Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1884 [PAGE 67]

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71 urease of wealth for its future constant and healthy growth. The sum realized from such a levy would be about six times as much as the institution now asks of the Legislature; the rate would be about one-third of the tax which Michigan raises annually for a similar purpose. The conclusions to which I would lead your thoughts are these: 1. The State ought to furnish an avenue by which any youth within its borders may find his way to the best education which the advancement of human knowledge can give, and which the progress of human civilization can apply towards its farther development. I do not say that this should be entirely free of cost, but it should be at such a cost that any really earnest and active person may secure its benefits. The fundamental items of outlay are necessarily so broad and so large, while the diffusion of the benefits is so general, that the whole subject becomes practicable in its best and completest form, only when the enterprise is ordered, and controlled, and supported by the State. 2. The State of Illinois is in honor bound, by reason of its acceptance of the bounties of the United States government, given it in the acts of 1818 and 1862, to maintain at least one institution of learning of the highest character, scientific and literary, practical and useful in any sphere. This she has never adequately done up to the present day. 3. The provision which this State has made, with the assistance of the communities of Champaign and Urbana, and of the county of Champaign, have been wisely and carefully husbanded and applied in the erection of buildings, their provision in the appliances necessary in educational work, in the establishment of workshops and laboratories, libraries and museums, observatories, farm equipments, and other items too many to be now enumerated—and there is here planted a vigorous and healthful tree whose growth has been continuous, and should be gratifying to those who know at what cost of money, and time, and brain, and patience, and undying hope such enterprises succeed if they succeed at all. This foundation, well and firmly laid, is broad enough and deep enough for the most perfectly organized and complete superstructure. Upon this foundation, from motives of economy, in making most useful the expenses already incurred—from motives of philanthropy, in providing for one of the most necessary wants of a great and growing State—from motives of honesty in carrying out to the full the solemn contracts entered into—from motives of honorable and worthy State pride, in that it ought not to be outdone in any noble undertaking by her sisters who sit by her border, and, with less ability, have thus far shown grander results in this direction—from motives of true patriotism, in that the noblest preeminence of the State is secured only by the highest attainments and the grandest developments of her citizens; from every impulse of lofty aim and high purpose—on this foundation the State should construct the University of the State of Illinois. It should so foster its growth