Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1868 [PAGE 164]

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founded this splendid nursery of freemen and enlightened patriotism. An educated man may become unpatriotic, a patriot may become perverted, through ignorance ; but wisdom and patriotism, hand in hand, are invincible. Enlightened patriotism is the steadfast palladium of human liberty. May the institution over which you are called to preside be enabled to illustrate and enforce this vital truth through all the years of glorious and prosperous peace which await our State and nation, is the sincere wish of Illinois' grateful son, RICHARD YATES.

HON. J. M. GREGORY,

Champaign, Ills.

GALESBURG, I I I . , February 29, 1868.

J. M. GREGORY, D. D.

MY DEAR SIR:—I have received yours of the 24th inst., inviting me to be present at the inauguration exercises of the Industrial University. I am much obliged to you for the invitation, and regret not to be able to accept it. The official duties of the members of our court make an almost unceasing demand upon their time, and hardly less when the court is not in session than during term. Allow me, however, to express my very deep interest in your noble undertaking, and my most earnest wishes for its success. Every citizen of Illinois who would promote the future greatness of the State, and secure the well being of his own children, should lend you a hearty co-operation. Illinois can hardly fail of a merely material prosperity. God has so endowed us with the means of wealth, that we can not but attain it, if the country remain at peace. But we need more than that, and must accomplish more, if not false to our duties. We should reach, on these prairies, the highest standard of modern civilization, by the most complete development of the individual man in every class of society. The means of the highest mental and moral culture should be furnished to every youth. To this end we shall have, in my opinion, no agency equal to the institution you are about inaugurating, if you are able to build it up in accordance with your plans. From an examination of your published report and schedule of studies, and from what I have learned of your views in conversation, I am satisfied you will, if you are properly sustained, create, in the largest and best sense of the word, a Utiiversity', where the youth of our State can be taught, according to their respective tastes, talents and plans in life, in every department of human knowledge, while the highest practical training will, at the same time, be given in agriculture and the mechanic arts—an institution resting on a broader basis, aiming at a wider usefulness, and furnishing a culture at once more generous and more practical than any other in the country. I wish you God speed, and am, Very truly yours, C. B. LAWRENCE.

TISKILWA, March 10, 1868.

HON. J . M. GREGORY,

Regent of Industrial University. DEAR SIR:—Permit me to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to attend the inaugural exercises, to take place to-morrow, at Champaign, and to express my sorrow that severe illness forbids me the enjoyment of the pleasure I had anticipated in visiting Champaign on this interesting occasion.