SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 355 



ings exemplified on the farms of the state. It is an inspiring 

 record, and one that will be more greatly honored a century 

 hence than the present generation can realize. 



Let us all hope, Mr. President, that future generations will 

 be as faithfully served by the faculty and managers of agricul- 

 tural colleges all over the land as the present ones, and there will 

 be no fear that the agriculturalist will not develop with his 

 opportunities, and become more of a factor in the industrial 

 progress of the Union than he is now. 



Sincerely believing that I have not overstated, or even ap- 

 proached the magnitude of the services rendered by the farmers' 

 colleges in the Union, I need not repeat that I regard them as 

 worthy of all praise as the best examples of the true dignity of 

 labor that is honestly performed and as exemplifying its great 

 value in building up the character of American Citizens. 



All honor, therefore, to the M. A. C, the Plymouth Rock of 

 American agriculture, whose teachings developed pioneers able 

 to make plain the great truths of Nature and their relation to the 

 highest development of modern agriculture. To yourself, Mr. 

 President, and your able assistants and advisers, I feel it only 

 justice that I, who know what has been accomplished, should 

 bear testimony to their unselfish and patriotic services in advanc- 

 ing and developing the agriculture of the state. 



This is not for the public, but to make clear to yourself and 

 every member of the faculty how much I appreciate their 

 services. 1 



Sincerely yours, 



Robt. Gibbons 



Detroit, Mich. 

 May 28, 1907 



1 Permission was later given for the publication of this letter. — Editor. 



