Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/456

 402 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO of such a foe. How many a young man whom I knew in my school days went down because of his fondness for intoxicating drinks! No man has ever had occasion to regret that he was not addicted to the use of liquor. No woman has ever had occasion to regret that she was not instrumental in influencing young men to use intoxicants. So much has been said of late on the subject of success that I forbear making particular suggestions. The chances for success are better today than ever before. Success is attained by industry, perseverance, and pluck coupled with any amount of hard work, and you need not expect to achieve it in any other way. Citizens of Chicago, it affords me great pleasure to say to you that your kindly interest in, and generous support of, this University have been of the greatest encouragement to all those interested in its welfare, and have also stimulated others to contribute to its advancement. It is possible for you to make this University an increasing power for good, not only for the city of Chicago, but for our entire country, and indeed the whole world. The success of the University of Chicago is assured, and we are here today rejoicing in that success. All praise to Chicago! Long may she live, to foster and develop this sturdy representative of her enterprise and public spirit! Following Mr. Rockefeller, President Harper reviewed the ten years' history of the University, mentioning as the four factors in its success, its professorial staff, its many friends, its Board of Trustees, and the character of the student body. One occurrence at the Decennial Convocation accentuated a somewhat radical departure from the original purpose of the University. This occurrence was the conferring of honorary degrees on a group of distinguished men. Official Bulletin No. i outlining the Educational Plan and published before the opening of the University said: "No honorary degrees will be conferred by the University." To emphasize the statement it was printed in italics. No honorary degrees were conferred until 1898. The Trustees warmly approved the regulation and it had passed into a statute. President Harper, as time went on, changed his view and in 1898 succeeded in persuading the Trustees to change the statute. In September he brought in a recommendation that the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws be conferred on President McKinley. The Trustees were more than ready to honor Mr. McKinley, but they were extremely reluctant to begin the practice of conferring honorary degrees. They would not reject the recommendation, but they could not at once bring themselves to adopt it. They,