Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-06-18
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS.

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS.
Brief History of . Great Educational In.
stttution-The Accomplishments OF .
Quarter of q Century.
At the recent commencement exer-
cises of the University of Kansas, which
was also the twenty-ffth anniversary
of the institution, President Angel, of
the University of Michigan, delivered
the following address:
This day makes landmark in the history
of this university. Her sons and her daugh-
.ers have gathered from far and near to cell
citrate the twenty fifth anniversary of her
birth. quarter of q century has elapsed
since she first opened her hospitable doors
and invited the youth from all parts of this
broad state to enter and receive a college
education almost without money and with
out price The marvel is that SO early in the
hard and troubled life of this state the insti-
tuition was prepared to make this generous
offer. Kansas had been born into statehood
fve years before, only after throes of vO-
lence which shook the whole nation to ITS
extremities. In spite of the dreadful con-
tests which ravaged this region from 1885,
vigorous efforts were made from early days
to provide for common schools and schools
of collegiate rank.
Compared with the present the days of the
founding of this institution were the days of
of the state was 500, OK, 600. Now it is more
than $34s, 900. 90 Like every similar institu-
ton this university met with its share of de-
lays and difficulties and diSappOintmentS.
But under the leadership of courageous and
energetic men it has pushed its way to the
point where it has become the pride of the
state and where its future is secured. To-
day it will have graduated in its twenty five
years of existence about 300 from its COL
legiate department and about 600 from all
departments More than l. 600 others who
could not remain to graduate have pursued
liberal studies here for some years. The
university has now an income of sSA. 600 q
year. 1t has more than thirty teachers. and
among them are men of national reputation.
whom the older and larger universities
would be glad to numbe among their ranks.
1t has a large outfit of the appliances for
teaching the sciences according to modern
methods. In a word it is furnishing excel
lent instruction 1t is no exagxSration to say
that in it's twenty five years of existence the
university has made more progress than
Harvard college made in two centuries after
its foundation. Rather than be impatient
that the development of this useful institu-
ton has not been more rapid. give thanks
that it has gone forward at so swift a pace.
There is SO much that is similar in the his
tory and situation of all the state universi-
ties that each is profoundly concerned in the
prosperity of all the rest. The failure of any
one weakens, the success of any one
strengthens all the others. There Is no more
conspicuous featurein the history of Amer
lean education of late years than the rapid
and brilliant developments of state unfver-
stiles From Ohio to the Pacific. from North
Dakota to Texas, nearly every state has
established or is preparing to establish q uni
versity on the foundation OF the United states
land grants to each state During the last
quarter of a century some OF them have
grown with extraord nary rapidity, and q
few of them need fear no comparison with
:he strongest and Oldest and most richly en-
dowed universities in the east They are
firmly established IN public favor, the ad-
vantages of maintaining them have become
SO obvious to the taxpayer that while they
may not always secure SO large an appro-
priaton as they may desire the question OF
giving them what is deemed a fair support
is in few or no states longer open to discus
sion. 1t is worthy of note that the develop
ment of state universities has been natural.
not artificial and because this is true we
may expect their continuous growth. They
were founded because they met real and
serious need. Mistakes have been made. it
is true. Still, in spite of these discourage
ments, the university lived and grew and
the taxation for the support of the univer-
shy has not been in the least burdensoine
1here is really no more democratic insti-
tuition in our country than the college or
university. All distinctions of family and
of wealth disappear here more than any
where else in the world. The son of the hOd
carrier and the son of the millionaire there
sit side by side on the same bench. Which
ever of them has the brains and the char
acter is there the king. 1t is an experience
of untold value to this nation that in univer-
sites thousands of young men and women
are living in a communit. in which every
one of them is judged by his intrinsic worth
and talent, regardless of the incident of birth.
The state university needs wise and viXor-
Gus administration by its regents and its
faculties 1t is more complicated Organi.
cation than the old fashioned New England
college. Its wants are more varied; its re-
lations to the people and to the legislature
Qotn
They should strive to cherish he broadcast
and most generous views of the functions
of the university and enlarge plans for its
future development The president and fac
ulty should have the same conception of the
nature and work of the state universities
1t is especially desirable that the religious
men and women of the state should cherish
q warm interest in the university. Many
hold themselves alOof from the university
under the impression that life in such insti :
tutions is not conducive to the growth of re-
ligious character. This impression is not
justified by the present condition OF state
universities. The regents generally repre-
sent the moral and religious sentiments OF
thepeople and the faculties are made up of
men who almost without exception are ear
nest, reverend. Cod fearing men.
Again. If the university is to prosper it
must have the financial help needed for its
proper development A university is not
developed by cataciysms- 1t must have a
certain steadiness of life. Legislatures may
should not be forgotten that it is not bricks
end mortar even If moulded into the fineet
architecture, but the men in the teachers
chair. that above all make a university.
Gather the great teachers here and students
will receive their instruction even though
the lectures are given in huts of sod or on
the open prairie.
There is ample room in THE state and in
each of the western states for one large and
prosperous university. This state. imperial
in size and imperial in resources, should
plan for a great and proud future. But one
thing is absolutely necessary to this people
of noble lineage and high character and I'M
daunted enterprise, ii they are to gain and
retain for the state that conspicuous posi-
ton which you are predicting for her, that
one thing Is sufficient number OF men
trained by the best education to fit them for
leadership in all departments of human
activity, for emnence in branches of indus
trial. of professional and of civic life
II this great state aspires to do her part in
securing for the west the high trust of lead
ership she must see to it that the best tram
ing OF the age is secured for her children.
May all the educational institutions of this
state be generously supported MAY this