SPEECH OF HON. JUSTIN S. MORRILL. 127 



government we have proved, notwithstanding some, "in time of 

 temptation fall away," that patriotism is spontaneous ; but doubt- 

 less many valuable lives would have been saved in the progress of 

 this plague-spotted rebellion, had we not so long assumed that 

 military discipline was also spontaneous. If ever again our legions 

 are summoned to the field, let us show we are not wholly unpre- 

 pared. These colleges, founded in every State, will elevate the 

 character of farmers and mechanics, increase the prosperity of 

 agriculture, manufactures and commerce, and may to some extent 

 guard against the sheer ignorance of all military art, which shroud- 

 ed the country, and especially the North, at the time when the toc- 

 sin of war sounded at Fort Sumter. This latter view becomes 

 more important from the suggestive discovery that in any grave 

 controversy the old Governments of the world are not our friends. 

 Our obituary is the only service for which they manifest any alac- 

 rity. They would see us humbled. Clearly our growth is an eye- 

 sore to aristocracy. In peace they would buy and sell with us, 

 but in war they would sell us and buy our enemies Commercially 

 they find us when docile, at least useful ; but poHtically they 

 would shun as a pestilence that walketh at noonday. We can on- 

 ly be secure at home and abroad by being ready at all times to 

 " ask nothing but what is clearly right, and submit to nothing 

 wrong," and with Jacksonian nerve accept any responsibility of 

 our position. The true way to nurse patriotism, after having in- 

 stitutions that are really worth a struggle, is to inspire our people 

 with confidence, by giving them proper training, that they are 

 equal to their mission, and that failure is impossible. 



Some may argue that the institutions proposed will turn out 

 unsuccessfully. It may be that they will, but the object more 

 than compensates the risk. If put into incompetent and unworthy 

 hands, they will of course fail, and so would free government it- 

 self But this would impute an imbecility upon the Legislatures 

 of the several States, they have not deserved. Let us not believe 

 they will prove inert, helpless or wanting in capacity to develop 

 so palpable a boon. I have faith in the sagacity of the people to 

 profit by the experience of the world, and that they will mold 

 these institutions in a form, and place them in charge of such men, 

 as will secure permanent usefulness and enduring honor to the 

 whole country. 



