appointment, and most faithfully, most successfully, did he discharge its high responsibilities.*

On the 24th of June, 1839, thirty-four years to a day previous to the presentation of this portrait by the committee of citizens, the commissioners met in Jefferson City, opened the bids, and awarded the great prize of the location to Columbia in the County of Boone.t

From that period to this, sir,-in private life and official station, in the Legislature and in Congress, in the Board of Curators and elsewhere,James S. Rollins has distinguished himself by self-sacrificing efforts, often chastened and made illustrious by rare statesmanship and eloquence, to lay broadly, deeply, and enduringly the foundations of a great University.

Services so faithful and long-continued, to promote the priceless interests of education, deserve honorable recognition at the hands of the people and of this Board. In testimony of our appreciation of these services we tender the Board this life-size portrait, an exquisite work of art and true to nature, expressing the hope, in the language of the committee, that it will have a place in the halls of the University, that his form and features, along with the fruits of his labors, may thus properly descend to the future youth of Missouri.

ACCEPTANCE BY THE BOARD.

ON motion of Mr. Conant of St. Louis, the communication was referred to a special committee, which was charged with the duty of preparing resolutions of acceptance. The following committee was appointed: A. J. Conant of St. Louis, J. F. Weilandy of Jefferson City, and J. W. Barrett of Canton.

* Extract from the journal of the County Court, p. 501: "Tuesday, May 28, 1839. Present: Overton Harris, Hiram Phillips, Matthew R. Arnold, Judges; Warren Woodson, clerk; John M. Kelly, deputy sheriff. Ordered by the court that James S. Rollins be and is hereby appointed a commissioner on the part of this county to meet with the commissioners appointed to locate the State University, at the seat of government, at such time as said commissioners shall appoint, for the purpose of being present at the opening and comparing of the bids made by the different counties, authorized to bid for said University; and in the event of said Rollins being prevented from attending and acting as

During the forenoon session of Thursday, June 26, 1873, Mr. Conant reported from this committee the following

RESOLUTIONS.

Resolved, That we accept with gratitude the proposed donation, as one eminently fitting and appropriate, and as commemorative of the life and labors of a distinguished citizen, who by his eminent public services, and especially by his earnest and untiring efforts in the cause of education, has endeared himself to the masses of the people, and has deservedly commanded the highest consideration of the members of this Board.

Resolved, That the formal presentation of the portrait be made at two o'clock, p. m. (this day), and that the Vice-President designate some suitable person to make a proper response on behalf of the Board of Curators.

The report was unanimously adopted, and it was ordered that with the communication it be spread on the records of the Board. The Vice-President (Hon. Elijah Perry) appointed Mr. A. J. Conant to respond on behalf of the Board.

RESPONSE BY A. J. CONANT.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: It becomes my pleasing duty on behalf of the Board of Curators of the State University of Missouri to receive from the hands of the committee of the citizens of Columbia this most excellent portrait of the President of our Board and the founder of this institution of learning.

In thus representing this intelligent body, permit me to say to you, gentlemen of the committee, that I speak the unanimous sentiments of its members, when I say that it gives us pleasure unfeigned to join with you in doing honor to one who, though dwelling among you, belongs not to Columbia alone, where his eminent social qualities have been so long enjoyed and appreciated, and the results of whose labors in the cause of learning are the rich heritage of the sons and daughters of the great State of Missouri.

I will not now detain you by dwelling at length upon the particulars of the great work which has occupied to a good degree the last thirty years of his active life: his long continued and successful efforts to establish this University upon a solid foundation, and for its subsequent support; his labors to promote the cause of popular education-exerting all his influence to secure liberal Congressional and State legislation, whereby millions of acres of our public lands have been forever devoted to educational purposes, and the endowment of institutions of learning in every State of the Union; nor of his ceaseless exertions, whenever and wherever his influence could be

brought to bear in creating a proper public sentiment in favor of a higher education among the masses of the people. The consideration of the particulars of these thirty years of successful work, which have been already so appropriately alluded to by my distinguished friend, Colonel Switzler, we will leave to that time and occasion when a fuller appreciation of their value may be expressed, and a more fitting tribute be paid to their author.

I surrender myself, therefore, the rather to those reflections which the peculiar circumstances of this occasion so forcibly suggest.

As I look at that full-length portrait of the esteemed President of this Board, painted by one whom I am proud to call my personal friend and professional brother, George C. Bingham, I am reminded of a fact that may not be generally known outside of a limited circle; the fact that both the subject of this picture and the artist have been, from early youth to manhood's ripened years, the warmest personal friends, and, next to his own kith and kin, each by the other has been the best beloved.

Together have they traveled life's pathway; side by side have they labored; contributing in the Legislature and out of it, as best they might, all the power of their united personal influence to promote the best interests of this great commonwealth.

In political life, in patriotic action, they have been one; and in sentiment and affection, like David and Jonathan, they have been united by ties most intimate and tender.

