The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-15

before me. believe that our university is the
most valuable of Indianas possessions 1t is
not yet great university. 1t is not a univer-
sity at all. but it Is the germ OF one. and Its
growth is as certain as the progress OF the sun.
When left the commencement stage of my
alma mater, some thirteen years ago, our presl-
dent exhorted us. we went out into the world,
to stand by our State universities. for in them
lies the educational hope OF the West and the
South. The State is greater than any OF its
parts, and sooner of later the university of the
State must be built higher, and broader, and
deeper than is possible for any school controlled
by a religious denomination or by any private
corporation. The State University may meet
bound to grow 1t is have seen within the last
two years something of the vitality of the IIdi-
ana University in times of trial and danger. 1t
was said of Lincoln that he
Even in death could give
This token of freedoms strife,
proof how republics live
Not by single life.
$50 too, the ealamities Of our university have
given US strong tokens of encouragement. her
life is dependent on the presence and the work
of no one man, no matter how wise or now
strong. II is not dependent on buildings, muse
ums, or libraries. nor on the capricious favor OF
a Legislature Where earnest young men and
women gather together for learning's sake, and
where more advanced students give to them or
their store, we have the essentials of the univer-
huckleberry party.
Il am glad TO believe that the president is not
the essential part of the university. l certainly
hope that president my efforts may aid the
growth of the university but also take comfort
in the belief that my blunders cannot do much
to retard it, In any case, success or failure does
not depend on my efforts alone feel that
stand here as the representative OF the faculty.
/ hope in all things to work with the earnest
cooperation of my brother professors who
know already my ways and my weaknesses, and
with their help / cannot go far astray.
"To the students would say, as have said
before, it is for you, and you only, that the uni
versity exists. To aid you in your aspirations
is the sole reason why we are here. Your IN
tereSts cannot be diverse from ours. We hope
always to have your hearty support in all mat
tiers in which the welfare of the university is
concerned. have said, not long ago, that If
ever college in our land had occasion to be
grateful for the intelligent aid of its students,
that college is our own. ] am sure that your
help will not fail us in the future it has not IN
the past And to you, citizens OF Bloomington
let me say: You are our environments. No
man or institution can be free from the IN
fuence of his surroundings And in the work
on which enter, this influence may be sufficient
support until I show myself inefficient or un
worthy. When that time comes, shall not
stand for moment in the way of the better
man whom hope some day to introduce to you
- the right man to lead our university. When
he comes, shall return to my chosen fields.
Until then, / ask of each of you help, your
sympathy. your prayers. But your congratu-
lations may wait Croesus once said to friend
who flattered him, ''Call no man happy till he is
dead" Congratulate me- if at ALL when l have
dropped the harness and returned to my native
DaStureS1