In response to calls for a speech the President said:
My Friends—I thank you most sincerely for this pleasant tribute which I have received from these children. It is a curious thing, perhaps, that among the earliest towns that became familiar to me in my younger days was Benicia. In 1857, when the United States sent an armed expedition to Utah, and thence across the continent, I happened to have an elder and much-beloved brother who was a lieutenant in that campaign. He was stationed at Benicia Barracks, and his letters from this place have fixed it in my memory, and recalls to me, as I stand here this morning, very tender memories of one who has long since gone to his rest. I thank you again for this demonstration.
[BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, MAY 2.]
State University.
The President arrived at West Berkeley station at 1 o'clock and was met by the Berkeley Reception Committee, consisting of C. R. Lord, J. L. Scotchler, R. Rickard, E. F. Neihauser, Samuel Heywood, C. Gaines, J. S. Eastman, John Squires, F. B. Cone, Chris. Johnson, John Finn, George Schmidt, L. Gottshall, A. F. Fonzo, H. W. Taylor, and C. E. Wulferdingen. A procession was formed, and amid thousands of enthusiastic onlookers the party was driven to the State University. At the main entrance the President found the Faculty, the University Battalion, and about 1,000 other people awaiting his coming. Acting President Kellogg briefly welcomed the distinguished guest.
The President, standing with uncovered head in the carriage, spoke as follows:
It gives me great pleasure even to inspect these grounds and the exterior of these buildings devoted to education. Our educational institutions, beginning with the primary common schools and culminating in the great universities of the land, are the instrumentalities by which the future citizens of this country are to be trained in the principles of morality and in the intellectual culture which will fit them to maintain, develop, and perpetuate what their fathers have begun.
I am glad to receive your welcome, and only regret that it is impossible for me to make a closer observation of your work. I unite with you in mourning the loss which has come to you in the death of Professor Le Conte. I wish for the institution and for those who are called here to train the young the guidance and blessing of God in all their endeavors.