22 Proceedings of the Inauguration 
enduring because of this, than if it had been engraved on tablets 
of bronze and exposed to the noon day sun. 
I was very glad of one thing. This old copy brought again 
to light the names of the men who had banded together in the 
year 1867, in accordance with the new requirements of the State, 
to found anew and confirm what had already been done in the 
erection of this institution of higher learning. A glance at those 
names would seem to show that it had been well, wisely, and 
nobly founded. The list contained such names as Sampson Tal- 
bot, Marsena Stone, Judges Ewart, Hoyt and Bishop, E. E. 
Barney, E. Thresher, and others very like them. They were 
some of the wisest, noblest and most God-fearing men of this. 
State, and I will venture to say of any state in this Union. They 
have all passed away save one. Dr. Henry F. Colby, so long 
pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dayton. Already he is 
near the point of death. At the time he penned his name he was 
young, very young for one occupying so important a position. 
Would tliat he could be with us today to present the copy of the 
Charter which originally bore his name. Our cup of joy would 
then be full. Another of those honored names was that of Mr. 
E. M. Downer, long an honored resident of this village. He 
passed away only two or three weeks since. 
