■^-^2 SPEECH OF HON. JUSTIN S. MORRILL. 



ially to the sons of toil, where all the needful science for the prac- 

 tical avocations of life shall be taught, where neither the higher 

 graces of classical studies nor that military drill our country now 

 so greatly appreciates will be entirely ignored, and where agricul- 

 ture, the foundation of all present and future prosperity, may look 

 for troops of earnest friends, studying its familiar and recondite 

 economies, and at last elevating it to that high level where it may 

 fearlessly invoke comparison with the most advanced standards of 

 the world. The bill fixes the leading objects, but properly, as I 

 think, leaves to the States considerable latitude in carrying out 

 practical details. Some of the States already have colleges started 

 on the principles here embodied, — as Pennsylvania, New York, 

 Michigan, Maryland, Ohio and Iowa — but these linger with a very 

 incomplete staff of Professors, as might be expected from the scan- 

 tiness of their funds. The aid tendered here will enable these 

 States to fully equip these institutions or to found others where it 

 may be thought wise to give military science something of greater 

 prominence. Some States, perhaps, may have more literary colleges 

 than are or can be liberally sustained. Part of these may be easily 

 transformed so as to come within the terms proposed. Every 

 State will be the judge of its own requirements, and I have no 

 doubt each will feel sufficient interest in the subject to make a ju- 

 dicious disposition of the grant. 



Against all speculation or squandering this bill is most strin- 

 gently guarded. The entire fund is to be held good, and wholly 

 devoted to the object, as the States are to pay all incidental ex- 

 penses, even the first cost of the buildings and their subsequent 

 repairs. But it cannot be doubted that in every State this charge 

 will be mainly a nominal one, as many towns will be likely to 

 strive to secure the location of these institutions within their limits 

 and an active competition will arise from the tender of lands and 

 buildings, in order to obtain an eud so desirable. 



If these colleges should be established, it is to be hoped the 

 donation of lands, with some little outside aid, will be sufficient at 

 no remote period to offer instruction free of any charge for tuition, 

 and through connection with farms which may be attached, indi- 

 gent young men, by voluntary labor of a few hours each day, may, 

 where desirable, give an equivalent, wholly, or in part for their 

 board. Certainly the opportunity of obtaining a sound education, 

 adapted to the wants of the individual will be offered at reduced 



