MEMORIAL ADDRESS 



CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, LL. D., 

 President of Cornell University. 



THE MORRILL LAND GRANT. 



It was a remarkable evidence of the confidence and the composure 

 of our federal legislature that in 1862, just twenty-five years ago, 

 they were able to give their thoughts to the framing of that far- 

 reaching act, in commemoration of which we are to-day assembled. 

 It was at one of the most anxious, if not one of the darkest periods 

 of our terrible war. The first great organized advance of the feder- 

 al forces was just coming to a disastrous end. The Peninsula Cam- 

 paign in which were centered all the nation's hopes had taken time 

 for the most complete preparation in order that no repulse might be 

 possible. Fair Oaks, Gaines Mill, Mechauicsville, Cold Harbor, 

 Malvern Hill, names that even now send a shudder into thousands 

 of American homes, had followed in rapid succession, and our baf- 

 fled army took up its retreat on the second of July, the very day on 

 which, by the signature of the President, the act in which we have 

 now so much interest, became a law. Little did the people think 

 that at the very moment they were watching, with bated breath and 

 tearful eyes for every new sign of success or repulse, there was go- 

 ing forward to completion in the halls of legislation at the National 

 Capitol, a great act of statesmanship which in after years would 

 bring the people together, as we are assembled here to-day. 



And yet a great act of statesmanship it was. In the few moments 

 I shall detain you it will be my effort to show that its spirit was con- 

 ceived in accordance with the best traditions of our country, that its 



272142 



