USA > Iowa > Humboldt County > History of Kossuth and Humbolt counties, Iowa : together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 83
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dispensible and that in extending to us your aid, you will bless not only this, but succeeding generations.
"Shall I be thought extravagant if I say that the foundations of the Republic of the next century are now, more than any- where else, being laid in the basin of the Mississippi? Permit me to state briefly what is transpiring there. I observe in a report of the very interesting celebration at Plymouth, on the 4th, that a toast was drank to "the Great West." Is it at all certain that many of those who drank it understood the full meaning of those three words? People here read about that part of our common country, but fail to com- prehend its vastness. Why, I was asked by one of the ablest scholars and divines of New England, why I should be so de- sirous for the establishment of another un- sectarian college in the west, since we already had Washington University and Antioch; and when told that Humboldt was 400 miles from Washington, and 600 miles from Antioch, he replied "It is evi- dent that I do not understand the west." The single State of Iowa, where Humboldt College is located, though by no means one of the largest of onr States, embraces an extent of territory almost equal to the whole of New England; and though not yet thirty years old, as a State, it has now the same number of inhabitants as Mas- sachusetts, with her large cities and growth of 200 years; yet not one sixth of her fertile prairies have been subdued, and her vast coal fields have scarcely been touched.
"But, as already suggested, this state of things is not to continue much longer, for besides the yearly increasing number of
settlers from the eastern States, who add to onr population, is the still more rapidly increasing immigration from the old world, to our shores. As high as 40,000 a week have landed in New York during the present season. A large proportion of these foreigners seek homes on our prairies.
"Years ago when Daniel Webster was on his way to what was then known as the west, he saw so many emigrants passing through Buffalo, that he is said to have asked "Where can homes be found for so many people?" but when he came to reach the vast and then unoccupied prairies of Indiana and Illinois, he exclaimed, "Where shall people be found to occupy all these lands?" This question has been answered; the prairies he saw are all now under cultivation, and the tide of emigra- tion has swept on hundreds of miles be- yond.
"Then turning our eyes toward the Ce- lestial Empire, which is so far east, that it becomes west, there is seen a cloud much larger than the one beheld by the prophet, which promises to pour in upon us a tide of emigration the extent of which can not be computed, since it arises in the most populous portion of the world.
"These two waves are to meet and min- gle in the center of this continent. A great problem is thus thrust upon America to solve,one upon which depends the pros- perity, nay more, the perpetuity of our free institutions, the life of the Republic. To mould the character of these diverse elements, so as to build up an intelligent, virtnons, homogeneous commonwealth, is the most important work which can en-
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gage the attention of the patriot, philan- thropist and Christian.
"But in what direction shall we look for that wise, conservative influence, which shall make possible this achievement? The true answer comes quickly to the thought of those whom I address to-day, living as you do under the shadows of Harvard, and drinking inspiration from her ever flowing, ever growing founts of truth, and the answer you would give is the only answer which can be given, namely, a truly Christian education is our only salvation. It is not enough that we have common schools, there must be higher fountains from which they shall draw inspiration. A common school un- der the surpervision of an inefficient or an immoral teacher is a curse instead of a blessing. There must be institutions of a higher order, where teachers shall be tanght, for upon their character more than upon any conceivable amount of ki owl- edge, depends the true prosperity of the State. Nor can we leave this work to a single university in a State, especially in one as vast as the State of Iowa. Hum- boldt is nearly 200 miles from Iowa Uni- versity, and not one in five of our stu- dents would ever attend the university if Humboldt was to be discontinued.
"The influence of colleges (established and maintained independently of the State,) in awakening an interest in the subject of education is not duly apprecia- ted. It is a significant fact, and one which has an important bearing on this question of a number of colleges instead of but one in a great State, that a ma- jority of the students in attendance at all the colleges and universities, (with but
three exceptions in the United States,) live within 100 miles of the institu- tions they severally attend. All the in- fluences that tend to produce this result may not be readily recognized, but among them I would mention: 1st, The poverty of a large number of those struggling for an education, makes it next to impossible for them to go far from home. 2d, The very commendable desire of thoughtful parents to have their children as much as practicable within the reach of home in- fluence, during the critical period of their college life. 3d, And chiefly, the earnest interest awakened in education by the presence of a college. The abolition of all other colleges than the State Universi- ties, would be a calamity of the greatest magnitude, for it would not only deprive a majority of those now seeking an edu- cation of that privilege, but would also dry up numerous fountains of educational inspiration.
"I now come to speak of the religious character of western colleges. Grant- ing the indispensable service they have rendered to the canse of general educa- tion, and granting also, as I take pleasure in doing, that they are generally presided over by persons of high moral standing, they nevertheless lack that broad and un- sectarian character which the present age imperatively demands, which is the crown- ing glory of Harvard, and which consti- tutes the distinguishing characteristic of Antioch, Washington University and Humboldt. Besides the three institutions named, what other college is there in the west, unless it be Michigan University, where a student would not lose social and religious standing, by declaring himself a
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believer in the doctrines which have been taught here to-day?
