Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-11-22
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Snoccn maae BEFORE the Athencan
Society of Missouri state Onf-
yersity, by Il. J. Duling.

Mn PRRs1pKNT:-It is with q sense OF the
hiphest Measure thatsiortune again permits me
IN raise nv humble voice within the Classic pre-
.;ncts of tbis hall, remember that in the near
past it was not only my privilege but my honor
to he n member of the Athenean Society, and US
stand before you bright visions Of that past
hit across the wall of r,y memory that are en-
te,ta,nipr in an eminent degree. That past Is
40 filled with romance and reality that 1t ap-
pears as but the gddy. maze oil dream. hut
find since nv connection with the society that
change has, come over the spirit Of my dream.
he eloquent voices Of Rollins. Marshall, DAVIS
and score of others that might mentioh nave
ceased to be heard here. Their places nave Deeh
hled by those. perhaps, more taiehleu' o"'
noyer more ambitious who like them, no doubt,
are rushing on to crimson glory and undying
fame. While l acknowledge the superior ad-
vantages afforded by this society, no less up
preciate the SURPRISING claims ofthe instltatioh
of which 1t is member.
The Missouri State University is the best edu-
cai,onal institution within the borders ol the
state, and stands in the foremost hle OF other
western colleges 1t is an institution of which
M,ssourians ought Justly to feel proud, but some
| Of whom. / blush to say, have blistered their
relentless palms in endeavoring to stamp upon
| II moral and intellectual corruption. We have
long beheld with feelings of pity and disgust the
| nrebrands of sec,arianism being hurled against
| her stately doom. do not say that the SANDER
Gus charges which have been brought a8aihs'
| the University have ever found accents In the
voice Of education-loving people, but IL is inc
bounding of it's whelps. 1t was once SAID ny an
lllustrious 'Kentuckian that, the best iruit III
an orchard was always known as the tree aroune
| which there lay the most sticks anu stones.
II this be true the University is the pest educa
tonal fruit tree in Missouri. 1t IL an apt liiust
tion of the inevitable law of the survival Oh tn
lfttest. Fostered aud sustained by the weaitl
and talent ofthe great state OF Missouri, there
no good reason why the University shouid no
only equal but eclipse the fame of Harvard an
Yale. The opulent cities and broad prairles
the golden fields and smiling valleys, togethe
with n substrata OF mineral wealth that is I'm
riyaled by any state in the Union, Missoul
stands forth as the most brilliant star l
the galaxy of the American Union. She
literally the Eldorado of olden fable. Wit
commercial resources, no less advantageou
than her natural endowments, Missouri is pecl
liarly the favored state of the republic. In II
language of immortal Benton 'in the Mlssissip
valley is the seat of the empire" Never did tn
great mind conceive q greater truth than whe
he uttered these prophetic words. 1t was, !
doubt, that foresight and sagucity which led II
illustr ious statesman to devote the energies
bis life to the service of our state, Of which he
we'll styled the father.
Born upon the virgin soil of West Virgin
and nativity, standing family ties still existil
there. have consecrated myself to Missouri
soil, on which desire to spend peaceful al
useful life, and on which, God being willing
hope to die; and have no greater ambition th
when shall have passed to silence and pathe
dust that my poor remains may be entombed
tc | raath hers sOi.