sistent efforts of its friends, and not by the
antagonism and opposition of its enemies; by making the most out of the
limited means at command, and not by abandoning the whole because the
means are not now all we could desire. That its management may have been
a matter of criticism with those who have known but little about it, or
who have taken little or no pains to investigate the facts, is not
strange; yet, for one, I am clearly of the opinion that--when all the
difficulties with which it has had to contend, are duly considered--its
management, thus far, has been all that any person could reasonably hope
for or expect; and more--that its officers and professors are entitled
to great credit and much praise, for securing under so much
discouragement, that degree of success which is apparent here even to
the casual observer; and claim of us, and are entitled to receive at our
hands, a proper and just recognition of their valuable services, and the
fidelity with which they have been rendered.

* * * * *

Farmers of Michigan! Be not led astray by such objections as I have
stated, or by any others of a similar import. You have here a noble
Institution, in faithful and competent hands--one that will soon be of
incalculable value to you--and one, too, that will reflect much credit
not only upon you, but upon the whole State. And although it may not now
be all you could wish or desire, yet when we consider what it now is in
view of the difficulties with which it has had to contend, we have a
sure guarantee, that it will yet be a success and will realize all your
reasonable expectations. Let me ask of you, in all earnestness and
candor, to give it now your warm, your hearty support, so that you may
not only assist in securing for yourselves and the public the great end
of its establishment, but that you may, by and by, safely, and without
the fear of successful contradiction, lay claim to the honor of being
among its early friends and upholders. There is something noble and
magnanimous in rendering substantial aid and support to a cause in the
hour of its weakness and in the time of its need; whilst there is
something not only selfish but mean, in stepping forward with proffers
of assistance, and with spurious claims of imaginary or intended favor,
when such assistance is no longer needed, and when the heat and burden
of the day has been borne by others; for, be assured, that the time is
coming