"While we have reason to rejoice that the doctrines of election, reprobation and total depravity, are losing their hold upon the mind of the religious world, does not the present intellectual and moral condi- tion of society admonish us that there is no time to lose in presenting for accept- ance more truthful and beautiful concep- tions of the divine character and human destiny, if we would save to a useful and happy life the multitudes, who, having lost all faith in a religion of priestly au- thority on the one hand, and of a commer- cial scheme on the other, are wandering, they know not where, and are not only in danger of being lost themselves, but of dragging down with them the cherished institutions of Christian freedom? Does not this religious aspect of the educa- tional question challenge our most care- ful and prayerful attention?
"The religious thought of the age in moving on three diverging lines. One being that of the absolute authority of a priesthood claiming divinely appointed succession. This leads to Rome, and means the subversion of individuality, and the overthrow of religious freedom, to be succeeded by an ecclesiastical despotism, like that which planned and executed the massacre of St. Bartholomew.
"Another is that of a Pantheistic Fatal- ism, tending to a subversion of all belief in an intelligent Ruler of the Universe, and consequently to the overthrow of all re- ligious faith and Spiritual aspirations. Its most able and conscientious advocates walk only by the light that shines upon their pathway from behind, and conse-
quently the farther they go, the larger and darker grows the shadow which they follow until at last they wander in the darkness of a rayless night, which knows no com- ing morning ; while it suddenly and al- together subverts the religious and moral character of a majority of those who come under its influence.
"The third is Liberal Christianity, which tends to the practical recognition of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. Its triumph, means liberty of conscience, soul growth, charity, loyalty to the divine government-in short-the redemption and perfecting of humanity. "T'ill we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.' These religions and irreligious forces of the world, are marshaling for a sanguin- ary struggle, and the great and decisive battle, which in its influence is to reach onward through successive ages, is to be fought in our own country.
"Now, if what is called the west, is, as I have endeavored to show, so certainly and rapidly to advance in numbers and influence, that it shall soon become the heart of the Nation, the seat of empire, is it not of vital importance that the gospel of Liberal Christianity shall at once be ' So preached (there) that many (shall) believe?' Am I told that the favors be- stowed have been imperfectly appreciated, and that the financial, social and religious character of our people is very unsatis. factory, considering what has already been done for us? Every such charge made and proved, becomes an additional argument in favor of your extending to us the aid
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we ask. There was a time when ruffians ruled Kansas, and many western States were in league with the slave power; yet, through eastern influence Kansas was re- deemed, the west made loyal, and the Na- tion saved. We now ask you to help us make abiding the victories of the past, by aiding us in establishing a truly Chris- tian college, which shall be to the west what Harvard has been to the east."
The manner and spirit in which Mr. Taft prosecuted his work amid trials and triumphs, as also his faith in the final suc- cess of the school are clearly revealed in an address to the citizens of Humboldt, who met to greet him on his return home after an absence of eighteen months. The following extracts are from the address, as reported in the Kosmos of March 12, 1874.
"FELLOW CITIZENS :- I cannot in words tell you the happiness I feel in greeting you here this evening. The highest joy of the soul comes in doing good from motives high and pure, for then the soul holds fellowship with God whose name is love. Next comes the joy of home 'Sweet, Sweet Home.' Better than ever before do I understand the poets sentiment as he sings the charms of home. At no great removal from the felicity of happy home is that of true friendship. A friendship boru of our social and spiritual natures, nurtured by common wants and sympa- thies, enobled by high moral aims, and aspirations, and sanctified by consecration and sacrifice. This last named happiness is mine to-night. Such a meeting as this is not a novel event with na even here, where the foot of civilized man first trod so short a time since. But between this
and any similar meeting there intervened many eventful months during which time I have been an exile from the town in the prosperity of which I have so deep an in- terest, and from the home which inter- prets,to my heart, far better than any book, the deep meaning of the word heaven; a home which I would not exchange for the garden in which our first parents are said to have once lived. It is of these months and some of the work done in them, and the experiences which waited upon them that I am to speak to-night. * * *
* When in the au- tumn of 1872 I bade you adien, the field before me looked inviting and I went forth full of hope, notwithstanding the great burden of $20,000, then due to our creditors, resting upon me. But the brightness was succeeded by a darkness, fitly symbolized by the murky cloud which for days wrapped the city of Boston about like a mantle of night. [Reference is here made to the Boston fire.] It is well that I knew not the future when I left you, for faith is often better than sight to aid us in working cheerfully for God. *
