26 



tions even before they have finished their studies. This enables 

 them to enter more promptly into prosperous life ; and many young 

 ladies may be glad to know that it all tends to encourage early mar- 

 riages. 



These colleges are thoroughly American, and for all time will be 

 entrusted with work annually increasing in its importance. Our arti- 

 sans are to contest with the skill and wealth of many nations, and 

 our farmers are sorely pressed by the competition of agricultural 

 products which cheap and rapid communication pushes to the front in 

 all markets both at home and abroad. To successfully withstand 

 this formidable rivalry, our countrymen need, and it is hoped will 

 here find, that fundamental instruction which is founded on the wid- 

 est and best experience of mankind. 



Descendants as we are of the heroes who struck the blow for the 

 National Independence of '76, proud of the production of a written 

 Constitution which is esteemed by the enlightened statesmen of the 

 world as the foremost form of free government hitherto devised by 

 man, cheered by the mile-stones which mark the progress of our first 

 century, we may well feel, as Webster felt, that "the past is se- 

 cure" ; but Americans, however, cannot afford forever to have no 

 other ambition than to reach the goal once occupied by a people, 

 however distinguished, of past ages. For "to whomsoever much is 

 given, of him shall much be required," and the New World has been 

 given to us forever as an inalienable possession, where we are not 

 only to bridge great rivers and tunnel mountains, but to "make the 

 wilderness and solitary places glad." All the centuries of the future 

 are in reserve, under Providence, for the men of this great continent 

 to make their own history, and, it is to be devoutly hoped, in some 

 measure, to eclipse and take the lead of other nations, old or young, 

 in worthy achievements in all the arts of peace, and in all the glories 

 of manhood's ripest culture. 



