the heart and lives and work of their students and on the form and texture and life of this great University they helped to build. The historian of the University of Illinois will record their accomplishments. Today let us recognize their worth and do honor to these men who have rendered such distinguished service to the University of Illinois.

ADDRESS

HONORABLE HENRY M. BEARDSLEY, Class of 1879
Attorney, Kansas City

This great University, with its history and its present equipment, has not come by chance. It had its beginning in an epoch-making time. It had then, and has had from that time until this, the thought and service of men of unusual ability.

About the middle of the last century the movement began for the bringing of higher education to those engaged in agriculture and the mechanic industries. Looking back to those times, in the light of what has come since, the men who were then the leaders stand forth like prophets. Foremost among them was Professor Jonathan B. Turner of Illinois College. For years he went back and forth across this prairie State proclaiming everywhere the necessity of the new teaching. At state fairs, at the meetings of educational bodies of every character, and among men in business life, wherever he could get a hearing, he was there to proclaim his cause. As the years went by, the circle of those who understood grew larger and larger, until at last Congress passed the act which made possible these great state universities, granting an endowment out of the public domain for them. Quickly following, the Legislature of this State passed the necessary legislation, giving life to this University.

On that day in March, 1868, when its doors were opened, there was present, taking part in the exercises of the day, Dr. Newton. Bateman, then Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State, a man thoroughly in sympathy with the new movement. To Dr. Bateman, standing there, looking back into the past and reviewing the work that had been done, looking out into the future and giving voice to the hope that was cherished by all, Professor Turner seemed a great leader in the movement, and he so proclaimed him. It was not a narrow idea which had been his, not simply the bringing to the farmer and the mechanic opportunity for education in his calling, for this would not, in his mind, of necessity have elevated the man. It was his idea that the university so founded should be broad and liberal in its teachings, recognizing the needs of all the manhood and womanhood of the State, bringing education and culture into every walk of life.

The years passed by, and we were met in the drill-hall yonder to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of this institution. There were gathered here a great concourse of people. Professor Turner had grown old and blind. The paper that he had prepared for the occasion was to be read by his daughter, then a member of the Board of Trustees of the University. But, first, he himself was asked to stand, that he might be introduced to that proud audience. Near him at the time sat Dr. Gregory, the first President of this institution. His own thought of the past and the great present so over-mastered him that he arose in his place those of you who were here will remember it well-and looking out over the audience exclaimed, "Look at him! Look at him! You will not see his like again."

One of the first acts of the Board of Trustees called together at Springfield, Illinois, in the early part of the year 1867, was the selection of a President, then named Regent, of the University. It required. but a short time to select the man, and Dr. John M. Gregory was chosen. He had been educated as a lawyer, ordained as a minister; he had been a public educator, Superintendent of Public Instruction of the great state of Michigan, and president of one of its colleges. He was thoroughly in sympathy with the new idea. One of the first productions of his pen any curious student may find in the first annual report of the University, that of 1868. It was the report of the committee of which he was chairman, named to outline a course of study. Step by step a plan for the future was laid down, a plan which through the years since has been followed, only amplified and completed. And at the last, this report upon the college curriculum ended with an out-pouring of eloquent words like the closing words of some great oration. The writer could see through the years to come added dignity to agricultural and mechanical industry. To him there was being lighted a new light which should shine into the homes of all the people. And standing here today we must declare his words truly prophetic of the present and of our hope for the future. The work of the world must be carried on. It is not the province of education to lead men away from that work which lies at the very foundation of all progress. It must be increasingly true that men must find in this labor dignity and joy. It must be true, as declared by the great professor of constitutional law of the University of Switzerland, that in this life men ought to expect no higher happiness than that which comes from work well done.

And so he came, the first President, one of the great men of his day. How he moved among us, we of the older day know full well. We may forget the lessons of the class room, the facts of science which were taught us, the rules and theorems of higher mathematics, the intricacies of logic and philosophy; but the higher ideals in life, the

value of character in every enterprise, the elements which enter into and serve to make the highest type of manhood,-these things which were taught by him can never be forgotten. The University may multiply the number of its students, may increase the number and magnificence of its buildings, and as well all its material equipment, may broaden its curriculum and increase the facilities of education— and of these things we shall always be proud-but unless at the basis of things, through all the years, there shall lie the great principles of his teaching, the University will not accomplish fully the work it is set to accomplish. The need of the state is for the light which education brings into every walk and avenue of life. But most of all and always, she needs men and women; for the type of her social life and character, of her social existence, and even of her commercial and industrial life, depends upon the underlying character of her men and women, their views, beliefs and ideals.

He was one of those great men, calmly confident of a high and noble mission. He spoke as he did, like the prophets of old, because the truth demanded of him expression. I remember well toward the close of his life, sitting one summer afternoon talking with him. Those who were acquainted with him and heard him often know that there were few men of his time his equal as a platform speaker. Referring to the fact that there was great demand for public lecturers, he said that he had often been asked by those in charge of lecture courses for permission to place him in lyceum series for addresses in different parts of the country, but he said, "Thinking of the hundreds of boys and girls who had passed through the University when I was with them, and of the ideals I had tried to lift up before them, I could not consent that they should think of me as using what ability I had in this direction merely for pay." So through all the years of his life until the last, his intellect and his voice were at the service of those whom he felt he could best serve.