"Many of those whom we owed were in great need of their money. I was over- whelmed with letters in which were re- vealed almost every shade of character and culture. Some were letters of Chris- tian sympathy, containing suggestions and counsel which, whether available or not, were invaluable as evidence of true and abiding friendship. * * * I received dunning letters, some asking, and some demanding money, before I had obtained any funds, and while I was traveling and living on money borrowed
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of personal friends. I had not even the means with which to buy an overcoat, though greatly needing one. At this critical time I received a letter, post- marked Providence, R. I., on opening which I found a contribution from Mrs. Anna Richmond, that noble Christian woman who will ever stand associ- ated with Edward Everett Hale and Oliver Ames, as pre-eminent among the founders and friends of Humboldt Col- lege. With that contribution I repaid the borrowed money, bought an overcoat, made a remittance home, and went to Pennsylvania, where by the counsel and aid of Rev. Dr. Furness, Rev. C. G. Ames, John Shippen, Joseph Priestly and others, I was able to begin to roll back the dark clouds of adversity which seemed to threat- en the overthrow of my chosen life work. But even then there was gathering another storm which was to descend upon my pathway in the form of the panic which swept over the commercial field in the summer of 1873. Under successive and protracted embarrassments, enthusiasm declines and the light of hope grows dim. In such times it is only by the light of that faith which is the heaven ap- pointed companion of a high unselfish purpose, that the toiling voyages can be guided. In the midst of the darkness and trial of those days I learned something of the significance of the poet's words when he said: 'It is to walk without the van- ished light that strength is needed.' The words of the Psalmist. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,' were food and strength to my hungry fainting heart.
"I could not entertain the thought of failure, for it would have visited serious
losses upon our creditors, destroyed the confidence of our friends, and greatly harmed the cause of Liberal Christianity in this vicinity. As to myself failure would have blotted out the brightest star of hope which has guided me in my western work. But thanks to the Author of all good, my mission was not a failure, for returning again to New York and the New England States I made sub- stantial progress in securing funds.
"The prenniary results of my prolonged labors foot up as follows. Fourteen thousand dollars in cash above all expenses, and $1,800 worth of choice books, besides many valnable pictures. But there are other advantages gained which cannot be computed in dollars and cents, little less important to myself or the college than those already named. In my work- ing, watching, waiting, I have more than ever learned to trust in God, and to know that all things work together for good to those who walk unfalteringly in the path of duty. I have also been brought into communication with many of the purest and noblest men and women of the present day. *
"And may we not believe that the atten- tion called to the college and its impor- tance, and the deep interest expressed for it by leading educators and business men may prove a source of future strength and growth to the institution.
"In a letter to-day received from Rev. Edward Everett Hale, he expresses a hope that he may at no distant day visit our school. Do we not all heartily join in an expression of the same hope.
"We are not to be disheartened because our beginning is small. Many of our
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great schools had much smaller begin- nings. A table drawer, two feet by three, held all the library of Brown's University for years. Benjamin Franklin subscribed £10 for the institution in 1769; and Rev. Morgan Edwards went on a mission to Europe for it, being absent two years and raising for it $4,500, which was considered a signal triumplı. Of subscriptions to Harvard, in its infancy; of sheep, cotton cloth, salt dishes and corn we have before spoken.
"The aid already obtained has been given because our school at its birth recognized Christianity, unincumbered by human forms or Church dogmas, as interpreted by Christ's perfect life, as the religion which above all others is to lead hu- manity home to God. In short its liberal Christian character is the chief source of its strength, and, whatever other advantages, furnished by older in- stitutions, may for a time be wanting, this fountain of inspiration must not be per- mitted to run dry, if we will retain that sympathy of our eastern friends which is indispensable to our success. *
"A few words to you fellow citizens who make up the home constituency of the school, and I have done.
"You have already begun to gather of the rich fruits which the institution is to yield through successive ages. 'The young people are being awakened to a new and higher life. Licenses, lectures, and access to a library are among the advantages now enjoyed. A broader charity is being developed in the hearts and lives of Chris- tians. If such fruits are so soon yielded who shall tell the sum of blessings which shall be gathered by coming generations.
Am I not then warranted in commending to your earnest, deepest sympathy, the insti- tution in behalf of which I have been an exile from home so long. * * Will you not devote yourselves to this glorious work in the future even more earnestly than in the past. It is worthy of our best efforts and our highest aims.
"When the weird charm and sacred sanction of coming centuries shall rest upon the institution, and thousands shall dwell where tens do now, and our names and work shall pass in careful and solemn review before those who shall then be, may they find abundant evidence that we comprehended something of the opportu- nities of our time and caught glimpses of glories of that distant day."
