their arrant pride, that they have no science of Therapeutics, and that consequently they are ignorant of the very principles which constitute the highest and most precious good of medicine, the principles which teach us to cure diseases in a certain, safe and simple manner. Why then refuse to investigate our doctrines with the earnest attention which is due to the solemn business of relieving our suffering fellow-creatures from the cruel tortures of disease? We do not offer our maxims as a new medical system, but as a discovery, the discovery of Nature's plan of healing the sick. Surely no physician, not even a Professor of Pathology, need be ashamed of bowing his professional head to one of Nature's own laws. He might object to acknowledging the validity of a mere theory, a new set of doctrines concocted by human cunning or pride; but he certainly need not be ashamed of recognizing the teachings of nature as supreme, and renouncing even his favorite theories in the temple of her own eternal truths.

As far as liberality of sentiment is concerned I believe European Medical Schools are far ahead of the Medical Schools of our country. A University is presided over by a chancellor and Senate who exercise a supervisory control over the conduct of the students, arrange arrange the order of lectures and are generally intrusted with all the details of the internal administration of the institution, but they would never undertake to dictate to the government of the nation what shall and what shall not be taught in the University. To be sure, the case is somewhat different under a republican form of government from what it is in a monarchy, even in a constitutional monarchy like Prussia. In a monarchy the limits and prerogatives of the respective powers of the State are not nearly as nicely defined as they are in a republic like Michigan. Here we are a people by virtue of a constitution, and the law-making as well as the executive branches the government are what they are by virtue of this instrument. So the Regents; their functions and powers are defined by the constitution. That these powers are subordinate to the law-making power of the State, is, in my opinion, evident from the sim ple fact that the Regents cannot tax the people to the extent of a dollar for the support of their own institution. The Legislature holds the purse-strings, and consequently constitutes the real power of the State.

It must be admitted that so far our State University has been unnecessarily conservative, eschewing the progress of ideas, and repudiating with a more particular bitterness of feeling the heresies of Homœopathy which if once admitted within the conclave of the Medical Faculty of Ann Arbor, might prove a disturbing nightmare to the peaceful slumbers of its Professors. Nevertheless, we are prepared to do homage to the idea which underlies the creation of a State University like that, of Michigan; it is the acknowledgment of a solemn obligation on the part of the State that it owes to its citizens the means of preparing themselves for a life of honorable usefulness. The State is entitled to determine for itself what shall constitute an honorable and useful employment. If it does not see fit to regard the doctrines and practices of our school as a range of interests which are eminently entitled to the fostering care of the State, all we can do is to abide our time like patient worshipers of truth; to investigate and promulgate its precepts; to scatter its blessings among the sick, and to demonstrate, both by reasoning and practice, the divine origin and the superior advantages of our art.

But gentlemen, our Legislature has decided by a solemn enactment that Homœopathy shall constitute a part of the medical curriculum of the University. It is true the Supreme Court, in the recent mandamus case have not been able to agree upon an opinion, being equally divided in favor of and against the constitutionality of the law of 1855. Hence, although the court have virtually told the Homœopaths that the Regents cannot be compelled to appoint a Professor of Homœopathy as a member of the Faculty of Ann Arbor, yet the fact that no decision has been arrived at, leaves the original law on the statute-book as a valid enactment which, unless repealed by an act of the Legislature, the Homœopaths may, and undoubtedly will insist upon being carried out.

We have been divided in our views how this law should be executed by the Board of Regents. There is no doubt in my mind, nor is there the shadow of doubt in the minds of any man who has taken the least interest in this matter, that the law of 1855 contemplated the appointment of a Professor of Homœopathy at Ann Arbor. It seems improper to suppose that the Supreme Court quailed before the consequences of such a law being enforced in opposition not merely to the Faculty at Ann Ar

bor, but to the Allopathic Fraternity generally; it is not likely that gentlemen possessed of so much legal learning, and so much acumen as judges, were afraid of arriving at an unanimous decision in our favor. Yet the dread of seeing the chairs of the Medical Department vacated by its present allopathic incumbents and seeing the Department revolutionized by being turned over to the Homœopaths, will yet for a long time to come, operate as a mighty bugbear against us. Of course we shall continue the good fight and prepare for another battle before the next Legisla

ture.

