thorough
knowledge of the various branches of Lite
rature, Science, and tho Arts" Numerous
Professorships were established in all the or
dinary college studies, as well as in depart
ments of law and Tedicine. A department
of State Government was also established
for the sale and control of the lands, out of
which a fund was to be created for the main
tenance and support of these institutions
These incipient steps so wisely taken at the
of our State Government, have
been crowned with eminent success. The
Universary is completely organized and in |
successful operation. We have a Normal
School for the education OF teachers of which |
our State may justly feel proud. The Pri-
mary and Union Schools, greatly improved
md improving, draw within their influence
nearly every one of the rising generation.-
Collegiate Institutions, both for male and fc-
male, sustained by private enterprizc, have
prung up in various parts of the State.-
And Michigan stands, to-day, very far in
advance of any of her western sister States,
rot only in the high standard of public SEN
iment which maintains her system of eduea-
ion, and in the uhoroughness of its organi-
alton, but in the judicious management of
he means by which fund has been created
or their support.
Yet, notwithstanding the system of cdu-
alton seemed so complete, deep.seatcd
nd universal feeling prevailed throughout
he State, that the great staple, Agricultu
nj Interest, was neglected; that while Pro
'ssoiships had been very properly establish
d to teach Astronomy, Civil Engineering,
ledcine, and Law, We needed n schoor Ca !
ressly adapted for the farmers sons, to teach
he ennobling science Of Agriculture. This
revailng sentiment prompted the Conven-
ion Of 1850, for the revision of tho Consti-
ltion, TO engiaft into that instrument that,
s soon ~ practicable, the Legislature shall
rovide for tho establishment of an Agricul-
nral School. That "practicable" period in
ne opinion of the Legislature of 1855 had
rived, and they passed an act appropriating
ne 22 sections of Salt Spring Lands, refer
ID to in the Constitution, and authorized
he Executive Committee of the State Agri-
ntural Society, in conjunction with the
'oard Of Education to select and purchase
ne farm for the location Of the school, This
uty has been happily and satisfactorily per-
,rmed. A valuable tract of land, of about
even hundred acres, has been purchased; /;
cry desirable on account of its location
'ithin three miles of the Capitol-the vario-
? and quality of its soil, it fine timber, its
eautiful springs and rivuets by which it is
altered, and the noble river which passes
trough it. Through the well directed ef-
'rts of the Board Of Education, who are
ntitlcd to vote Of thanks of the people of
he State, these noble structures have been
aised, and these improvements have been
lade. Professors in the various branches of
ducation have been selected, and to-day,
nder tho most favorable auspices, We have
ave assembled to inaugurate the commence
,ent Of the Michigan Agricultural College.
ientlcmon, if this experiment Cor such we
lust admit it at present to bc) shall prove
lccessful, Michigan, rist in many other mat
,rs Of progress and improvement, will be
istly entitled to the high honor of having
rst established College to teach tho theory
nd practice of Agriculture. This interest
lg event, then, inspiring us with hopes of
romsc for the future, is cause for mutual
IL is not my intention to discuss at any
,ngth the benefits which the people of this
tate are to derive from the establishment
this institution. This has already been
lluded TO with great ability.
Man derives his sustenance from the soil;
nd the progress Of people in civilization,
a refinement, intelligence and wealth, is
iarkcd by the skill with which the earth is
lied. No country can flourish long or main
ain its moral or physical health, when Agri-
ulture is neglected or degraded.
The amount Of farmers sales, and his