LECTUEES AND ESSAYS READ AT INSTITUTES. 367 



Wisner, Blair, Crapo, and Baldwin much is due in the past and present; to 

 lion. Hezekiah G. Wells, of Kalamazoo, who has stood by it in all these 

 years of battle, and with his pen, and by his influence, exerted in its behalf at 

 all times, and most effectively in the present decisive struggle, all honor; to 

 Hon. J. Webster Chilcls, of Washtenaw, and the members of the State Agri- 

 cultural Board, thanks for their effective vindication of its merits, and 

 unflinching friendship in its behalf ; to Hon. Benjamin L. Baxter, of Lenawee, 

 a member of the House, and to Hon. George Willard, of Battle Creek, editor 

 of the Battle Creek Journal, both regents of the University, who have, by all 

 honorable means, advocated the claims of this institution to the support of the 

 State, grateful recognition is due ; to the citizens of Washtenaw, Oakland, 

 Livingston, Calhoun, Eaton, Bay, Jackson, and other counties who have sent 

 iu petitions on short notice in favor of the college and its present location, the 

 just meed of praise for carrying out honest conviction for justice and right." 



March 31, 1869, the Detroit Post, which had advocated removal, in an 

 editorial written by Mr. Conover, one of its editors, and more recently rector 

 of St. Luke's church, Kalamazoo, after speaking of its advocacy of a removal 

 to Ann Arbor, says: "But the action of the State government has been so 

 sweeping and provident that the Agricultural college may be looked upon as a 

 permanent institution, unless it contains some inherent defect that no money 

 nor State aid can supply. We by no means undertake to say this, and we hope 

 the citizens of the State will so avail themselves of its privileges as to put its 

 success beyond peradventure. Since the State has determined to pay for them, 

 they ought not to be neglected. It would be folly not to seek as large a return 

 as possible from the investment, and we have no hesitation in urging a cor- 

 dial support of the college, and to invite a renewed interest in it, and in its 

 capabilities for educating and developing a strong, earnest, intelligent farm- 

 ing community." * 



The Free Press and most of the other papers of the State became at once 

 the supporters of the college, and the institution has no reason to find fault 

 with the attitude of the press of the State towards it, but has on the other 

 hand reason to be grateful for frequent favors. 



It was quite time the question of location was settled. Biennially the col- 

 lege would open in February, and for weeks after it was a question whether the 

 college would live or die. Students would become impatient of the disheart- 

 ening suspense, and sometimes pack their trunks and go away. The discussion 

 of location has taken this historical sketch years on beyond where a chrono- 

 logical order would have taken us. But it finishes one of the mooted questions 

 of the college for its first ten years. 



It is proper to say, also, that courtesies and good will have constantly been 

 extended to the college by the University of Michigan. The present eminent 

 President, in particular. Dr. James B. Angell, has more than once addressed 

 its officers and students, and has always manifested a sincere gratification iu 

 its prosperity. 



THE SITE. 



The Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society selected for the 

 college its present site, three and a half miles directly east of the State capi- 

 tol. Michigan avenue runs from the capitol straight to tlie college entrance. 

 The grounds, including a park of a hundred acres, consist of six hundred and 

 seventy-six and a half acres of land lying on both sides of a small stream 

 called Ked Cedar River was approved for the selection of the site. 



