The record-union., 1891-10-02

work begins now, and it is to commemorate
TINS commencement o. your labors that we
are here assem- bled,
That which we have bestowed upon the es-
adjustment and endowment of this institu-
1on we have been more than once advised to
turn into other channels. 1t has several times
been suggested to us that there was
a limit TO the bcnefcence of education
that that limit has been reached in
TINS country, and that the public, private
and endowed schools and colleges already
more than supplied all the needs of the COM
munity; but we have thought differently. We
90 not believe there can be superhuous educa-
ton. AS man cannot have too much health
ana intelligence, so he cannot be too highly
educated. Whether in the discharge of re-
sponsible or hunk bic duties, he viii ever find
uue knoWiedge he has acquired through edu-
cation not only OF practical assistance to him,
put factor IN his pelsonal happiness and a
Joy forever''
1t is through education that the possible frl-
tufe OF man is to be ascertained and attained.
The Creator has not given man rational wants
without the means of supplying them. lie
has given us an :.Il-bountifll earth that yields
ineXhaustfble supplies for our USE Men have
only to apply their labor intelligently and
learn 10 control the natural forces that sur
round them TO have al their command all the
comforts and elegancies of life Mans true
happiness is to be attained not mercy by sat
lsfying his physical wants, but in the CeYel-
opment OF his intellectual, moral and rcllg-
louS nature. 1t is through the expansion and
development of these that the high standard
which the Creator has made possible is TO be
reached and when this standard is attained
the result viii be the establishment ana gen
eral practice of the golden rule and the real
iZation OF the greatest happiness. l hope.
therefore that yoG Will ever keep before you
the highest possible standard. that you Will
strive TO attain il and fully realize that its at
tainnent is the object of education.
The high condition of civilization TO which
man may attain in the future it is almost inn
possible for US now to appreciate. We can best
obtain an idea of it by a conn ariSOu of our
present condition with that of preceding gene
nations. Nor have we 10 look very far bacz.
few years ago, within the memory Of a MAJ
Jority of the adults here preSent-in these
United States, whose very existence as a ma
ton was justified by an inspired declaration
of human inalienable TightS-ovcr four mill
ions of human beings were held in slavery by
mere might. a majority of the people of our
country We're at that time fully persuaded that
the right to ownership of human beings existed
by law which 1t was bound to sustain by
force if necessary.
We believe that wise system of education
will develop future civilization as much in
advance OF that the present as ours is in ad-
vance of the condition of the savage. We may
always advance toward the infinite.
The wonderful Improvements in inventions
and machinery within the last fifty years, by
multiplying the power Of production, have
assisted greatly in the advdn cement OF civiliz-
alton. But for the invention that had done the
most for education we must look back four
hundred and fifty years, 10 the gigantic and
eYer-incFeaSing force put in motion by Gutten-
berg-the printing-press 1t mas made all later
inventions pDStlDl6 anu BidtbtCttDlC. 1t Has
done more tor the dissemination of education
than the endowments of Harvard. Johns ROp-
kins or Girard and but for its existence / 90
not think / should have had occasion to ad-
dress you to-Gay.
once the great struggle of labor was to sup
ply the necessities of life-now, but a small
portion Of our people is SO engaged, Food,
clothing and shelter are common III our cOun-
try TO every prOvident person, excepting, OF
course, in occasional accidental cases. The
great demand tor labor is to supply what may
be termed intellectual wants to which there is
no limit, except that of intelligence to con-
ceve. If all the relations and obligations of
man were properly understood II would not
be necessary Ior people 10 make a burden OF
labor. The great saS OF the tolerS now
are compelled to per. orm such an amount Of
labor as makes life often WearisOme. An in
teilgent system of education would correct
this inequality. 1t would make the hum bieSt
laDOrer's work more valuable, it would in
crease both the demand and the supply for
skilled labor, and reduce the number Of the
non-producing class. 1t would dignity labor,
and ultimately would go far to wipe out the
mere distinctions of wealth and ancestry. It
would achieve a bloodieSS revolution, and
establish a republic of Industry, merit and
learning.
How near to that state we may be, or how
far from it, we cannot now preceive. 1t seems
very far when we contemplate the great
standing armies of Europe, where over five
millions of men (or about one to every twelve
adult maleSl are marching about with guns on
their shoulders to preserve the peace of the
nationS-whiie lowering near them is an in
Vulnerable force of police to preserve the
peace OF individuals, but when we remember
The possibilities OF civilization and the power
OF educatiOn we can foreSee Il time when
these soldiers and policemen shall be changed
to useful. producing citizens. engaged in lift
ing the burdens of the people instead OF in
creasing them. And yet, exhayagant as are
the nations of Europe III standing armies and
preparations for war, their extravaganza in
the waste of labor is still greater Education
by teaching the intelligent use of machinery
ic no N "
We have provided in the articles of endow-
ment that the education of the sexes Shall be
equal, deeming it of special impol tance that
those who are to be the mothers OF a future
generation shall be fitted to mold and direct
the intantile mind at its most critical period
\ celebrated philosopher has said that the
education received by child in the first five
Years of its life was more important than all
the rest; another states in its flrst seven
years the child receives more IDEAS than in all
its after life. How important therefore is il to
have mothers capable Of rightly directing the
infant intelligence.
We have also provided that the benefits re-
suiting from cooperation shall be freely
taught. 1t is through cooperation that
modern progress has been mostly achieved
Cooperative societies bring forth the best
capacities, the best influences of the indi-
VidGal for tie benefit OF the whole, while the
good influences Of the many aid The in
dividual.
The intelligent development of the human
faculties is necessary TO mans happiness, and
ii this be true each individual should if Dos
sible have such a liberal education as to en-
able him TO understan1 ], appreciate and enjoy
the knowledge of Others. We trust that the
education in this institution will be of such a
liberal and broad character that III connected
with ii will have none but the best of feelings
toward other educational institutions and
particularly toward those of this state We
are all working 10 the same end; let us there
fore cordially cooperate. The immediate OBJ
ject of this institution is the personal benefit
and advancement OF the students, but we look
beyond TO the influence it will exert on the
general welfare of humanity.
Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees: The
management OF the affairs of the Leland STAN
ford Jr. University viii ultimately devOlye
upon you. Upon you, therefore, will largely
depend its future usefulness and success. We
feel assured that you realize this as we do
and that you VIII exercise the same vigilance
in the discharge of your duties as trustees
that you have shown in the management OF
your own personal business. We have de-
cided 10 start this institution with the college
course OF study beginning with the freshman
year. In time we hope to extend its SCOPE
from the kindergarten through the high
school TO the university course and afford on
portunites for improvement and investiga-
tion TO post graduates and specialists
When that day comes to us, that sooner or
later must come TO all, we think we Shall both
approach the great change the more calmly
from the knowledge that the threads of our
work viii be taken up. by you, and followed
along he line we have traced.
Mr. PRESIDENT and Faculty: Upon Won
largely depends the success of this as an
educational institution. Ample endowment
may have been provided, intelligent manage
ment may secure large income. students may
present themselves in numbers, but in the
end the Faculty ma1es.or mars the university
The born student is an exception. We know
of calculating boys with wonderful nlathe-
matical giits-of a musician who when eight
years ola composed sonatas, of poet who
'lisped in numbers" but the average bov and
girl of TO day depend almost entirely on their
instructor Tor their energetic interest and as
sured success In study. The students who go
out into the world from these halls will be tie
gauge by which our efforts in behalf of educa-
ton will be tested.
The task before you is q great one. and vo,lr
responsibilities are proportionate Your ex.
amples will have even more influence on the