I : 4
THE HESPERIAN.
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generations. Then came the printing press, of whose bless
ings too much cannot be said in piaise, and a certain degree
of learning of learning became the property of the common
people.
In this, our -ountry, the desire for knowledge became a
passion that could not be quenched. The spark of hope was
fanned into a pure and ever-burning llame, in whose e'ear
light the baneful influences of the old idea became apparent.
Men were no longer dazzled by the glitter of tinsel, of silver
and gold. Their superstitious reverence passed away as the
mist is disseminated by the beams of early morning, and they
began to doubt that an evil ruler could obtain a right to rule
from him who rules aright.
A few brave men, a chosen few whose names shine brighter
as the seasons roll, inspired by that patriotism that loves its
fellowman and rising to that height sublime whose courage
blanches not though danger showed her most appalling form
they dared to trace in characters so plain that none could fail
to read that one great fundamental principle, "all men are
created equal." Uion this corner stone is built the nation to
which we arc all proud to owe allegiance. Under our form of
government not only docs the direct welfare of the individual
depend u(ou his education but thereon is based the stability
and the perpetuity of the nation.
The two theories arc as widely separate as darkness is
from day. As it is true, that superstition and ignorauco
were necessary for the existence of the old idea, so now it is
equally apparent that there is one thing absolutely necessary
for the perpetuity of a government, based upon thcsbrothcr
hood of man, and this essential element consists in the edu
cation of the people.
The law compels no man to foreswear his birthright, and
lowly bending render servile homage to another. It touches
and treats all men alike from the least to the greatest, and its
protecting arm encircles each alike from the greatest even
unto the least. Government docs not consist in the will ol
the few, but in the consent of the governed. Those chosen
to represent and enforce the wishes of the people, arc not
their tyraiiical masters but their obedient servants? Here
each man stands not beneath but sits upon the throne, (or
here in fact as well as theory the people constiiutt the gov
ernment. Upon arriving at the age of maturity each individual is
granted a voice in the affairs of the nation, has an equal share
in the framing of her laws. This is a high and solemn duty,
and as a complement each individual should be so educated
that he will be prepared to act intelligently upon all the
great and important questions submitted to him (or his deter
mination. The highest interest of the people, and the com
mon welfare, demand that he shall understand the responsi
bility thus imposed upon him. Among his recent public ut
terances 1'iesident Harrison affirmed: "My couutrjmen,
kings may rule over an ignorant people, and, by their iron
control, hold them in subjection and in the quietness of
tyranny, but a free land rests upon the intelligence of itspeo
and has no other safety than in well rounded education and
thorough moral training."
Our government, recognizing "that life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness" is the priceless inheritance of all men,
for the security of which the government itself is established,
and that the attainment of this end, and the perpetuity of
this government, depends upon the wisdom and intelligence
of her citizens, deemed it wise to make provision for their
education. To this end, when this our state had attained
her majority, and her older sisters had greeted her, and ex
tended to her a welcoming hand to come in with them into
the sacred family circle, on equal footing with themselves,
our Uncle Samuel, following out his plan of treating all hi
children alike, and wishing only their highest good, made
her a magnificent present. Not to dispose of as she should
choose, but to be used lor the grand, noble and patriotic pur
pose of education. Not only did he do this, but in order to
make it hers so surely that no one might have room for doubt,
pledging his (aith, in which we all possess the highest confi
dence, he executed, and dcliveied to her a deed of gift.
Hut with all his generosity our Uncle Samuel is a cautious
fellow, and when this gift was made he twell knew that it
would operate in behalf of his own best 'interest. He well
knew that Nebraska was a youthful giantess and that the
children reared up on her bosom in the presence of her bright
stars, breathing her ever moving and untainted atmosphere
would be active and brave.
He well knew that ripened grain would wave like billows
of golden light upon her extended fields that king corn would
pour his yellow kernels into bushels without number,
that millions of hors.es, hogs and cattle would grow and fatten
on hillside, plain and valley and that she would become a
controlling influence, not only on the destiny of the United
States but on the world.
Desiring her to exert this influence aright, not only for her
self but lor the benefit of all, he made this princely gift.
Let me read you the deed of conveyance:
"He it enacted, that sections number 16 and 36 in every
township, and when such sections have been sold or otherwise
disposed of by act of congress, other lands equivalent thereto,
in legal subdivisions of not less than one-quarter section, and
as contiguous as may bo, .hall le, and are hereby granted to
said state for the support of common schools."
I said that it was a princely gifj. Think of it, more than
2,700,000 acres! A tract of land over one and one-half times
as large as the "state of Custer," of which, I am proud to
say, I am a resident.
We read of the throne having granted large tracts of land
to support the avarice and extravagant ambition of its retain
ers, of its having confiscated whole sections of country, dis
possessing the ignorant and indigent peasants, and converting
the land into a resort for the pleasure of the king and the
nobility, but to devote it to the education and consequently to
the bettering and ennobling of the common people can only
happen in a free country and in a government wlrch holds the
welfare of its subjects paramount to every other consideration.
Hut this is not all that the deed contains.
Realizing that in the common schools it would not be pos
sible for them to receive that full, complete and systematic -course
of training that the energy and welfare of her people
should demand, in order to complete the gift another clause
was added.
Hermit me to read it to you:
"He it further enacted, that seventy-two other sections of
land shall be mH apart and lescrved for the use and support of
a state university, to be selected in manner as aforesaid, and
to be appropriated and applied as the legislature of said state
may prescribe for the purpose named and for no other pur
pose." Afterwards, ninety thousand acres more were granted for
the purpose of founding an industrial college, and an annual
appropriation of $15,000, to defray expenses of instruction in
agriculture, the mechanic arts, the English language and the
related sciences. Is not this munificence on a magnificent
scale? This is how it happens I am here today. This is how
it happens you are all assembled here, about to take advan
tage of the benefits to be derived from this, our state univer
sity. For, our state, in compliance with the terms of the
deed, has reared these walls, has spread this roof, and decor
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