The morning times., 1896-03-10
Formal Ceremonies al The Ameri-
can uniVersity's Site.
BISHOP HURST PRESIDED
Post master General Wilson and DIR.
II. l.. whitman Were Among the
Speech-Makers-W Women Took Part
In the Ground Breuking-Corner-
Stone VIII Be Laid in Few Weeks.

ttiiAH NuitIl tufIltt were
the first for the group of the architectural
pile which will form the university in
its entirety, strictly speaking this ground
breaking was for the College OF History,
the first of the several buildings that will
be erected.
The site of the American University is
theoretically at the intersection OF Massa-
clusetts ana Nebraska avenues, but there
are no such avenues extended that far
yet, so practically the site, which COM
priSes 80 acres, is on the Loughborough
road, with TenIeytown near on the north,
and Foxhai ON tne south. 1t is about four
miles from the White House and three
fourths of a mile from the Tenleytown
electric road. It's historic interest is
that it is within sight OF the first fort
built north or the Potomac during the
civil war. Its appropriateness as a place
for scientific culture is found in the fact
that the ground was once owned by Addison,
the editor OF the Spectator.
ON HIGH GROUND.
1t is situated Oh the highest eminence
in the region OF its loca ton, with the Wash
ington monument in full view and several
hundred people We're gathered there yes
terday to witness the specially arranged
ceremony which should mark the epoch
which years of patient labor had attained.
large baggage wagon vas halted i'm
mediatcly At the site OF the central court,
or quadrangle, of the projected institu-
ton, Il Iiag was iasheu 20 the hind wheel
and standing III the center OF the vehicle,
with Bis coat buttoned closely around him,
iOr an eager and & nipp.ng air was blowing
a VeTitatjir gale on that hilltop Bishop
Hurst, chanCslIor OF the university, in
ri nh
into the wagon.
The bishop was master of ceremonies,
though Hon. Matthew q. Emery was pro-
grained Tor that distinguished function,
but was detained at his home by illness.
Dr. j. +. RANKIN, president Of Howard
University, had written hyGn for the
occasion which, first being read by DR..
Teunis :. Eani.in, was sung by the congre-
CATION. lea by Mr. Wilson ana Prof. EDGAR
Frisby.
Scripturai esponsivercading from Psalm
XIX was led by DR.. Alexander Mackay-
Smith and responses by all present.
BISHOP HURST'S REMARKS.
Chaplain of the Senate Milburn offered
prayer, followed by brief introductory
address by bishop Hurst.
He said that when the trustees cast
about to discover what great event the 9Th
of March is the anniversary OF they found
that just three years ago DIR. Samuel L.
Beiler was elected vice chancellor, so
that there was considerable appropriate
ness in the date for turning the first earth,
aside from the fact that the time is season
able and everything is in such complete
readiness to undertake the great work.
He said lie and Mr.. TaImage had made
this selection for the university after two
weeks securing the country round about
Washington for a site, and that the ground
cost 100000.
OF the amount paid for the ninety acres
of ground onc-han had been paid by other
denominations than Methouists for It
was to be u univcrsiiy-the American Uni
Nersity- without SeCtarian regard other
than that its movement was the work OF
Meth0diSts and would be under their con-
troll. That il was American in the fun
sense he inStanced by saying that in the VIII
of the late Henry Massey of Toronto, Can
ada, there was Il provision for $50, ,000
to he paid the trustees for the univcrsitys
end dowment.
The bishop read messages from Senators
ThurSton and Nelson, VINO were announced
to make speeches, that they were de-
tanned in the Senate by cons. .deration OF
the special Cuban matter aud they would
be excused gladly If they could help the
cause OF suffering Cuba, and hasten the
day of her Independence.
Representative Quige, who was also to
be one OF the SPEAKERS. Stne word OF his in
ability to be present. In about three weeks,
the bishop said. the corner stone OF the
college of history building Will be lad,
and the ceremonies attaching to the oC-
Casion would be publicly announced. He
then introduced Postmaster General VIII
son, whom he said would on this occasion
have to represent the Senate, the House.
the SUPREME Court, the Cabinet, and the
administration.
MIR. WILSON SPOKE.
Mr.. " ilson said that tie had 4 difficult
task, but he could give The assurance that
with any differences of opinion the various
departments may have on some matters,
they were in thorough accord regarding
these auspicious ceremonies. He said that
out of an era OF prospective, the university
had entered upon an era of activity. He
dwelt at length upon the Chrstianizing
influences of great universities, and how
the idea of freedom was best fostcred by
learning.
The remarks OF the Postmaster We're
brief, but the sentiments he expressed met
q responsive chord and he was loudly ap
plauded.
He was followed by Dr.. 3. Whitman,
president of Columbian University, who
made quite an extended address, interest
ing as well. His theme for the most part
was education from the general stand
point, and the present day needs of Ameri-
can education, being unification. Re-
garding the American University in par
ticular few Of the many good things he
said. We're:
1T is, suppose, clearly understood, that
this is to be q university under the auspices
and control of the Methodist denomination.
1t is not by chance that the different de-
nominations have made provision for in
tellectual development. The principle has
been too largely acted upon, whether or
not it is clearly confessed to leave any room
for doubt that great part OF the cduca-
tional machinery of our country is to be
operated by men who have a distinctly re-
ligious purpose in their minds.
without. trenching, therefore, upon
grounds sectarian or in any way narrow we
may refer to the noble work which this
institution is destined to perform for the
great denomination which stands back of
it. That denomination already operates
many and honorab BILE schools, and all those
schools will be drawn together by the
thought that this great central institution
toward which it is inevitable much of the
best product of schools of lower grade turn
for the completion of their work. The de-
nomination has planned wisely
GROUND WAS BROKEN
Mr.. Gurney, of Toronto, the friend and
fellow-townsman of the Mr.. MosSey, who
gave the school $4,000, was called upon
ana III a nappy address spoke of the great
friendship Canada has for America and
the admiration his people have for demo-
cratic institutions.
DR.. Beiler said few words, saying the
flag would forever float over the university
The ceremony of breaking ground then
followed. A brand new, shining shovel
was there for the grand initial performance.
Bishop Hurst took up the first earth,
followed by his wife and by Mrs. Summers
Postmaster General Wilson and DR.. Whit
mannextt0okas sIiovelfulinthe orderuamcd.