THE ITESPEJlIAtf.
edge, facts and the apprehension of generalizations. The
oiher is the investigation of truth, the discovery and forma
tion of generalizations. The first process is largely deductive;
for the apprehension of the broadest and deepest generalisa
tion of another is essentially a dedoctive process and requires
comparatively little effort of the reason. Such arc the teach
ingsof all teals, and ibedidacticanddogmaticuttcranccofibe
professor.
But the other process independent investigation mo mat
ter hov few the phenomena, the rod., the flowers, the anth
ers, or ideas compared, is largely inductive, and reqa:ires a
much greater and more alert mental effort. Roth processes
are indispensable; bnt alone the first may rnver thoroughly
arouse the faculties of tbe student. Hence the college grad
mate is iod often entirely unfitted for mental self-help in the
aggressive rough and loaUe of real life. The other process
can make a useful, productive thinker out of mediocrity.
In brief, the University sets up a laboratory in every lecture
room and allows it at each successive stage of the academic
life to occupy a greater relative share of the time until finally
in tie later years it absorbs the whole.
All this liberalization is producing a beneficent moral effect
on th e attitu d e of th e University teach ex. He is ceasing to be
a pedagogue and becomes an active force in the community.
While be pnrsnes knowledge for its own sake and is not dis
mayed by the flings of the time-server, he is nevertheless
practical, and identifies. MmBelf with the weeds, the sufferings,
and the aspirations of bis fellowmen. No subject is too g
moble for bis attention, from the parasite which (destroys the
farmer's crop to the causes of world movements. Tociie the
dictum of the college professor has too often justly excited a
sneer from the man of affairs. Shall it mot be the mission of
the University tolead the executors of thought, the intelligence
which moves the world, to trust and reverenoe that intelli
gence by which thought is produced?
In his relation to the student lie Lmiversity professor is mot
o much teacher as ht is leader in a common mndertaldng.
He does not serve tup, with observance of all proper "dignity
and etiquette, the good things which in like manner were
once dealt out to him ; hecrects his laboratory in the learner's
presence, reveals his own methods and requires the students''
aid. He as sincere ; does not profess infallibility ; rejoices
over the follower who anticipates him an a discovery ; de
lights in the play of intellect, excited by his method, which
may find a -weal: spot in his own armor. The pedagogue of
the old regime prided himself -on his infallibility. It was the
lault of his method that he was sometimes forced to be un
candicL He had mot alwa3'S the moral courage to confess 5g
morance or 'error, and show the ipupil how to remedy at. llf
brought lo bay by some over inquisitive and obtrusive mind,
he was tempted, if he could not find refuge in the wisdom of
Solomoii, to seelc it an that of the Sphynx or of the oracle
doulile longued.
The ainivarsity professor is becoming in a peculiar way tbe
student friend. 333s method berets antimacv. aefleas
. ,- .. taiJ--- . V.-n. -
may seem paradoxical to some, the more concentration
and the more specialization, the more companionship there as
between the leader and his followers. 'Witness the naw&-
simear '"most private instruction of the German professor
lo the fortunate elect of his senanar.
In the mew ainivcri5ty life the moral characlerof the student
as also being transformed. The exercise of the privilege of;
election as developing a sense of TcspanETbHirj'. The habit of
independent investigation indnces self-reliance, and also dem
onstrates l"t there is more Joy amingled with the pain of crea
tive (bought, more excitement in the pursuit of a gcneraliza
tion than the most exquisite "college scrape" V can prodoce.
The relaxation of artificial restraints and penalties in class and
oat, has taught the student self respect; has developed in him
a sense of duty. In fact, a new academic philosophy is being
established. Tbe student prides himself on being a man or
woman, and feels that a fnasi civil contract regulates his rela
tions with the academic state. The university is one part',
he the other. He is led by the same considerations to be an
orderly, respected, and if passible an influential citizen of the
academic community, that lead him to seelk an honorable
and influential place in the civil commonwealth.
In conclusion have we not, the citizens of this little repub
lic of Beaming, special grounds for laust in future? Where is
thcre-a more fertile field of labor ; where a more promising
throng of youth -prepaied from the cradle by the influence
of the daring spirit of our western life for bold and aspiring
thoughts than our own state of Nebraslca?
Tbe principal orator of the evening was then announced,
the
J30X. ALLEN W. rJELI.
In educational matters our state has been highly fared.
When the Federal government grasped tbe outstretched hands
of the young Nebraska and crowned her with the preoga
tives of state-hood, th e wise men of tbe nati on who were called
upon lo minister at her birth, toot care to provide well for
the future of their charge. Tbe same act that enabled Ne
braska to become a state, bequeathed to her over 46,000 acres
of very rich domain for the use and support of a state univer
sity. The nation el geatcirosat was tttA exhausted h this
splendid gift, for at was soon followed by an additional be
quest of QD,'GC acres, maaldng, at the minimum price for
which these lands can be sold, an endowment of one million
dollars. The State has carefully preserved and guarded this
gift for the purposes for which it was granted. It has estab
lished and maintained this stale university. Faoan its own cof
fers with each necessary session of its legislature provision
has been madefor the support and growth of this institution; for
an increase in the number of its teachers; improvements in
its buildings; erection of new buildings; the purchase of new
and expensive apparatus, bucks and appliances. The Slate
has done all tMs mot grudgingly Ibut willingly. It has only
been necessary lo establish the moods, wants and aequire
ments of this institution, to have the same supplied with a ful"
and liberal hand.
Appropriations for capital extras-ions, for support of a fish
commission, for the enlargement f a reforms school, to cslab
Ilish a hospital for the insane or institution for the feeble
minded may have sometimes required an extensive lobby and
some log rolling. While all this anay have been true, appro
priations for the University hane stood upon another fooling.
If the legislators could see that the cbol meoded the aiii
asked for and that the same oeold be judicaously employed in
its upbuilding the aid has sever been withheld.
TMsaspre-emmeniSyastate inwtkartkaL It belongs to mo
city or section. It is the property ad the prie f the whole
great stale of Nebraska.
It is dependent upon the Stale aaol simply because of the
money at draws from the State treasury, but much anore for
the students who fill her halls, ior that sentiment which
prevails in every section within our Slate which would make
and as making this institution the crowning feature of our
great educational system. The most friendly relations should
and happily do exist between this institution and the stale
government.