Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White, vol 1 | Page 7

conversations with President Roosevelt; message given me by him for
the Emperor; its playful ending. The two rulers compared.
PART III--AS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
CHAPTER XV
. LIFE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN--1857-1864
Early ideals. Gradual changes in these. Attractions of journalism then
and now. New views of life opened to me at Paris and Berlin. Dreams
of aiding the beginnings of a better system of university education in
the United States. Shortcomings of American instruction, especially
regarding history, political science, and literature, at that period. My
article on ``German Instruction in General History'' in ``The New
Englander.'' Influence of Stanley's ``Life of Arnold.'' Turning point in
my life at the Yale Commencement of 1856; Dr. Wayland's speech.
Election to the professorship of history and English literature at the
University of Michigan; my first work in it; sundry efforts toward
reforms, text-books, social relations with students; use of the Abb
Bautain's book. My courses of lectures; President Tappan's advice on
extemporaneous speaking; publication of my syllabus; ensuing
relations with Charles Sumner. Growth and use of my private historical
library. Character of my students. Necessity for hard work. Student
discussions.
CHAPTER XVI
. UNIVERSITY LIFE IN THE WEST-- 1857-1864
Some difficulties; youthfulness; struggle against various combinations,
my victory; an enemy made a friend. Lectures throughout Michigan;
main purpose in these; a storm aroused; vigorous attack upon my

politico-economical views; happy results; revenge upon my assailant;
discussion in a County Court House. Breadth and strength then given to
my ideas regarding university education. President Tappan. Henry
Simmons Frieze. Brunnow. Chief Justice Cooley. Judge Campbell.
Distinguishing feature of the University of Michigan in those days. Dr.
Tappan's good sense in administration; one typical example. Unworthy
treatment of him by the Legislature; some causes of this. Opposition to
the State University by the small sectarian colleges. Dr. Tappan's
prophecy to sundry demagogues; its fulfilment. Sundry defects of his
qualities; the ``Winchell War,'' ``Armed Neutrality.'' Retirement of
President Tappan; its painful circumstances; amends made later by the
citizens of Michigan. The little city of Ann Arbor; origin of its name.
Recreations, tree planting on the campus; results of this. Exodus of
students into the Civil War. Lectures continued after my resignation.
My affectionate relations with the institution.
PART IV--AS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
CHAPTER XVII
. EVOLUTION OF ``THE CORNELL IDEA''-- 1850-1865
Development of my ideas on university organization at Hobart College,
at Yale, and abroad. Their further evolution at the University of
Michigan. President Tappan's influence. My plan of a university at
Syracuse. Discussions with George William Curtis. Proposal to Gerrit
Smith; its failure. A new opportunity opens.
CHAPTER XVIII
. EZRA CORNELL--1864-1874
Ezra Cornell. My first impressions regarding him. His public library.
Temporary estrangement between us; regarding the Land Grant Fund.
Our conversation regarding his intended gift. The State Agricultural
College and the ``People's College''; his final proposal. Drafting of the
Cornell University Charter. His foresight. His views of university
education. Struggle for the charter in the Legislature; our efforts to
overcome the coalition against us; bitter attacks on him; final struggle
in the Assembly, Senate, and before the Board of Regents. Mr.
Cornell's location of the endowment lands. He nominates me to the
University Presidency. His constant liberality and labors. His previous

life; growth of his fortune; his noble use of it; sundry original ways of
his; his enjoyment of the university in its early days; his mixture of
idealism and common sense. First celebration of Founder's Day. His
resistance to unreason. Bitter attacks upon him in sundry newspapers
and in the Legislature; the investigation; his triumph. His minor
characteristics; the motto ``True and Firm'' on his house. His last days
and hours. His political ideas. His quaint sayings; intellectual and moral
characteristics; equanimity; religious convictions.
CHAPTER XIX
. ORGANIZATION OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY-- 1865-1868
Virtual Presidency of Cornell during two years before my actual
election. Division of labor between Mr. Cornell and myself. My
success in thwarting efforts to scatter the Land Grant Fund, and in
impressing three points on the Legislature. Support given by Horace
Greeley to the third of these. Judge Folger's opposition. Sudden death
of Dr. Willard and its effects. Our compromise with Judge Folger. The
founding of Willard Asylum. Continued opposition to us. Election to
the Presidency of the University. Pressure of my own business.
Presentation of my ``Plan of Organization.'' Selection of Professors;
difficulty of such selection in those days as compared with these;
system suggested; system adopted. Resident and non- resident
professorships. Erection of university buildings; difficulty arising from
a requirement of our charter; general building plan adopted. My visit to
European technical institutions; choice of foreign professors; purchases
of books, apparatus, etc.
CHAPTER XX
. THE FIRST YEARS OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY-- 1868-1870
Formal opening of the University October 7, 1868. Difficulties,
mishaps, calamities, obstacles. Effect of these on Mr. Cornell