flourishing institution, and to erect upon its ruins another, to embody the same elements and be governed by the same principles as the one which we now glory in calling our alma mater. And all this for what? Simply because a misunderstanding has occurred between the Professors and students. Are such things of rare occurrence? We trow not. But whoever thought of appealing to legislative interference to uphold students in rebellion against their professors-to maintain insubordination against law and order. If the bill which your honorable body is now considering becomes a law, our professor's chairs must be vacated-our halls must be destitute of students. Now, the worst evil that is predicted to follow the most rigorous prosecution of the measures which have been commenced against secret societies is, that a large portion of the students will be compelled to leave the University. Now we say that if the University must do without students, let it be to maintain her laws.

She can exist for a time without students, but without her laws she cannot. We conceive that this measure will have an influence upon this University which will be felt beyond the settlement of the present difficulties, that will exert a controlling influence on the whole educational interests of the state. We ask your honorable body to consider well the educational system of our state before you take any action on the pending bill. We now have but one college capable of conferring degrees, and that one, if properly managed, must and will be supported, and with its present facillities it will soon vie with the oldest colleges in the Union. The whole educational interest, both sectarian and local is concentrated on it, and as long as the stability of its government can be relied on, that influence will stand by and support it. But if, by legislative interference, you destroy that confidence, that support will be withdrawn. Suppose this bill becomes a law, a complete revolution must take place in the government of the University, and a new code of laws must be passed, as one section of this bill provides, and it cannot be supposed that the new code will be so far perfect as, by its operation, never to become ob. noxious to any portion of the students at any other time. Then, to carry out the precedent which you will have established, legislative action must again be resorted to, and a new Board of Regents appointed, and a new code of laws formed. If such were the situation of the University at this time, would you be willing to send your

sons here to be governed by a code of laws upon which so little reliance can be placed? We think not.

But this is not the worst evil that would result from the passage of this bill. When the confidence of community in the stability of this institution has been destroyed, will not our religious denominations establish colleges in every part of the state and demand charters for them? And will not you grant those charters? Whence will your University derive its support when the Episcopalians have established a college at Grand Rapids, the Presbyterians at Ann Arbor, the Methodists at Albion, and the Baptists at Kalamazoo ? And if the action which is contemplated by this bill is taken, this most assuredly will be the case. If you have a doubt as to the final result of this measure, you have only to look to one of our sister states for an example. Were not the prospects of Ohio University once as flattering as those of Michigan University ever were, and where now is that once flourishing institution? It scarcely maintains its nume as a university, certainly not the qualities of such an institution. Carry out the measures, proposed by this bill, and the Regents, in a few years, will have to advertise our beautiful buildings and spacious grounds "for sale or rent."

In all the difficulties which have occurred, we think the conduct of the faculty towards the students has been characterized by the utmost good feeling and parental regard for those who have become obnoxious to the laws of the institution; that they have acted with prudence and moderation, and that both they and the Regents have done everything they could do, and still manifest a desire to do all that can be done consistent with the interests of the University, to bring matters to a speedy and honorable settlement; and we candidly believe that, without legislative interference, the whole difficulty will be amicably settled before the close of the present academic year.

Actuated by the kindest feelings towards our fellow students, the utmost respect and esteem for our faculty, and confidence in our present Board of Regents, and the firmest reliance on the justice and integrity of your honorable body, we have been induced to present this remonstrance, setting before you the facts in their true light, trusting that whatever action you in your wisdorp shall deem fit and

proper to take, shall be in strict accordance with justice and for the good of the University and of your memoralists.

G. M. BARBER,

JOHN W. McMATH,

CHARLES W. PATTISON,
JOSEPH W. BANCROFT,

JARED PATCHEN,

JOSEPH W. EDDY,

UZZIEL PUTNAM, JR.,

JAMES T. AULLS,

EDWIN W. SHAW,

SYLVENUS A. TAFT,

S. M. BARBER,

H. D. DUNNING,

B. ROBERTS,

ORREL I. CHAPEL,

P. E. BIGELOW.

Michigan University, Feb. 1, 1850.