MEMORIAL DAY ADDRESS 



WASHINGTON GARDNER 



It seems eminently fitting that in the somewhat elaborate 

 program of exercises commemorative of the founding of this 

 institution of learning, whereby its history, its spirit, its aims and 

 accomplishments are sought to be more fully set forth, a place 

 should be given in honor of the heroes who went from its halls 

 to the service of their country. In the earlier, as in its later 

 years, the atmosphere of the College seems to have been sur- 

 charged with the spirit of patriotism. The first class was gradu- 

 ated in the year the war for the preservation of the Union began, 

 and of that class every member save one entered the federal 

 army. One-third of its members were killed in battle or died 

 of disease while in the service. In Civil War times the attend- 

 ance, as compared with the present, was small, yet the records 

 show that from the then student body there was in the Union 

 army a total enrolment of sixty-eight. As an evidence of the 

 high character and inteUigence of these sixty-eight young volun- 

 teers, thirty-one became commissioned officers. In proof that 

 the culture of the scholar and the valor of the hero are not in- 

 compatible, it is only necessary to state that of these student 

 warriors more than 13 per cent, were killed or mortally wounded 

 in battle, that others died of disease, and still others were 

 wounded, maimed of body, or broken in health, many of whom 

 have long since gone to premature graves. 



In the late war between Spain and the United States, Michi- 

 gan's quota of infantry was five regiments, and in these the 

 names of forty-three officers and enUsted men are found in the 

 student enrolment of the Agricultural College. Having in mind 

 this splendid record of patriotic service, may we not with pro- 



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