, 1866-11-07
A Vlen for the Colleges.
i CHICAGO, November :, 1851,

kA-AANAo NAk4~o41 44itAAE.
have read with some interest the articles
which have appeared in the Tribune con.
corning the appropriation for an Agricultural
College. Now, while colleges have perhaps
separated themselves too much from the
people, and hare estimated too highly their
position and influence in the community, 1t
still does not become any class Of men to
speak disrespcctfully Of them or represent
their interests IS opposed to those OF the
common people who have never entered
college walls. The benefits Of college, Us
ofa common school, should be reaped BY the
whole community, and just SO ta7 as the
professors and students arc separated from
the whole community into privi-
le.cd class, they become "mouk-
ish" and Of no worth, If not
nuisances, Instead Of lcsscning the syn,pa.
thy which the masses hare for colleges, I
think it should be greatly increased, till
whatever light these higher institutions Of
learning hive to dispense is made common
property, and tue good sense Of the people
correct the visionary notions Of mere book
WORMS
Now, with all due Difference to the TR1.
BCSE, think there Is force in the leading
idea put forth by President Blanchard. The
growing glory Of the school system In the
NH1lNA EtukE3 II lAak II GQuCAliOn
to everybody. There had been learned men
and great institutions Of learning before IN
England and on the continent, but they were
far removed fIem tue common people and
there was little sympathy between them. Like
tho extremes Of wealth and poverty, the
universities Of Europe were surrounded with
FRthc deepest Ignorance. On this new conti-
ncnt VIC have learned better way. What Is
The pEofoundest learning, if shut up In a
cloistcr and not dilluscd: The great need OF
the day is to make practical book learning.
Does any one doubt that if every farmer in
the State were familiar with The leading
principles Of the science Of agriculture he
could put forth his labor more wisely aud
proatably than he now docs? The difficulty
Is that practical men do not sufficiently
value book learning. and, on the other hand,
educated men do not sufficiently value prac-
tical knowledge. The highest efficiency re-
suits from combination Of the two,
Now, how can this fund be used to reach
the greatest number Of farmers In the State
and most widely awaken IN interest in, and
not believe this will be accomplished BY pen
ming their funds into great State instftu-
tion. It would reach only few who lived
near, or those who h2l money or friends to
send them There would he no general i'd.
tcrcst in 1t or knowledge Of what 1t was
doing. and then, us . rule, these State in
stitntiens do not succeed in anything but in
sinking large appropriations. Such IN insti-
tuition cannot b. brought into existence in
one or five years ard be worth anything,
With any amount Of money at Its command.
II must grow aud get str1ncth with time
several COLLEGES IN the State have each their
friends, and that degree of yiEor which they
have acquired in their struggle for life. They
huvc also some facilities for teacling most
OF the sciences which would be required in
~ agricultural college. Now; if the benefit
new 1rofessorship which might be given to
each college, 1t would be clear gain, and We
would lie clear gaiu, aud VIC could have such
Instruction without delay. The science OF
agriculture would be put along with the
other sciences, md It's pursuit raised in i'm
sions. Not only 50. but students in the other
branches would be benefited by lectures and
instruction which would be given by the ag-
rienltural department. Thus the advantage
would be mutnal.. In this way the knowl-
edge Of the science of agriculture wonld be
more general interest would be awakened in
It.. Young men, farmers sons, who went to
college would sec this branch Of learning
rniacd IN dignity and put on a level with the
professions. Every man In the State that
was interested or acquainted with auy col
| legc would have his attention in this way
sulucB- Int turned to tue science Of agzicuf-
turc. 49,.
Now will not this be rs likely to be accom-.
plisllcd by the establishment OF such ITO.
tessorthip In each Of our best colleges, uu-
der the complete control and direction Of
tue State, as Iii the establishment Of
clamor for fresh appropriations Of
funds? There would be the healthy rivalry
Of institutions, and the liability held over
each Of iorfetttng funds II not used for tic
purposes for which they were appropriated.
All The funds which each college now has
would be secured to make success Of this
new department, and there would be m on.
portnnity for every farmers son In the
State TO learn the science which would up.
ply to lis daily business In life.
l lnvc no space to discuss the question
whether the Intention Of the bill Itself would
he carried ont by such Use Of this appro.
printion, and other questions which naturnl.
ly ar5sc. give the above Us the view OF one
ofthe common people. L. $. II.