Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-25
NUMBER 1877.

youl nd about five acres of trees just right to set
out in place of the feeble, tame things they've
| stuck in there ~
They hav'nt called for any of the big rocks yo,,
| sent home from every mountain, and from James
river and Plymouth, and the Palisades of tho
Mississippi, and the Falls Of Niagara, which you
wanted to have made, according to the design,
into the grand tcrraced fountain Of Union. The
pond pasture Is covered over so thick with them,
that old grey can't get at grass enough there to
keep him alive; 30 we had to give up the lower
field TO him. We didn't like to do It, for the grave
| of Pomp, your old war-horse, ia there, and We
don't want old grey to think about being put nm
der ground yet awhile.
When you have extended your walk in the parks,
till you come where the apple of discord liz, as
some people call the Norman castor-box of knowl
edge, II you don't swear as General jackson dill
about the monster bank, II will be wonder "A
Major Downing would say---a If your dander don t
rize, il will be because you don't think It worth the
waste" But guess one of the first things you'll
do will be to send the castor-stand, pepper-boxe4
and all, straight back to England, and the paltry
$500, 900, more or less, that belongs to It, know
how deep was your modification when you heard
how your people confessed themselves as fit sub
ects of the scientific missionary work of one of tho
Heterogenii over the water, by accepting his
| third chance bequest--a mere handful of cop
| pers--sufficient only to set up a common school
as you do such things in all your country villages
Veal know that you will give, any day we ask
it. from your strong chest up in Fifteenth street
%, 900 900 to set up national institute, or real
worlds universitr, that would give the boys
who have the stuff In them, all chance to work
| it out, instead of going begging to the castor
| stand, and only one in q million Of them getting
| any chance at all.
You know very well, uncle, busy as you ara
vvft1 vnxv ltur
| ships, and railroads; your boys will do something
for all kinds of knowledge, even without these
great institutions. But give them chance with a
great one, such as yon have already got all planned
out--one in proportion to the breadth Of your
acres, and the height of your hopes and then see
what they will do. And be sure that somebody
don't twist up your plans and make 1t so exclusive
that it will be degrading to seek its privileges. See
to 1t yourself, and have the rules Of the place
written as clear as truth and cut deep on the door
posts, 80 that everybody may know all about it.
That Norman castorstand of knowledge Is an
ugly excrescence 1t is literally foreign substance
on your city grounds just as the institution is on
the chart of your system of affairs, and the sooner
1t Is cleared away, the sooner can your people do
as the Indian said: Walk through q whole day,
with selfrespect once MORE"
don't think the men In charge of the institution
could do otherwise than make It productive Of dis
cord. II had the worm in the bud and the best
men In the world would have found a harvest Of
blghted fruit after the best cultivation; and YOU
will have to make much allowance for their urfor-
tunate position of husbandmen Of IN estate so IN
herently defective.
1t is useless to conceal the mortifying fact, that
we were all good deal added, deceived, and self
deceived In the beginning of this matter and
finally little over-persuaded by the mixed-up
jingle of money, TO close eyes to all the facts
conccrning its origin, spirit and bearing and take
4 lnAa bt.n, AL 49,
without cost If there Is any doubt of II, here is
the test You know very well, Uncle, you would
not have accepted the testament-the bare idea of
the institution-wth all the egotstic conditions on
the part of the testator and those of humiliation
to you No. they were little too hard, and your
acceptance and administration of 1t had to be paid
for with little money---a little.
You never thought there was much merit in
giving, when the gift could be no longer used by
the giver, especially when Withdrawn In milf
from the true heir, and given to q stranger as was
the case with that little money gift. Your way is
to give your boys, who have worked well and
shown devotion TO you which could not be trans
ferred 10 old Engiand by milf, good farms during
your lifetime and Sec them well settled and di.
rected in their cultivation. And am sure you
never made II a condition Of the gift that they
should never call u their own, but carve on all the
bounds Of the farm, and chalk on every sack of
corn; "This Ia Uncle Sans farm, and this is Uncle
Sans corn" No. you always had the deeds made
TO them, just as you're having them made out to
the old soldiers sluz her visit 70 Mount Vernon
teens full OF the spirit of7e, and their hearts full
Of devotion to you.
AAyou desired, | have made all the Inquiries
about the Mount Vernon estate. Mr.. Washington
Is patriotic, and thinks II ought TO be yours
There's no doubt you can buy Il Of him the mo
ment you get home; and then, IL you think best,
you can establish your great University-your
agricultural common schooi-as you prefer to
name Il, at the consecnted homo Of the Father Of
American Agriculture and Independence.
Some people think agricultural school could
not be great scientific institution. But the more
think OF II, the more / like your idea. II Il
true one. just the one for university that would
comprehend instruction and investigation of every
kind, for all pature-every form and spirit Of ex-
stence-is the farm given TO mankind TO al keep
and dress" In learning TO do that perfectly the
perfection Of all science is necessary. And true
comprehensive thought, like that expressed In the
name you have chosen, when rightly considered,
win be seen to point the way TO large results.
The farm Is the only true home for family.
City and village homes may have many advantages;
but they lack the one thing needful-thc immedi-
ate relation-the presence and bene6cent smile Of
the elements that supply the nourishment Of life.
The first man was farmer, and man OF science.
He observed and gave names to the objects placed
on his farm FOR bis use, and under his care and
control. He examined and determined what were ,
good for food, and what we're noxious. This was
the beginning of science. To become perfectly
acquainted with tho farm--the world on which we
dwell; and those around Il In the sky, knowing all
they can furnish to sustain, enrich, and exalt our
lives-is 70 have the mastery of science.
You have thought OF all this and very justly con-
slider that the first and most consecrated profession
should have it's right--that il should have estab-
lished for Il tho first and grandest Institution Of
scientific instruction In the world and II should be
common school in the sense you intends school
for all seekers Of knowledge and for all kinds Of
knowledge,
We are all glad TO hear you have made up
your mind to attend to setting up this school your
self, soon after you come home, and Wen all vote
for you TO be President Of IL as long as you live.
But must tell you, Uncle, we've often thought il
strange that you neglected IL so long, being so
much Of farmer yourself; for we could not help
thinking how much you have done in the way Of
schools for the army and navy boys, teaching them
how to fight, and 70 be master OF other kinds Of
knowledge. No doubt you thought Il necessary,
that fhov cpuld dcfoud tho farn,a while the