The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-08-17
Col. Owens Speech.

University, made at meeting at New Har-
mony. on Saturday, to form an agricultural
society for Posey county:
The farming community generally seem
to- be steadily increasing in prosperity and
10 be surrounded by the comforts of Home
and many Of the advantages Of civilization.
The benefits Of temperance, of wholesome
corporate laws, of increased educational ia
cilitics. are abundantly visible in this place
and may well afford great qualification
Evansville, too, | am informed, has made
rapid commercial strides, during the last
few years, and has rcaped incalculable bene-
fits from her Frce-SchOOl system.
Much, however, remains vet to be done,
and the present junctUrc, when Congress
seems inclined to aid, is a suitable period
for additional eXertiOn.
You are doubtless aware that by the pro-
visions OF an act, introduced by Mr. Morrill,,
OF Vermont, (but which has not yet passed
the Scnate) it is proposed that the General
Government should appropriate large
amounts of land TO be given to each State
in proportion to her population, for the eS-
Enlistment OF one or more Agricultural
Colleges. This would secure to Indiana
26O, 200 acres wiz: i'm the ratio of 10000
acres To each ef our eleven representatives
and our two Senators) which at the rate Of
( 25 per acre, would furnish capital of
S325,000. This amount cannot be used for
building, and must be put ont mt interest
Even at . per cent, we then have an annu-
IL interest of Sl6,2J0 90 which would lib
orally provide for the necessary professors
and for the purchase of books, apparatus
models, implements and specimens for in
struction, provided the State or individuals
can be induced TO erect the necessary build
inCs.
Indiana ought to have at least two Agri-
cultural Colleges, consequently an appro-
priation Of Sl5O.OOO would be requisite.
The yearly income would only be about
$4,000 for each Of the two colleges and
wOald require that Il charge of $50 per stu
dent should he made for tuition. Doubt
less, 10y good management, the college might
cultivate enough of food for its own con-
sumption, hence no charge need be made for
board; but a moderate charge, as above, for
tuition would probably render it more ap-
prcciated; aud, if the State desired some IN
dividuals TO receive instruction gratis it
might make an annual appropriation for
given number of students
Here let me ask. what our chief care is
when we desire TO raise good crops? j. il
not to select the best and soundcst scc.l. 10
remove all impurities, rs smut. &c. TO tend
tie growing plant, particularly in its early
stages, and thus remove all Stiflinas weeds,
trcShcn the soil, &c so as to give such an
impulse that the plant afterwards sustains
itself without further trouble so IL is with
youth II we 10 not carefully select sound
and jrdicious mothers for our children. we
Idast expect infants TO be placed in this
world uHlcr the Disadvantages of diseased
bodies and perverted minds.
With such prospect before them as this
large "ift, surely no State would hesitate to
appropriate $500 which, if judiciously
applied, would probably suffice TO complete
the college buildings OF Il single college nee
essiTy for boarding students and professors.
IL might require from $4,000 To S25,O
more 10 obtain and furnish the necessary
laboratory, lccture-room, &c. But even this
$4,000 would be a small sum for such
State as Indiana To appropriate for such a
purpose.
Ii we 10 not establish primary schools.
advanced schools and colleges. we must cx-
pect our sons and daughters to grow up with
rude manners unculuvated iutellects, per-
haps contaminated 10y bad habits, degraded
by vicious campanionShip. and need not
wonder to see virtue crushed in the bud
But where equal attention is paid, a. should
always bc the case, To- the physical mental
and moral training, then we NAV expect TO
raise up for our State virtuouS and emil igh;-
ened citizens, whose example may spread It's
influence over the whole country
We have some good schools and colleges;
but they are chiefly designed and adapted
for those who intend to enter one OF the
learned professions. These are. however.
already crowded, and there is a demand
arising for educational institutions. In which
young men, without neglect;ng the usual
branches OF learning, could add TO them the
practical study of scientific agriculture, the
theory aud practice of cngiueerinr. and OF
various useful mechanical branches, ut a
moderate cost.
Doubtless there are many excellent far
mers who have not gone through this train
ing so there are ripe scholars who never
frcquented classical halls. But if colleges
are rightly conducted, they would greatly
aid the majority of scholars and of practical
agriculturaliStS as well as mechanics. In
the early settlement OfOur country, this was
less necessary the virgin soil was highly
productive, even Unaided and under poor
tillage; but every year there is more ncces-
sity for the knowledge which teaches us to
restore to the soil the ingredients Of which
we have deprived it, especially those requir-
= ed for the products most congenial to our
latitude.
The price of labor, too, is advancing, and
, it becomes more necessary to construct and
adopt bOr-Saying machinery. Civilization
and luxury progress and we are no longer
satisfied with the corn, pork, coarse wool
and whisky of our ancestors; We desire ten.
: der mutton and beef the fullest wheat and
: other cereals fine cotton and wool, the bes
: fruits and most luscious vinous compounds
IA These Injuries, INDUCED in to excess, ar,
Injurious but in moderation are beneficial
and add fresh incentives to exertion and Ia
for for their production and possession.
!. But above ali, do we require institutions
: of learning, from which youths should ema
# nate with sound constitutions and habits o
! industry, economy, practical common sens
: and strict ideas of truthfulnesS and Justice
The present collegiate system seldom
prOteSseS to do more than force into tn
: memory the largest amount of what is ust;
ally denominated learning, such rs llnowl
9. edge of the dead languages and m0themat
les, excellent in themselves, but really form
- only tho Epv ocfuoI ,,v,.f;ooI l-nnv,-I