3l6 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ^i/QO 



the principal seat of learning in Pennsylvania thus ceased; it having 

 continued for nearly thirty-seven years. The Provost Stille remarks, 

 in speaking of the University: 



" What he made it I have endeavored to show; to what reputation 

 and influence it might have reached had lie been permitted to remain 

 in charge of it, it is of course impossible to say. My own conviction 

 is that the University is suffering to this day from the HI effects of his un- 

 timelv removal. And certainly no one can doubt that had we now at its 

 head a man with something of his broad and generous cuhure, of his 

 wonderful capacity for organization, of his indomitable energy, of his 

 large public spirit, of his perfect faith in the future of his College, and 

 of his zealous devotion in advancing its interests — the University would 

 soon become what its prototype was before the Revolution — inter ignes 

 Luna niinores. 



" That he made some mistakes and many enemies in the methods he 

 adopted for doing his share in this great work, there can be no doubt. 

 In all his schemes he was thoroughly in earnest, and believed that he 

 always saw clearly the end from the beginning. Hence he became, as 

 all earnest men are apt to become, self-willed and impatient of opposi- 

 tion. Such men are not conciliatory, and, therefore, are often unpopu- 

 lar ; but we must remember that the real work of the world is after all 

 mostly done by them. Dr. Smith's prodigious energy and his large and 

 liberal spirit secured the confidence of the best men of his time, and 

 made him their natural leader. No better proof can be given of this 

 than the uniform support and sympathy he received from the Trustees 

 of the College through all the stormy scenes of his career. They felt, 

 no doubt, that they had to do with a live man, who, whatever might be 

 his errors, had his whole heart in the work before him, and hence their 

 trust in him never wavered." 



I 



Again the Provost says: 



'' Towards his enemies. Dr. Smith was unsparing, but as far as I can 

 see, never vindictive. He assailed those who stood in his way, not to 

 secure a mere personal triumph, or to gratify a desire for revenge, but 

 because he saw in them a malignant force striving to ruin some great 

 public interest, the success of which he had at heart. When fully 

 roused he was a most dangerous adversary. He forgot himself in the 

 cause with which he was identified, and he never hesitated to forsake 

 his best friends if he found them engaged on what he considered the 

 wrong side. He was a man of singularly frank and open temper, with- 

 out any disguise as to his opinions, and too fearless to think of the i)er- 

 sonal consequences of any line of conduct which he thought it his duty 

 to follow. It is easy to discover the failings of such men, but it is not 



