The record-union., 1891-10-02
OPENING THE NEW UNIVERSITY.

OPENING THE NEW UNIVERSITY.
In 1886 Senator Leland Stanford and his
wife made to the people the munifcent
gift by which the Leland Stanford Jr.
University became possible. Yesterday
at Palo Alto the first fruits of their wise
use of wealth in promotion of a scheme
of higher education were gathered by the
opening and formal dedication of the new
institution.
The record Of the occasion will form an
important part of the history of Califor-
Mia and of the nation. Endowment of
schools of learning and of institutions of
civilization by men and money of large
means has notably distinguished this
and the preceding century, finding its
suggestion in earlier benefactions by
States, rulers and private wealth. While
the precise amount of the endowment of
the Stanford University can be only APP
proximately stated, yet it is safe to say
that'it far exceeds any ever bestowed for
educational purposes.
The generous founders of the new uni
versity contemplated in their original
grant the creation of free scholarships to a
certain extent for deserving youth. But
the original plan has been so elaborated,
and the endowment so fortified by be-
quests and the direct use of money, that
tuition is announced to be wholly free,
thus throwing the doors wide open, with
only the requirement of preparatory fit
ness and fair repute.
The heart of the scheme OF the uni
versity is found in the liberal character of
its plan of higher education; its attention
to the practical, the prohibition of sec
tarianism, the recognition of the equality
of the sexes in the privileges of the insti-
tuition, and in the injunction that the
course Of conduct of the university shall
make predominant the fitting of the pu-
pills for active, useful pursuits in life
Thus, industrial and agricultural training
and the cultivation and development of
artistic skill are specially enjoined.
The students are likewise to be taught
that reverence is due the Overruling
Power of the Universe, and that the soul
of man is immortal. They are to be dill
gently instructed in the principles under
lying the advantages of cooperation;
they are to be imbued with respect for
the substructural principles of free gov
ernment. They are to be inspired by
the example of the whole conduct of the
university with patriotic regard for the
doctrines which gave birth to the Dec
laration of Independence, with reverence
for the blessings of liberty regulated by
law, and for those inalienable rights, the
defense of which led to the laying of the
foundations and the erection of the su-
perstructure of the American Republic
A popularity of the constitution of this
new institution is that during the lives of
the founders they are 10 retain wholly
the control and direction of its econo-
mics. the management of its estates and
the supervision and regulation of its
scheme of education, even to the extent
of radically modifying the latter if it shall
appear wise to them to do so.
This is either condition of strength or
of weakness. But in the hands of the
donors, who long contemplated the plan,
and so deliberately laid its substructure
after taking serious counsel of the educa-
tional experience of the age, and who so
laboriously calculated and provided for
the material cost of maintenance, the
people have faith that the conduct of the
university will be sound and wise and
grow in vigor and excellence. So that
when time shall have gathered in the
founders, the trustees, upon whom the
task of direction will devolve, will find
the university abreast with the benign
purposes of its creation and the civiliza-
ton and humanity of the age, and so en-
dowed that its resources will be COM
mensurate with the most ardent hopes
entertained of its growth and possibili-
ties.
If this new university is not to take
rank and have growth that will in the
due order of development place it abreast
with the foremost educational agencies OF
the era, it will have been founded to
small purpose. If its scheme shall prove
as benefcent to humanity as its pro-
noters have planned for it, and the uni
versity takes its place as one of the great
potential forces in the qualification OF
young men and women for personal
success and direct usefulness in life," il
will stand as a monument to wealth
wisely bestowed unparalleled in history.
That such will be its future is the gener-
Gus hope of the people to whom it is
given.
The instrument of endowment, a very
full synopsis of which is given in another
column, will reveal to deliberate exami-
nation the inspiration of patriotic and
humane spirit, and that it was con-
structed with the calmness of wisdom
and clear conviction of what constitutes
true philanthropy. Love for our fellow
men is of the highest motives that can in.
spire as to action. 1t was this lofty in
centive, coupled with desire that com
mands the respect of all who have fell