This portrait of the founder of this University, painted by the father of Missouri art, and the crowning work of his life in the line of portraiture— whose fame rests not alone upon this branch, for he has given to posterity those inimitable delineations of human character as presented in the history of the early political life of Missouri in those well-known election scenes — this portrait, I say, to us who are gathered here to-day, has not alone the interest of being a worthy tribute to a worthy man, but around it cluster the memories of the hard-fought battles of civil and political conflict, and the tender associations of undying friendship.

There are times, ladies and gentlemen, in the history of communities and nations when the materials for some great enterprise or conquest lie all around ready to hand but unorganized; some comprehending and controlling spirit enters on the scene, brings all into systematic and harmonious action, and achieves success or leads to victory. Forces which when isolated are inoperative, when arranged and concentrated exert a tremendous power. Such in a good degree has been the work of him whose portrait we place upon these walls to-day. Without an appropriate field and efficient colaborers little of course could have been accomplished; but the wise foresight which could comprehend the necessity and the possibilities of the enterprise, the faith and power to work were needed as well.

In the history of this University, two distinct periods are well defined: The first may be termed its infantile period, during which it struggled along under adverse circumstances, with little or no assistance from the State or any other outside source. The second period may be dated from the time when its administration was confided to the hands of its present efficient head, Dr. Daniel Read. Let no one understand me to utter one word of disparagement of the faithful services and eminent abilities of those noble men who gave their best years and best thoughts to the interests of this University; some of whom sealed their service with their lives and fell noble martyrs to the cause. They accomplished but little-how could they when the great State of Missouri looked coldly on as they wore themselves out in her service, and gave them not one dollar during the long weary years to aid them in building up an institution she herself had created, and was bound by honor and interest, and public policy and every consideration, to foster and sustain ?

At this time, then, when the period of its manhood began, under the leadership of Dr. Read, with increased resources and the hearty coöperation of an intelligent and liberal-minded board of curators, this University entered upon a sphere of usefulness the grandeur of which I venture to say none of us can begin now to comprehend; and unless it shall be so unfortunate—which Heaven forbid as to be hampered and circumscribed by partizan or sectarian influences and complications, it will soon become the pride and crowning glory of our educational system, and a potent element for good, not only in the civilization of the State of Missouri, but through the length and breadth of the valley of the Mississippi.

It is permitted to some men in our days to reap the fields which they themselves have sown.

We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful time.

The founder of this institution beholds to-day the rich fruitage of the vineyard he has planted. These, however, are but the first fruits that it has just begun to yield. Its measureless glory lies all before us, and its priceless blessings are for future generations.

While the foundations of this University were being laid and the superstructure slowly rising, what mighty events have taken place-what histories made, of nations convulsed or destroyed.

ments.

During these long years how many mighty and noble men have appeared upon the scene of action-men of splendid intellect and brilliant accomplishFor a time they absorb the bewildered astonishment of mankind; where are they now? The names of many are scarcely remembered among men. Like a meteor flash they shone and disappeared; or like a richly laden

caravan with flying banners they moved across the sandy plain and were lost to view, leaving no sign but bleaching skeletons to mark their track.

How different with him who contributes one new idea to the sum of human knowledge, or starts into activity otherwise dormant intellects; he rears for himself a living monument, and sets in motion currents of influence which cannot die with him, but must forever increase in their perennial power.

Our echoes roll from soul to soul,
And grow forever and forever.

In view of the well-directed efforts of the past, the glorious realizations of the present, the magnificent possibilities of the future, the founder and father of the State University of Missouri may well indulge in manly pride and thankfulness that he has been permitted to contribute so much to the wellbeing of his own and the sister States of this great valley, and with laudable satisfaction thank God that to him has been granted the honor to labor so successfully in a field so vast and promising.

Thousands have already gone out from this, their Alma Mater, who have here received those elements of education and those nobler impulses which have made them a power and a blessing in the widely scattered communities where they dwell. These are but the earnests of what is yet to be—the few drops before the copious rain. The old prophet, in ecstatic exultation, cried out as he beheld the vision of the coming glory:

There is a river the streams whereof make glad the city of our God.

In this figure he seems to reverse the order of nature. The picture is of a mighty river sweeping along in its majestic flow, and sending out continually smaller streams and rivulets, which water and bless the land and make glad its inhabitants.

This shall illustrate what I conceive to be the character of the work and influence of this University. Year after year young men and maidens come here to be disciplined and educated; year after year they return to their homes, educated and fitted not only the better to discharge the duties of the special path they have chosen in life, but also to become centers of beneficent power and influence in those communities where they may find their home; fitted not alone by the acquirement of scientific knowledge, but also by that broad development of the whole individuality which a generous cul' ture alone can give, to take a higher place in the realm of thought and in the sphere of personal influence, thereby refining and elevating all with whom they come in contact.

In conclusion, permit me in behalf of the Board to thank you, gentlemen of the committee, and those you represent, for this most acceptable present,