Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/451

 SOME IMPORTANT EVENTS 397 bration, particularly the dedication of Haskell Oriental Museum and the laying of the cornerstones of the four Hull Biological Laboratories, have already been presented in the stories of those buildings. On July 4, the national colors were presented to the University by the First Regiment of Infantry of the Illinois National Guard and an oration was delivered by Professor Bernard Moses of the University of California on "The Condition and Prospects of Democracy." On the final day of celebration, Sunday, July 5, sermons were preached by Dr. George Adam Smith of Glasgow, Scotland, and Dr. W. H. P. Faunce of New York in the Con- vocation tent. But perhaps that which made the Quinquennial Celebration most interesting to the University was the presence of the Founder. Mr. Rockefeller had never before visited the institution. The students sang with great enthusiasm: "John D. Rockefeller, wonderful man is he, Gives all his spare change to the U. of C." and they were anxious to see his face. He was given a great reception, and by his modest demeanor, affable manner, and evident enjoyment of the celebration won all hearts. The Con- vocation was held in a large tent pitched in the central quadrangle. In connection with the exercises addresses of greeting were made to the Founder by Andrew MacLeish, Professors Northrup and Judson, and Henry L. Clarke, representing respectively the Trus- tees, the Divinity School, the faculties, and the students. Mr. Rockefeller was moved to respond, although he had consented to visit the University only after exacting from the President a promise that he should not be called upon to speak. Mr. Rocke- feller's spoken messages to the University were so very few that this one is given as reported. It is a great pleasure for me to be present. It is a very great pleasure to have had any part with you in this most important work. It is known per- haps to some of you that some eight or ten years ago an effort was made to establish in the city of New York an additional university. That question was under consideration for a number of years. At last it was decided that the place for the university was Chicago. I have never had any question since that time respecting that decision. It is due to you of Chicago, to your enterprising business men, to your public-spirited men, to say that in no other