Whatever  secret  opinion  any  one  might  have  entertained  as  to  the
preferableness  of  another  location,  they  never  would  in  the  natural
course  of  things  have  caused  any  serious  suggestion  or  stir  about  re-
moval. The  vague  talk  years  before  of  removing  to  Buffalo  in  flush
times  in  consideration  of  a  magnificent  endowment,  had  no  significance
whatever.  It  is  a  simple  historic  fact  that  those  who  became  the  most
interested  in  the  measure  had  a  short  time  before  its  origin  uttered
the  most  glowing  eulogy  upon  the  present  location.  "  Its  healthiness
and  beauty,  the  refinement  and  intelligence  of  its  citizens,  and  cheap-
ness of  living,  and  other  things,  made  Hamilton  the  very  spot  for  a
great  Institution  of  learning.  Its  original  selection  was  especially
providential."  No  wonder,  when  the  project  of  removal  transpired
and  came  abroad,  it  took  the  whole  denomination  and  the  public  by
surprise,  except  those  who  had  been  let  into  the  secret.  It  is  proper
to  say  just  here  parenthetically  that  we  never  supposed  that  the  peo-
ple of  Rochester  had  anything  whatever  to  do  with  the  origination  of
the  removal  enterprise.  This  child,  without  a  recognized  parentage,
was  carried  thither  and  secretly  presented  to  thera.  It  seemed  a
goodly  child,  and  they  adopted  it,  without  anticipating  the  "  sea  of
troubles  "  which  finally  obliged  them  to  turn  it  out  of  doors.  The
project,  however  originated,  came  before  the  public  with  SKLch.  prestige
of  novelty,  grandeur  of  proportions,  magnificence  of  promise,  and  em-
blazonry of  bright  names  of  "  good  men  and  true,"  that  many  leading
minds  of  the  denomination  were  interested,  charmed  and  enlisted  at
once.  Some  of  the  ablest  and  most  accomplished,  the  most  powerful
in  position  and  influence,  and  personally  the  most  honored,  revered
and  loved,  urged  it  forward  by  voice,  pen  and  resources.  It  is  a  fact,
however,  capable  of  illustration  in  every  sphere  of  moral  action,  that
the  merit  of  a  cause  is  not  necessarily  guaranteed  by  the  personal  ex-
cellence of  its  advocates.  The  best  men,  personally,  have  sometimes
been  the  earnest  advocates  of  causes  intrinsically  bad,  and  have  vain-
ly thought  they  were  doing  God  service.  The  cause  seemed  good  to
them  at  the  time.  The  idea,  as  flrst  put  forth,  took  this  form.  The
"  beloved  Institution  "  was  to  be  taken  up  bodily  with  its  Faculty,


0  HISTORICAL   DISCOTTBSE.
