An introductory lecture delivered in the hall of the medical department of the St. Louis University, November 4th, 1845 / by M.L. Linton.
- Linton, M. L. (Moses L.), 1808-1872.
- Date:
- 1845
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: An introductory lecture delivered in the hall of the medical department of the St. Louis University, November 4th, 1845 / by M.L. Linton. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![[»] would there be wanting a Liebig or a Berzelius to oonduot it. The»« would soon be of native growth and not have to be imported. Such a school, sustained at a trifling expense, would add to the wealth and glory of St. Louis. There are private gentlemen who could found and sustain it by their individual munificence. In so doing they would confer lasting benefits on mankind and erect for themselves an enduring monument of fame. Students would flock to such a school from all parts of the country. Our artisans and farmers, to say nothing of our lawyers and physicians, would derive from it lessons of wisdom and utility. The ladies would learn the principles of the science, and teach them to their children with the first rudiments of education. It would be said in distant lands—St. Louis patronizes the science which is at present the hope of the philosophic world. But I repeat the proposition that such a school would pay in dollars and cents. This is the main argument which all can appreciate. I know it is fashionable in public addresses to underrate money; to call it sordid dust, and abuse those who seek to acquire it. We constantly hear lecturers pr?ting about the. improvement of the mind, the fine arts, &c;—decrying the pursuit of wealth, and holding up to ridicule and contempt the utilitarian spirit of the age. These persons are generally, however, in great need of money, and it would seem that they underes- timate its value in order to acquire it the more easily.— The almighty dollar, they exelaim, is all that is cared for in these degenerate times!! Now the older I become the more nonsensical do such tirades appear to me. The world has always loved money; but in general it is not the dollars but what the dollars can command, that is coveted. The pur- suit of wealth is a laudable pursuit. Were it more general there would be less misery under the sun. It is the freehearted liberal soul who cares not for the dollars, but foolishly spends them, who suffers in age and sickness for the common necessaries of life, and who entails want and perhaps crime on his children ; and it is the man who is called by fashionable lecturers a worshipper rf the almighty dollar, to whom the eyes of these unfortunate beings are turned for relief.—No, we should strive to make money; money will enable us to provide for our household and render comfortable and respectable those whom Provi- dence has committed to our charge. It will enable us to advance the cause of religion, science and humanity. We can make it the light Ariel of our wishes, to execute our bidding on errands of love and mercy —to feed the hungry, clothe the naked—minister to the sick; and we know what is written.—As you have done unto these, you have done unto me. Alas, a few dollars will do more for them than all our sighs and sympathy. If I had the money I could establish the chemical school myself. Away with the balderdash about the almighty dollar and the utilitarian spirit of the age. Let us follow the good advice of the IVt](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21137146_0011.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
