130 
C. B. MICNKNER. 
was recognized which at that time was not supplied. This de¬ 
mand became imperative, and as a result, the New York College 
of Veterinary Surgeons was founded, a charter secured, and re¬ 
gular sessions for the teaching of veterinary science were insti¬ 
tuted and conducted. You all know the history of that institu¬ 
tion from its birth to the present. You have all seen and ap¬ 
preciated the causes which operated to make the incorporation of 
the American Veterinary College in 1875 a necessity. 
The restraints which were endeavored to be put upon the 
faculty while they constituted the N. Y. C. of V. S., have reacted 
entirely to the benefit of the student, and have given to us an 
alma matar of which we are justly proud. Our professors in the 
different departments are men who do not allow self and pecuni¬ 
ariness to deter them from doing all in their power to make the 
American Veterinary College the peer of any college in the old 
world. 
There is one man (and I speak of him, not out of any disre¬ 
gard to the other members of the faculty) whose untiring zeal, 
perseverance, industry and self-sacrifice commends to every stu¬ 
dent of veterinary medicine a lasting appreciation and hearty co¬ 
operation. I need not mention the name of this teacher , this gen¬ 
tleman, this friend. You, who, like myself, have come to know 
him, know how great he is in his devotion to veterinary science. 
Starting then as the graduates of an honorable and well appointed 
veterinary college, it behooves us to use every endeavor that by 
assiduous study and careful investigations we may secure for 
ourselves and our profession, a scientific standing worthy the full 
recognition which a calling so preeminently important and 
humane deserves. The future is freighted with victories, and re¬ 
plete with facts for those of us who go forth to work. To pro¬ 
gress is a law of nature,and for any to still stand, (which is synony¬ 
mous with retrogression) is fatal to us as individuals, and deroga¬ 
tory to the veterinary profession. There are certain relations ex¬ 
isting among members of this Association which should ever be 
held sacred. We owe it to the profession that our positions in 
life, our investigations, our opinions should only be actuated and 
obtained by motives which strive after truth. Petty rivalry, 
