River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-07-25
WILLIAM r. HARPER.


WILLIAM r. HARPER.
Chicago University President Opposed to
National Idea.)
Jefferson, both the Adamses, Madison,
Monroe, Jackson, Grant and Hayes;
by Benjamin Franklin, Edmund Ran
dolph and Justice Lamar, as well as a
long line of able but less famous men.
After q consultation with James
Madison and Edmond Randolph, Wash
ingtcn announced to the>commission-
era IF the District of Columbia his pur-
pose 20 contribute a large sum to the
establishment of a national university.
He carried out his purpose by giving
securities, which, it is estimated, if
held, to the crescent day, would have
been worth S4,000,000. In the prepare
ton of his final address he set apart
the 10 acres of'land known as Universe
ty square, at the foot of Twenty-fifth
street, where the National observatory
was first located. In his last message
to congress he said: Il have hereto
fore proposed to congress the expedi-
ency of establishing national uni
versity and also military academy.
THE desirableness of both these in
stitutions has so constantly increased
with every new view | have taken on
the subject that ! cannot omit the OPP
portunity of once for all recalling your
attention to them. Among the motives
to such an institution, the assimilation
of the principles, opinions and manners
of our countrymen, by the common ed
ucation of a portion of our youth from
every quarter, will deserve attention"
President Jefferson wanted to bring
a faculty from Geneva for the institu-
ton, and proposed the use of the treas
ury surplus for its endowment. Presi-
dent Madison urged in three messages,
saying in his last; "Fhe Importance
which l attach to the establishment of
university in this district on a scale
and for objects worthy of the Ameri-
can nation. induces me to renew my
recommendation of its favorable CON
sideration." President Monroe said
IF it receives hereafter the proper en-
enlargement, it cannot fail to be en-
inently useful to thelna ton"
President John Quincy Adams la
mented that lin surveying the city,
which has been honored by his name,
he Washington would have seen the
spot on earth which he had destined
and bequeathed to the use and benefit
of his country, as the site for a uni
versity, still bare and barren
President jackson, in 1882, approved
the appropriation of $25, 900 to Column
bian college, on account of the gener-
ally acknowledged utility of central
literary establishment" and of his hope
that the institution might realize the
dreams of his predecessors.
President Grant, in 1873, again took
up the theme and said in his message:
II would suggest to congress the pro-
priety of promoting the establishment
in this district of an institution of
learning or university of the highest
class by donations of land. There is
no place better suited for such an insti-
futon than the national capital. There
is no other place in which every citizen
is so directly interested"
In 1877 President Hayes renewed this
recommendation.
In 1885 Hon. L. @. c. lamar, then sec
rotary of the interior, wrote: Eighty
years ago President jefferson, then in
the fullest tide of his authority as a
party chief, told congress that to COM
plete the circle of democratic policy a
national university was a necessity
and should be created. In the histories
of nations democracies have been the
cradles of pure thought and art. The
same cause which operates in them ex-
lists in American society. and whether
through national university or in
fragmentary institutions in the sever
al states sooner or later a higher edu-
ca ton, higher than he common school,
the academy or the college can furnish,
will alone realize and express the high
er aspirations of our democracy"
These historic excerpts form part
of Senator Ky!e's report. VIII thatre-
port ever now be presentedto congress-?
The deceased senator was thoroughly
and patriotically in earnest on this sub
iect The narrator has often talked
with him and heard him express the
hope that his name and fame might be
linked with the university which
George Washington 50 fondly hoped
might be established.
Who will take up the work which
Senator Kyle laid down when he an.
swered the summons: Come uy
higher?" SMITH D. FRE