The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-05-04

1t, and the law-making power alone can
judge Of that fact.
Believing that the grant proposed by the
bill under consideration is for the benefit
of all the States, the undersigned has nc
doubt ofthc power to make it under the
| Constitution.
The measure under consideration is in
no sense a donation to tho State. 1t will
relieve them from no taxation, but will
impose new burdens and further duties.
II merely makes the States trustees for
certain purposes, which they may const-
tutionally and efficiently discharge. The
United States will not part with its title
TO any land only upon certain conditions,
which are to be perpetual and binding
force. AS the United States originally
acquired thcirc title to much of the public
domain upon the stipulation that it was to
be disposed of only for the common ben
eft Of the States. SO it is believed that 70
grant has ever been made which will provo
to be moro strict compliance with the
terms than this now proposed, reaching,
as it will reach, not only all the States,
but major part of the people Of all the
States; reaching them too in their per-
sons and material interests, and reaching
them also for common benefit Of the pco.
pie. That our country needs all the aid
likely TO flow from a measure of such far
reaching consequences, the United testi-
mony of our agriculturalists in all sections
Of our country loudly proclaims; and that
it will prove wise and practical, the exper-
fences in our own and other lands, happi-
ly, already demonstrated.
Those who are to follow or superintcnd
the cultivation of the soil for livelihood,
know that knowledge on this subject is
power they must win to their support;
and those who arc merely amateurs find
the field Of instruction broad enough,
whether pursued for its usefulness or elc-
giant accomplishment, to satisfy men of
the highest order Of intellect.
Superior institutions, like those contem-
plated by this bill, literally endowed,
would impart an education different in
kind, but as various and useful as that to
be obtained at established literary univer-
sites.
Men with a family Of sons, not desiring
to crown professions already full, could
educate some, at least, to take charge of
the homestead, with tolerable assurance
that it would not at once be dissipated by
ignorance and folly, or to engage intclli.
gently in farming with laudable hopes and
exp, citations of ultimate reward
As tuition at least would be free, the |
sons in INDECENT circumstances
would find admission on equal terms with
hose having the most affluent fortunes
Happily all our educational, as well as
political, institutions are thoroughly i'm
oued with democracy, and we have no
divisions Of caste, such as
,mbarass tho progress of free institu-
ions in other lands. In our national
chools, and in our local schools, at West
Point and elsewhere, it is scholarship and
lot any title or wealth of family which Oh
aims pre- -eminencc.
We require these colleges 10 supply
teachers throughout tho eoun-
ry, to schools of lower grade, where
hey arc already called for, and where few
" none can be found. Tho greatest diff
iculty to be apprehended in organizing
uch institutions is in procuring, at the
resent moment, professors in America with
he requisite qualifications. Such men as
Liebig, Agassiz, or even
Downing, unfortunately, are not plentiful,
nd yet State agricultural colleges will re-
uire talent and culture.
Each State will have the sole control in
he creation and management Of its own
fund, and will therefore
dapt it to suit the wishes of the people,
Innate, and soil of its position.
There is no States which may not
,orthily bc entrusted with such an enter.
rise, and none which will not feel q just
ride in contributing, with her sister States,
, the common fund of soundlearniag rela-
ng to agriculture.
For these and other reasons the under
gncd respectfully recomends the passage
the bill under consideration.
D. s. WALBRIDGE.
concur in the Jews above expressed,
nd [ am in favor of reporting the bill
ith recommendation that it do pass.
HENRY BENNETT L.