Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - John Milton Gregory Memorial Convocation (1898) [PAGE 22]

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to the past tense it would not onlj read like In aI m \ ,,|,| actually be history, and the explanation would t < i omplct > [t is not stran however, that, measured bj the app;i nt p ibilitiej ind bj the fervid hopes ol th( origin I v rl n < an< | builders upon paper, rapid pn^n s wa not mad< l.u e developments were not secured, The wonder rathei is th undei it all and through it all o much was a i omplishcd, that < throughout there was a steady, unfalterin unbroken, und i ating, forward movement In essentials therewas no shifting of plans or ol purposes >\\u\ no let up in endeavoi \\ ith pei sistent adherence to the original outline ol organi ation and character, and with a sublime faith in the rtghtfulm md therefore ultimate success of these 01 inal propositions and pro\ isions, the great work, made unnecessarily and monstrously arduous, went right onward, Yonder was the goal high abov< intervening obstacles, and straight was the roughened road leading thereto, Final triumph shone out in the mental hori .on of the chief executive like a star in the I . M\^\ it al was accepted for guidance, And triumph came, not final and complete in Pi Gn ory's AA\ ; but encouraging side victories wen never whollj wanting and these, gaining in number A\\<\ kind .is time pa *ed, th< vantage ground, high and secure, became evident to th< dimmed eyesight of even prejudiced observe! From tin there was. there could be, no retreat, The bannei ol advanc ing columns floated proudly in the clearing and re oxygenated atmosphere, and the ringing call of the leadei was answered along the line by manj an encouraging cheer, Pi \o\ Turner, heretofore disheartened by what seemed a failure in the outcome of his strenuous and herculean labors, accepted an invitation of the Regent to v isit the place, .uu\ in his address at the laying of the comer atone of Universitj Hall gladh acknowledged his misinformation and misunderstanding, and proclaimed his re-enkindled hope and magnified conception of reali ed success, General Eaton, then Commii ioner ol Education at Washington, at the dedication of thi iame build ing, I December 10, [873, said; ,,() i the thirty- wu itate Institutions benefited bj what is known as the National Agricultural Grant, I coniidei this among thotuoJt