Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-06-13
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Oedicatory Address Delivered by
President James b. Angel
VI the University Of Michixan-A Plea for
the Support Of State Universities-
Where Children Of the Poor Have
Equal Chances With tho Rich.

q This is proud day for the university of the
state Out OF the ashes Of the old university
building rises the new building In radiant
sepiendor. Every heart is throbbing with de-
light This beautiful and spacious edifce
stands as type and q monument. A type of
the university itself. which. having emerged
from its years Of trials. or disappointments, of
hope deferred, into its new. happy era
OF glorious achievements and still more
glorious promise: . monument to the
generosity Of the state and to the
devotion Of the noble men who have toiled for
years for the present glad contamination. One
can not walk down through the quadrangle
and enter this stately building without re-
calling gratefully the names OF many who
wrought with SO much devotion to furnish the
university with its present equipment. Ihear
from the lips Of you all with whom converse
the warmest acknowledgements to Gov.
Francis and the members OF the Thirty-sixth
general assembly; to your own alumnus. Gov.
Stone. and the Thirty-seventh general as
sembly; to Hon. G. F. Rothwell, who unhappi-
ly was not spared to see the completion of this
building, for which he had so long and ardu-
Ously worked.
ton to you that the recent advances of the uni
versity have been secured, not by the interest
OF few conspicuous friends alone. but by the
aid Of the pressure OF public opinion, as ex-
pressed in the journals of the state. and In the
hearty action Of the legislature. This great
commonwealth has again and again solemnIy
recorded herself as pledged to your support
We may be sure that she rejoices with you to-
and in the heart peoples herself anew to Sc
cure you q future even more glorious than the
past.
But in the JOY Of this glad day we may oil we'll
remember that the recent good fortune Of the
university. which finds its most striking ex-
preston in the construction of this edifice, has
been passable only because other men did so
brayely and efectually in earlier years the
work Of laying well the foundations Of the in
StttuttOnS. NO matter how great ho the
future successes, her friends will never forget.
as they do not forget to-day. the names OF two
in other states as the builders of the
university Of Missouri; President La
deserve to be Furnished in letters of gold
above your portals. Not less worthy Of loving
remembrance are the other presidents and the
ment. have builded their lives into the life of
the university. The presence Of not a few of
these devoted teachers who have stood at their
posts in trying times restraints me from more
particular recognition of their distinguished
alumni and friends Of the university run out to
them all in grateful appreciation. and credit
each with his due share in the glory that at
last crowns the university.
In response to your courteous invitation to
me to address you, 1t has seemed to me that
might a; 81; well ask you to consider what; in view
with which the American state university has
to encounter. what advantages it has to COM
mend it and what needs must be supplied to
insure its success.
UNIVERSITY EMBARRASSMENT.
In our present study of state universities it
will be convenient first to inquire what has
been their chief embarrassment. A very COM
mon criticism on the organization of universi-
ties by the state is that political parties will
interfere with them from partisan motives,
and seek to use them in furtherance of party
ends. theoretically. that seems possible. but
people has prevented this, as it has prevented
such interference with the common schools.
1 think it may safely be predicted that any
party which shall attempt to use either the
universities or the common schools for a par
tisan purpose will lose, as 1t deserves to lose,
mere 5er to
70 the public: r important differences arise
corning line OF policy. or concerning the 1T
ness Of president or professors for their posi-
and general and often more impassioned than
1t does when similar questions are before q
close corporation which - practically respon,
discussion OF university questions are often
conducted in large part by men who are fitted
as experts. and whose debates are therefore
more heated than wise No doubt 1t Is posi-
BILE TO cite cases in which serious harm has
been done by dragging universities and teach
ers into the public arena to be assailed by
these who were quite incompetent to pass
70 dispay their skill Simply
from the malignant ambition to pull prominent
cater to that base but too Common desire to see
them despatched with abuse.
But after all, while temporary harm and In
some cases injustice to worthy persons has
resulted from this exposed and open life Of the
state university. yCs believe that on the
Of the state. Is the better and not
the worse for being to some extent the subject
Of public discussion It Is thus made known
to the whole state. The citizens learn that
they have q responsibility and interest in it.
They can not be expected to bear taxation for
ment Commend themselves TO their favor. And
therefore the more frankly and fully its life Is
laid bare to the people. the better: The
tion. Under the fire Of criticism and public
discussion the state universities have. with
as a class are more invigorated to-day than
they have ever been before. The state univer-
stiles have had TO contend with more or less
their life are to some extent unfriendly to the
of a liberal character in the stu
OF UNCONVENTIONAL colleges. have displayed
pretty active zeal in disseminating this i'm
Collegiate education for their children prefer
to have them surrounded by influences which
are helpful rather than hurtful to their re-
ligicus life. The belief that such life Is dis
couraged rather than encouraged at any col
lege would be an obstacle to its prosperity.
friendly to virtue and religion. and desires the
cultivation OF them in the young In q reaSona-
BILE and catholic way. and 1t will not long sus-
IL q
learning those who are actively opposed to this
sentiment.
But with regard to the whole subject of the
religious influences in and about the state uni
versity, think it Is time o frank and honest
word was spoken to Christian men, Able in
stitutions Of whatever kind are In the end con-
Interested in them. and who take pains to
shape their policy. II all men who have at
GUS influences In the state hold themselves
aloof from the state universities and content
themselves with critfzising them. It may
will fall into the hands OF men of different
views No one can reasonably doubt that the
state universities are here to stay. for good or
for i'll. In accepting the United States grants
Of land for the maintenance of the university.
each state has in reality bound itself to sup
port such an institution. However; the states e
the plant, and SO strong sentiment In favor OF
the universities has been created, that they
are certain to continue In some form; IS 1t not
smen OF the state, however interested any Of
chem may be in the support Of other colleges,
@i eIeaI the 1nI Of the universisy
The state universities have suffered from
q certain instability Of place and purpose. This
d den aericuiturai colleges. from our in
experience In conducting such institutions.
But It has also sometimes happened. because
our legislature has given the means to eStab-
lish some department Of some kind OF work
and the next legislature has failed TO continue
the needed APPROPRIATIONS; This uncertainty
the confidence of the students and of the pub
lie in the wisdom of the administration. It
creates in the teachers KIND OF soiieitnGe
their wcrk. We have now had experience
et.o:,.n s., That wc ought ID be fairly agreed
Is the Se
out the broadcast plan to undertake no depart
Snent or work until there Is high probability
Scvo a v,erynanent sr1y,uort IL it proves success