AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 467 



who would otherwise have no such inspiration, and sending them out 

 into the world better fitted to cope with its difficulties, and better citi- 

 zens in every sense of the word. 



I have been led to say these few words from what I deem the proper 

 interpretation of the act whereby we have accepted so liberally of the 

 funds of our national government. When we accepted those funds, we 

 accepted a trust for which we must account. The industrial classes of the 

 State of Michigan form a vast army: farmers, mechanics, miners, laborers 

 of all kinds. The schools of the State from kindergarten to university 

 are open to them, but it is to this institution that they have a right to 

 look for an opportunity to gain that practical knowledge of things which 

 can only be acquired by coming into actual contact with the appliances 

 of the farm and garden, and shop and laboratory. This institution is, it 

 seems to me, essentially for them. 



The keynote of Dr. Abbot's character was simplicity, and genuine, 

 honest modesty, and he left an indelible impression on this college. It 

 is useless to ask what the influence of a Kedzie and a Beal has been. 

 The present faculty will, I venture to say, go a long distance with me in 

 this plan for a great intermediate school. The Board of Agriculture 

 have always been close friends of the people and of this college, but spite 

 of it all. the tendency has been toward an expensive course, and toward a 

 competition with the university. It is to the alumni that we must look 

 to help bring it back, if such a plan is desirable. We are of the world and 

 in it, and we can keep in closer touch with the needs of the people than 

 any one more directly connected with the college. Does it not seem to 

 you that we in Michigan need an institution, which shall, without the 

 slightest false pride, attempt to give to the young men and the young 

 women of this State a practical modern education of head and hand? 

 This calls for no revolution, it simply means that from now on the ten- 

 dency shall be back to simplicity and down to the needs of the students 

 for whom we are organized. If the tendency has been to increase ex- 

 pense and enlarge the course, let us get back to the cheaper and to less 

 ambitious methods. Is it not possible to realize the dream of its foun- 

 ders, of a great, low priced, high grade school of applied science for the 

 children of that vast army, the industrial classes? 



