SKETCHES BY THE HISTORIAN 



CHARLES JAY MONROE, 1861 



Mr. President and Brother Alumni: 



But for the thoughtful reminder of President Clark not long 

 ago, the program would probably have been my notice that I 

 was to be the historian, for, if I had known of the election, it had 

 escaped me. 



After considerable thought about the alumni, widely scattered 

 over this country and many parts of the world, and of the large 

 number holding honorable and responsible positions in similar 

 institutions or in allied work, I concluded after much worry and 

 consideration to throw the material aside and give a brief talk 

 about our Alma Mater, feeling that on this the fiftieth anniver- 

 sary of the College, when we expected a large number to return 

 to it, many, after years of absence, would be glad to have their 

 memories refreshed by recalling very briefly the history of the 

 inception, organization, dedication, growth, and some of the 

 work of this College. 



The College was pre-eminently a pioneer, created by pioneers 

 of Michigan, and it has been a leading pioneer in nearly every- 

 thing pertaining to its organization, building, administration, 

 plans of work, and courses of study. 



Its existence, like the university, normal, and common schools, 

 finds its warrant, if it needs any, in the ever-memorable ordi- 

 nance of 1787 where the need of knowledge is tersely stated and 

 the command to encourage it is definitely given. 



Michigan has intelligently and liberally heeded that command. 

 Its second territorial governor, General Cass, who held the 

 office from October 29, 1813, to August 1, 1831, when he re- 

 signed to fill President Jackson's appointment as secretary of 



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