Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Ag Building [PAGE 52]

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Hanna and Foraker* He wai an able, intellectual, cultured student of excellent spirit, manner and address* i C has hadt as I o believe*, a thorough, sound education. He was such a young nan at any hone or college might be proud to send into the world. As it hnppeucd| he had during* his college courae been

very nuch interested in the military dni I, having occupied about

every position in the battalion from private to adjutant, and

had, in the absence of the commandant, during the Spanish-

American war, had charge of the battalion and taught military tactics. Suddenly he had two careers open to him* If he chose the one, the government would see to it that he suffered no real pecuniary need throughout his life time. His abilities are such as reasonably to assure promotion* He nitfht even hope to occupy a poaition in the army second only to the President of the United States. If he chose the other career, and at that moment there was no immediate opportunity open to him, he must seek a career, where there was the ever present but ever unpleasant duty ol providing bread and mea L He was up against (thia is not slan^f) one of the great probleraa of life*

He, of bourse, sought advice, but, I believe, he decided finally

for himself• He does not lack in bravery, and I do not believe he had any special sentiment concerning the agricultural life* He had to decide between the art of war and the art of peace* He chose the art of peace* Did he choose wisely? It maybe of some significance to note here that he subsequently entered the government service, but it was in the Department of Agriculture and not in the Department of War* This, then, shall be the theme for a brief time thia after* noon, l>ot*s the opportunity in Agriculture furniih a worthy career? I shall discuss it in two aspects, vis., the character of the education, which a course in agriculture offers and the opportunity for one so educated* Nor is the subject to be treated from the agreeableness of the occupation* The beauty of sitting under your own vine and fig tree shall not enter into thia die* cussion. No one will claim that the occupation of the President of the United States is a particularly pleasant one. but every man is ready and anxious to admit, if not by word at least ht deed* that the position is worthy of the ambition of any American born cltUen. Whether a man likes to wade around in the mud in the pure air rather than to walk on the carpet in the