Mr. Taft met with persistent and often bitter opposition in his work both at home and in the east. The home opposition was referable to three causes: local rivalry, personal enmity and opposition to his religious teachings. That in the east was represented by two classes of persons; one who held that no school was needed here, and the other who were determined that whatever funds eastern people had to donate, should not be given to Hum- boldt College. The latter was led by Rev. T. J. Mumford, editor of the Chris- tian Register, a journal which up to the time of his becoming its editor had warmly sustained Mr. Taft.
The following editorial indicates the attitude of the Christian Register toward the college before Mr. Mumford became its editor:
"We again call the attention of our readers to the claims of Humboldt College, Iowa. Rev. Mr. Taft is still in New
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England seeking purchasers for house lots, and aid in other ways. We unite in endorsement which the National Confer- ence gave to Mr. Taft and his college, and believe that if he is sustained in his efforts we shall have a first-class institution in the great and growing State of Iowa upon truly liberal Christian principles. We regard the movement as second in impor- tance only to Antioch College."
The correspondence to which this oppo- sition gave rise is very voluminous, but the key-note to it is given in Mr. Mum- ford's first letter which together with the communication to which it was in reply are herewith inserted:
BOSTON, Feb. 26, 1875.
REV. T. J. MUMFORD:
Dear Sir :- A leading Methodist cler- gyman yesterday called my attention to your notice in the Christian Register of Bishop Haven's letter and my reply, which, until then, had escaped my notice.
So you did not find it in your heart to signify any preference between us, or ex- press a word of sympathy with me in my efforts in the west to establish and build up a higher and broader type of Christian- ity than the bishop represents.
I will not attempt to tell you how deeply I regret this apparent want of interest in a work so entirely at one with that which the Register lives to promote, leaving you to judge of my feelings, by what you may believe yours would be under like cir- cumstances. Had you have said nothing of the correspondence, I should not have asked your notice of it, however grateful to me words of cheer would have been.
But your having so noticed it as to give to our haughty enemies the impression
that I am wholly outside of the pale of the Register's sympathies, makes me feel that it is not only my right, but also my duty as a Christian brother, to complain.
Mindful of the high position of influ- ence which the Register holds among the religious journals of the day, and rejoic- ing in the great good it is doing, I will wait in hope the time when it shall speak of the missionary field which I represent, as it speaks of other liberal Christian mis- sionary works of the west.
Claiming to be your peer only in fidel- ity and consecration to the cause of liberal Christianity,
I am, with true regard, Fraternally yours,
S. H. TAFT. BOSTON, Feb. 27, 1875.
REV. S. H. TAFT:
Dear Sir :- The trouble is not so much in my "heart" as in my conscience. I do not know how much money you have al- ready received for your institution, but if the amount is as large as I suppose it to be, you have had your share of Unitarian contri- butions for such an object. Of course my judgment is fallible, but it must be my guide in the performance of my duties.
I don't think it is best to devote much space to the subject, but I am willing to print your note, with a reply of equal brevity. Yours Faithfully,
'T. J. MUMFORD.
In the course of the controversy, of which these letters were the beginning, a number of distinguished men, who were thoroughly acquainted with the questions at issue, came to Mr. Taft's defense, among whom appears the names of John E. Williams, president of the Metropoli-
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tan Bank in New York; Dr. Edward Ev- eret Hale; Dr. James Freeman Clarke, of Boston; and Hon. C. H. Waters, of Groton, Mass. On the appearance in the Christian Register of representations impeaching his integrity, Mr. Taft at once demanded an examination of all the trans- actions with which he had held connec- tion. Taking his own books, the secre- tary's records and all papers which could give light on the questions involved, he went to the east and asked those who had aided him, to make searching inquiry re- garding his management of the college finances. In response to his request, a meeting of the eastern trustees was held in Dr. James Freeman Clarke's church on March 29, 1876. In the course of his re- marks before this meeting. Mr. Taft said:
"In replying to the criticism to which I have been subjected, I have relied hereto- fore upon my general knowledge of the facts of record, and asked of my friends, as you will recollect, that they should wait for the specific facts and figures until they could be set forth in detail, after a thor- ough examination of the books. On find- ing myself summarily arraigned, and my integrity discredited, I at once passed the books into the hands of a competent ac- countant, requesting him to carefully classify the accounts they contained, and to make such brief and convenient sum- mary of them as would readily show to any one my financial relation to the col- lege. I put the books in your hands for inspection in whatever way you may deem best."
On the 12th of April, the trustees made a report in which they say:
"On the 29th of March last, a meeting of the eastern trustees was held in Rev. James Freeman Clarke's church, in Bos- ton, by request of President Taft, and a statement was made by him with refer- ence to the re-organization of the college, after which he placed the original college books in the hands of the trustees, with a request that they should be thoroughly ex- amined. A committee of three of the eastern members of this board were then elected to examine the books of the col- lege, and, having carefully attended to this duty, have made a detailed report, which shows that 'Mr. Taft has managed its financial affairs with integrity of pur- pose and with devotion to its best inter- ests.'
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