Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/134

 106 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO institution of learning, without a moment's hesitation they began to tell him that he must be its President. Mr. Goodspeed wrote : The only care I should have would be to see the enterprise committed to you. Dr. Northrup wrote: It is self-evident that you are the only man in the denomination that Mr. R. would think of having at the head of the proposed institution, and in this feeling and judgment all intelligent Baptists would heartily concur. Dr. Smith wrote : There is only one name to head the faculties of such a University as is proposed and that is your own. Mr. Gates wrote that Dr. Harper would be immeasurably the best man to organize such an institution and to lead it to prosperity and success. These letters were written in October and November, within forty days after word came that a new institution was in prospect. They are quoted because their authors were the only men who were at once informed of the new prospects. As fast as the circle of those informed of the plans widened the demand that Dr. Harper should lead the new institution widened. But at the outset a difficulty was encountered. Dr. Harper refused to consider the matter. In a letter of November 23, 1888, to Mr. Gates he says: At different times the brethren have spoken to me of acting as the leader .... and it has also been suggested to me by Mr. R. himself; but I have indicated clearly and definitely that I am now doing the work which I want to do that it would be a mistake for me to leave my specialty and take up another work of so general a character. On December 5 he wrote to Mr. Goodspeed : Gates and I talked Monday night from ten o'clock till half-past three in reference to the presidency of the new University. He insisted very strongly, but I think I have satisfied him in reference to the matter. Dr. Harper had already indicated to Dr. Northrup his disincli- nation to the presidency. On December 7, 1888, Dr. Northrup addressed to him an elaborate argument and appeal on the sub- ject. Dr. Harper's answer to this letter has not been preserved. Writing him again on January i, 1889, Dr. Northrup says: Your reply of December 1 1 showed so many and such weighty objections in your own mind against the acceptance of the Presidency that I lost all hope.