At the beginning he laid down the lines along which the life of the University ought to develop. His thought was far-reaching, his ideas were broad and progressive. They were to include here teaching in mechanic and industrial arts, teaching in literature and in the higher and fine arts. The whole field, and every part of it, was to be within the reach of those who came here as students. He was misunderstood at the first; he was opposed, and bitterly opposed, but with firm faith and great courage he held to his own ideals, and the triumph of the University is in large part the triumph of his work.

He was to us of those days, not alone the teacher, but the seer and prophet. Through his teachings we saw the things of life in their right relationship to each other. What was left, after his soul had taken its departure from the body, was placed yonder by the main. building beneath a simple mound. As Tom Brown sat there at Rugby

that summer afternoon, with the light stealing through the painted. windows, casting its color against the wall, himself leaning over the marble slab where they had buried the great teacher, Arnold, his heart overflowing, so we come and stand by Dr. Gregory's grave.

and power.

The days of the laying of the foundations passed. Dr. Peabody organized and established the work begun. The State grew in wealth Her commerce and her industries multiplied. She needed a great university. There came, in the fullness of time, a man fitted for this task. Andrew S. Draper was not only a trained educator; he understood public affairs. He knew how to appeal to the legislators and to the pride and ambition of the citizenship of the State. No labor was for him too great; no part of his task so difficult, but that by skill and patience and with argument and appeal, he would win his way. Funds necessary for greater things were granted. The student body grew; the Faculty and teaching force multiplied, and within a few short years the University of Illinois had come to be one of the chief educational institutions of our nation. Turn away for a moment, if we can, from all these things that are about us today, and think of the conditions here a dozen years ago. Only so can we comprehend the changes which have taken place. The present is so fixed and certain, we easily forget how it was won.

To those who were of the student body in those days of marvelous growth, and many more of us who were not, Dr. Draper was more than the college president. His sympathies were broad, and he took interest in individual men. He came out from the university life from time to time into the meetings of alumni, bringing with him the enthusiasm and hope of the larger university life. He let us into the secrets of the larger things to come,―already planned for; and with all he won our hearts. We too knew when his affliction came-knew of the unflinching courgae with which he met it, and felt him to be not only a wise president, a sincere friend, but as well, one of God's brave men. The work which Dr. Gregory began and Dr. Draper carried on so well, has fallen now into other hands. We cannot doubt that there shall come here, without loss of moral fibre or firm administrative grip, that riper and richer scholarship which to the coming years is possible. These men who have wrought at the head of affairs have not worked alone. The University of Illinois could not have come to be what she is without these others. There are two or three here who have had a chief part in this work from the beginning.

There is one in whose person the memories of the University life more center than in any other. He used to teach of trees and flowers and bugs. We always felt his heart was close to nature's heartyes, and close as well to the great beating heart of student life. It would not be at all like coming back to Alma Mater if Dr. Burrill were not here. One can scarcely believe the years have come and gone as

they have when one looks into his face and hears his greeting. He came out among us of the old boys and girls of the South West last year. His coming was like the coming of the south winds in the spring-time. Instead of the odors of grasses and flowers, he brought memories of the old days so mingled with the new that we felt ourselves not greyheaded men and women, but boys and girls again. He had us shouting college yells we had never known before. He was the same Professor Burrill as of old; only more so. He had known only a few boys and girls in our time-the old days he had known thousands since. He was fresher and kindlier for it all.

We knew, too, of the things he had done. Of his discoveries in his own profession of which the scientific world knew. We knew, too, that through all the years of the life of the University, it was he who stepped forward to take command when the chief commander's place was vacant; filled the place with dignity and grace, and then stepped back into his old place as the new commander came. May he be spared for many years to come, linking the old with the new, beloved of the alumni from 1872 down into the years of the century just begun. I saw today another, familiar to all who have been here, even from the beginning. His hair is whiter than of old, but his form is still. erect, and he moves among the college men and women commanding respect by the complete, exact fulfillment at all time of his duty. In the class room and in all public places he has insisted upon courteous and kindly conduct, and has himself always exemplified it. Professor Shattuck has been, as well, a balance wheel in the conduct of the business affairs of the University. In these times when we are privileged to speak of those to whom the University owes much, we must place him among the foremost.

There is another who stands between us of the alumni and those

others who have been governors and teachers. He is himself of us, among the earliest of the student body, first to step from that rank into the ranks of the teachers. Master of his own calling, he has always read widely in other fields. It has been gratifying to the student, in whatever college or department he may be carrying forward his study, to find in him companionship and a fund of information. He knew where further light could be had; knew always some advantage in understanding to be gained by side lights found in some other field of learning. In the college over which he has for years presided as dean, Professor Ricker has the respect of his colleagues. He has had the affectionate regard and admiration of the University students from year to year. We of the alumni delight to find him still here. He has laid many stones in the structures being here erected. He is now and shall be as long as he remains at his post, accounted among the chief of those who have guided and controlled, pushed forward and strengthened the University of Illinois.