The University--mr. Lothrop's Oration

Ah our space will not perinit the full reproduction of the seholarly oratiou given by Hou. George V. N. Lothrop on Commenceuiont day, we must content ourself with copying a few of the closing paragraphg, paragraphs which einbody his conclusions : To sum up here, our propositions are : 1 . That education is the duty of the free State, because uecessary to its safety. 2. That the higher education is but a neceBsary part of any sutKoient system of education. 3. That historically Michigan ia pledged to provide for and maintain this oomplete system of education. 4. That it enhances the power and the welfare of the State in peace and in war. 5. That only by this means can we hope for that conquest over the torces of nature so necessary to the safety of society. 6. That this University is not only the consummation of what has been done, but the prornise of what símil be done by Michigan in the great duty of offering her children the privileges of the most liberal instruction. And here let us turn back a little in our path. We have Been how rapid the University was in ita devolopment. Iu the fall of 1850 the Medical School was opeued, to be followed nine years later with the Law School. In 1851 thero were 109 atudents ; iu 1860, 519; in five years more the numberhad risen to 1,700 ; and in 1872 to over 1,200. As they were gathered froin inany States it is apparent how the circle of its fame and its influenoe had widened. How is it now equipped for its future work V How is it furnished with teachers, book collections, apparatus, laboratorios and and the othar means which rueanure its teaching power 'i It has an activo corps of about 70 teachers. The librarles con tai n in all about 33,0(10 volumes. The.re is a valuable museum of anatoiny and materia medica. An ampie and growing geological colleotion. A zoologieal colleetion said in some respecta to be superior to any in this country. Creditable colleotions uf botany, archeology, and art. A most thoroughly equipped general laboratory, with with throe other special laboratories. A fine astronomical obsorvatory. And finally, hospitals for clinical study and practice. This, of course, is the briefest outline of the institution of learuing to which we pay honor to-day. Iu three short decades it has done its work so well that it has won a name that I trust the people will not willingly let die. It exists in no spirit of jealousy, but in generous sympathy and euiulation for whatever is best done elsewhere. But it inay be asked "does not this impose a heavy burden of taxation ? even were it so, would this be a fatal objection ? Would not the first inquiry be, is it fairly worth its cost 'r1 There are few great blessings which come without cost. Nature is the only free almoner ; but to write and to read does not come even by nature, whatever any Dogberry inay say. Let us count the cost. First, however, we must put one side the University fund, for the reveuue froin this is its own. In 1838 to launch the University the State made a loan of $100,000 whioh seems to have been all repaid. I think no other mouey aid was granted till 1867, when au mniuity of $15,000 per annuin was voted by the Legislature. Iu 1873, by a graiit of a tax of the one-twentieth of oue mili, the amount was raised to about $31,000, In 1875 special appro priations oí about $20,000 a year were added for new schools of instruction, and also a specific grant of about $26,000 for iuiprovemants on the University proporty. In 1877 furthor approprialious were made of $27,000 for that year, and $22,500 for the year 1878. It gives me pleasure to reiite this generous publiu aid. But surely this is not a burthen. It is but a pittance froin the great wealth of tbo people ; it is but a trining share of the revunue, and every dollar is certainly thrice repaid. The equalized assessment roll of the State fixes the taxable property of the State at this time at $630,000,000. The real valué of this property eau hardly be less than three times that sum. But suppose it be only $1,500,000,000. A tax of one-thirtietli of one mili would give $50,000 or an annuity about equal to the largest annual bill ever granted to the University. It sliould shaiue us to cali this a burthen. It is but the sowing of a handfnll of seed that we may gather the full sheaves of a precious harvest. Let us reflect on the broad streatn of whole8ome influence carried heuce yearly by accornplished and aapiring young men. Are we proud of our wise and intelligent public opinión 'i Is it not largely inoulded and purified by men trained here 'i Are we proud of the charity and humane providence of our institutions. Is not their best guide and defense the liberal learuing of thia place F Do all our varying religious forins, creeds, casting out uncharitableness, unite to sweeten society P Is not much of this due to the tolerant and catholic spirit which reigns like a beuediction here ' Doos overy calliug, every industry, every art in our midst feel the power of kuowledge ? Ia it not because they are rised and led by standards held up here 'r Do we count the things that give ua renown abroad ? What of Michigan is so well and widely kuowu as thia University i This is what has been done and is to-day doing through this University. And the changes lately annouuced here iu the methods of instruction seein to me most wise. They open to each student the path to which his tastes and gift8 iuvite hiui, and take froiu him the fetters of the old class routine. They will give, it seems to me, the impresa of a freer life and of increased power. It should be our aim that this house of learning should, indeed be set on a hill, that its light cannot be hid. lts doors should be wide open to the four sides of heaven, and whoso will may enter aud fiud the help of kuowledge. 1 would that thero should be no young man nor young woinan in the State who shall really desire an education in any useful secular scionco, oalling, art or iudustry, who may not fiud hero the amplest iustruction. It is sometimos complained that youth from other States flock hither for education. Por my part I rejoice that it is so. What splendid testimouy to the work done hero 1 What though thoy return to their own homes 'f They do not rob us by what thoy carry away. They are but ships, to use the imagery of Lord Bacon, which carrry liches and conimodities and consociate remóte rogions in the participation of fruits. Wherever they go they go not ouly better qualined for good and true service for mankind, but also as heralda of the learning and powor of this University. Indeed, I can conceive no nobler dostiny for the Uuiversity than that it ahould rise to suoh true eminence as to draw votaries from the wide world ; that it should hold its lamp of learning so high, so bright, so full, that scholurs from all lands should come hither to share its beams. "Higher, as to tlieir fountaili, other stars Repairing, u their golden urus draw lighl," It was onco gallantly said of a noble and inspiring woman that to have loved her was to a worthy man a liberal education. So would 1 have it here. I would have such power dweil here that to have studied in its halls and breathed i's atmosphere should e nnoble with a broader and higher life. Gentlemen Regents! My final word is to you : In the care of this University the care of maiutainirtg and advancing tho highost forms of oducation in Miohigan is entrusted to your handx. Xo more sacred trust can -ver be given yoa. I invoke for it your utmost tidelity and wisdom. Let no personal or .seliish interest divide your eouusels or betray your judgments. Let those who were its founders and those who have been its guardians in the past be your modela. Let not one jot or tittle fail ot' the high hope and noble spirit with which the University was founded. Give generous sympathy and help to the ïoftly airns which now posseas it. Let it keep full step witb the best thought, enlightenment, and progress of the world. Jealously guard and maintain it as a great school for true science, knowledge and virtue, a nurse and monitor of free ideas and enligutened citizeuship, and Michigau will forever cherish it as its chief ornament and