Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-06-27
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.
SPEECH OF HON. J. S. MORRILL,
Is rHH HousB oP RErHEsENrArivEs
jane g.. 1862

Is rHH HousB oP REPRESENTATIVES,,
jane g. 1862.
The House being in the Committee Of the Whole on
the Of the Union and having under consideration
tho bill donating public lands to the several States and
Territories which may provide colleges for the benefit Of
agriculture aud the mechanic arts
Nm MoRRILL, Of Vermont, said.
Mr. Chairman Il shall avail myself Of the rarliamen.
tary privilege to-day, " general debate to make speech
without the pepper and spice u party sectional poll
tics and yet hope not without interest TO the
House. I shall discuss which has heretofore
received generous support on the part Of Democratic
members, almost the undivided support Of the South
American members formerly called) and, with about
this side of the House mean the land college bill, for
Which hope 10 obtain the favor Of large proportion Of
tho present House
Mr.. Chairman, among all tue measures before Congress
since have been member there have been few.
thnst designed 10 maintain the credit Of these United
States which my judgement and heart have more aproy
ed ihan th. providing for the education of the
industrial clashes Of young Of county just In
ts benevolent in its scope demanded by the wisest
ccpnamy will add new securities to the perpetuity Of
republican institutions. Wrunging nobody, l. will prove
blessing to the whole people and for ages
The bill, one like Il, has passed Congress by
very large maori,ies. but unfortunately among other
sins which President Buchanan leisure repent
or s his veto upon bill Of this character Under
favorable auspices II is now again brought forward III
passes. cannot doubt II will pass. Mr. Sdell were Il
convenient for him to be here could hardly command
from the present patriotic occupant Of the White
House. a. he charged with having done former
occasiOn. With this Congress my humble services here
will terminate and the only favor have 10 ask of the
House 10 to vote upon this measure squarey upon its
merits. fits character challenges approval. II the times
than ever persuade to its adoption, then give
will wake into life the insrumentalties whereby
q solid useful, and practical education be had
within the reach Of thousands willing and expect
ing 70 work their way through the world by the sweat OF
Il true that some measures which we have been con.
sdorng. Of more less merit have thought II mop
Fortunate 10 press at this particular junctue of affairs
bat do not incnde this among them. Instead Of being
postponed 1t is that should have been initial
cd az least quarter ola century ago, and il had been
IN
than they and the absence Of all military schooling
would at the outset Of the present rebellion have been
Ices cnnspcu ,us In the loyal States Agriculture might
long this have felt its nhuence the statistics of the
c'unuy mi ht have been more abundant and valuable
the young might have had more Of fitness for their
tphce Of duties whether on the farm, in the workshop,
or IN The battlefield
Something Of military instruction has been inoorpora
ted In the bill in consequence OF the conviction Of its
necessity forced upon the attention Of the loyal States
by the history Of the past year. total uupreparednoss
presents TO many temptations even 20 foe otherwise
weak. The national school at West Point may suffice
for the regular army in ordinary years Of peace but is
wholly inadequate when large army Is 10 be suddenly
put into service. II we expect reduce the army
TO its old dimensions and again rely upon the volunteer
system for Defense each State must have the means with
in itself TO organize and officer its forces. With
such ayacm as that here onered-nurseries in every
Stateau efficient force would at all times be ready 10
support the cause Of the nation and the wholesome
respect which belongs to people whose power is always
equal 10 is prettnsons.
every state upon sure perpcu al foundation, accessible
20 an, but especially TO the sons Of toll where all the
dul for the practical aNocaona Of life shall
be taught where neither the higher graccs Of classical
studies that military drill country so greatly
appreciates will be entirely ignored and where agrcu
ture, the foundation Of all present and future prosperity,
may look for troops Of earnest friends studying its famil
lat and reconcile economies, and az last elevang II
that higher level where il may fcatessy invoke
with the most advanced standards OF the world The
hill tses the leading objects, but properly, think,
a'es 10 the States considerable latitude in carrying
practical details. Some Of the States already have col
tges started on the principles here ombodedas Penn
syyania New York Michigan, Maryland, Ohio and To-
wh--bu these nRer with avery incomplete staff Of pro
fsSors might be expected from the scantiness Of their
funds The aid rendered here will enable these
fully equip these institutions To found where il
may be thought wise To give military science something
Of greater prominence Some States perhaps may have
literary colleges than DC literally sustain
ca Part Of these may be easily transformed 10
onne within the terms here proposed Every State will
he the judge Of It's own requirements, and have no
doubt each will feel sufficient interest in the subject
make judeinus disposition OF the grant.