But is it likely that the next legislature will take the same view as that which we have sought to enforce by an appeal to the Supreme Court? That body may reason in this way: We will leave the Ann Arbor faculty alone, but at the same time we intend to give the homœopaths a fair opportunity of teaching their doctrines and educating a class of young physicians worthy and capable of practicing them. Suppose the Legislature, acting upon such views should have spontaneously decided by an act of what might have seemed to them just and fair legislation, to establish a school of Homœopathy in some desirable locality within the limits of the state, outside of Ann Arbor, in (Detroit for instance, or Saginaw, or Grand Rapids,) and to assign to that school a full corps of able teachers, with all the appurtenances and requirements for an efficient course of lectures, would we homœopaths of the State of Michigan have declined to accept the proffered boon? Most assuredly we would not. Supposing the Legislature should have organized this school as "The Homœopathic Medical Department of the University," would we have objected? It is my firm belief, gentlemen, that we would not. Now then, things baving taken the course they have, let us consult together as friends and brothers whose hearts beat warmly and in unison for a great cause. We have tried the radical plan of insisting upon the literal fulfilment of the law. Shall we try this plan again? Our Supreme Court judges have decided that they will not aid us in this work by their judicial concurrence. Even if we make allowance for the difficulties with which they were beset in making up their minds, and for the strong claims with which the interests of the present Medical Depart ment of the University may have appealed to their sympathies; yet these gentlemen have shown, when deciding against the

-Sept.

constitutionality of the soldiers vote during the late war, that their judgments cannot be biassed by the fear of disappointing popular expectations or wounding popular prejudices, and that hence it would be unreasonable to suppose that they will render a judicial decision in our favor in case should we insist upon the law of 1855 being carried out to the letter.

It is a difficult thing to uproot prejudice by the brutum fulmen of the law. To conquer the prejudice of the South we had to wage a bloody and expensive war. Yet their prejudices in favor of slavery were no less legitimate than are the prejudices of allopathic physicians in favor of their calomel, their lancet and their empirical methods generally. To conquer these prejudices is part of our mission. We profess to be in possession of the true science of healing, and the possession of a new truth begets a desire to propagate it. There are two ways of accomplishing such a result. In my humble opinion the true way is not the way of force, but an appeal to the reason. This is undoubtedly a slower, but at the same time a more satisfactory and humane method, and one that is much more fruitful in good results. If we seek legislative aid for the organization of the Homœopathic Medical Department of the University, it will undoubtedly be granted to us. In claiming a Professorship at Ann Arbor, the Legislature may be disposed not to see our true interests in that direction; but in simply claiming to constitute the Homœopathic Medical Department of the University, our claims will undoubtedly be regarded as just and proper, and our rights will be secured to us.

If we could address a class of three or four hundred students every session, and send forth a hundred well educated and intelligent graduates at every commencement, how long would it be before the gentlemen of the other side would be willing to take their hats off to their former professional opponents? Gentlemen, the dogmatic pride which now separates allopathic prescribers from the homœopathic school, will sooner or later have to yield before the progress of the age; diatribes like the one that was published some time ago by the Professor of Pathology of the University of Michigan, will rebound against their authors, overwhelming them with shame and earning for them the contempt of all men of sense and fair dealing.

I would not urge you by a single breath to adopt my views

which I offer as the suggestions of wise moderation. If the physicians of our state insist upon fighting it out on the line indicated, I intend to help to the best of my ability; but my advice to you is, before instituting any further proceedings, to counsel with one another, to deliberate carefully and without prejudice or passion, and to be ever mindful of the words of peace and brotherly forbearance: "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench; he shall bring forth judgment unto truth."

Colleges, Societies, etc.

HOMEOPATHY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.

This matter is not one of mere local interest, because the introduction of Homœopathy into the University of several other States depends upon the success of our efforts in Michigan. If Allopathy succeeds in excluding our practice from the connection with the University which we strive for here, the movements of our friends in other States, and the cause generally, will be retarded. Were it otherwise we should not have devoted so much space to the subject.

Our July article expressed pretty decidedly our dissatisfaction with the course pursued by a few members of the Michigan Institute at the meeting at Ann Arbor. We objected to resolutions passed and committee appointed, as not representative of the Institute, or the Homœopathic Profession of Michigan. The correctness of our statement was emphatically denied. Prof. Hempel and others, desiring to ascertain the views of all the physicians of the State then issued the following circular :

TO THE HOMEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

DEAR DOCTOR:-The Supreme Court having decided that the Regents cannot be compelled by an act of the Legislature to appoint a Professor of Homœopathy in the University at Ann Arbor, or to establish a Homœopathic Medical College on the University grounds, or to allow it to be so established by outside parties; and it having furthermore became apparent that the Legislature