Against all speculation or squandrring this bill is
stngeniy guarded The entire fund is TO be held good
aud wholly devoted tn the object the States are
pay all incidental expenses, the first Of the
buildings and their subsequent repairs But it cannot
be doubted that in every State this charge will be main
ly nominal one. As many towns will be likely strive
70 seene the location Of these institutions within their
limits aud an active competition viii arise from the
tender OF lands aud buildings in order to obtain end
90 desirable.
II these colleges should be established it is to be hoped
the donation o lands, with little outside aid will
be sufficient al remote period TO offer instruction free
Of any charge for tuition, and that through connection
with iarns which may be attached INDECENT young men
by voluntary labor Of few hours each day may where
desirable. give equivalent, wholly In part for their
board Certainly the opportunity Of obt.ning sound
education adapted to the Of the individual will be
offered Areduced rates love Of useful labor will be pro-
NOTED and thus heA,h aud usefulness cannot but be ad
Nanced among those who otherwise might a life IN
uncutured ignorance or cultivated imbecty.
Not one in bfy Of those Young men who apply 10 us
TO he nominated a. candidates for the Military Naval
Schools be grathsd All these young men feel con
scous Of their ability TO do something honorable for
themselves aud their country aud their ambition takes
the direction OF these schools mainly because they know
not how elsewhere To obtain fitting education. The
numbers Of tais class will be greatly augmented
The ability ~ parents 10 educate their children will be
eurailed while the desire obtain education espee-
ally military one, will have been increased These
10 them large enough satisfy all reasonable ambition
There Is no appeal that comes resstlessly our
sympathy-and uere are few men here dare saw who
have not felt itas that Of bFigheyed boy, without
means, but strong in virtues and noble aspirations seek
ing the temporary aid that will enable him to achieve
liberal education Let the corner stones Of these land
cocgc be laid and this army Of lads. who soon
10 taks charge Of the institutions Of our country will
with a Tie enthusiasm Of faith and hope, thank God
Tho question What shall we do with the public
lands has long been one Of the most interesting poll
ta pfnoi'nf 70 Be solved In ordinary tunes
alton has been 20 Rht that the revenue obtained from
THIS source might have been reimbursed from other
sources without much complaint but nov we have not
only 10 curta expenses but TO enlarge the circle of
every revenue bill From the seeming vastness Of our
public lands. magnhod by all the wastcs maintains
waters, and destris II has been thought mpossble a.
oVec innate their extent or value and on the theory
that they were inc Ahaustble they have ai,rsy. s3
SOLD been held inoonsdcrabe pficescarccly moTe
than the hos or transfer and record of title IN Older
eounie'-and, when given away the mile squares ha,,
been bestowed with iA,ishness only tqualed ~ the
day u rudasm. The legislator. from hs dizzy height
has booked over all the broad area and like Of ul,
has hftu ioaay sAy to all with unappropfsted votes
all his viii l give thee II thou wilt fall down an,
worship ine Grants f1f railroads and military boun
ufs have been made with such loose abundance to De
sioI ihe guns aud more than satisfy all demands wheth
e. Of the hardy pioneer the velvet footed specuatur
Our bounty has proven dcluge rather Than refreshing
shower Al markets have been guiied until these Gov
eminent lageAaes, sNeaied and consumed Nv their owf
Eeckng fainess. have shrunk less than half Of the
original value and In part remain having confeftd
bfnfuis only ~ halves, 20 clog the operations II Coz
need.
The Government price for aud, except 10 actual set
uer ~. ave years, nov N 20 per acre, and n i
nv doar per II would be dearef than g. 80 wa
twenty sro 10 he settlers of Indiana and Illinois
onf ~ eap,f than any other laud " og4al value
D. bed unfer the most eDph'sned aud brral Govern
mea ~ lf world. Even in Australasia who're The, stl