STATE HORTICULTUllAL SOCIETY. 223 



Mr. Brown — I move that the vote be taken on that subject not later 

 than half-past nine. Carried. 



The resolution having been read, 



Mr. Flagg called for a division of the question, which was allowed. 



The first section being read, tlio following discussion ensued: 



Mr. Flagg — I am of opinion the organic law of the State now cor- 

 responds with the organic law of Congress, and anything which looks 

 to a change in the present framework of the University must go clear 

 back to the organic law. 



Mr. Brown — I did not wish to argue this question, but I hope the 

 resolution will not pass, for the reason just given by Mr. Flagg. For 

 another reason — that it seems to me illiberal. The object seems to 

 be to exclude all classical and literary studies. If we could do that, 

 I do not think it would do any good. I do not see why a farmer's 

 son should not study the languages as well as other branches of 

 knowledge, and if the scheme is to teach classics, we must have all 

 the machiner}^ for it, and therefore it is just as easy to teach a large 

 number as a small number. I think there is no necessity for this 

 resolution whatever. The assertion that this institution was a mere 

 classical institution, running in the old ruts is not true. No reason- 

 able man would expect that an institution of this sort would spring 

 full grown and fully armed into existence, as Minerva sprang from 

 the brain of Jupiter. Now, we assert that there are no men in this 

 State of Illinois who are more determined to make this institution 

 "what the people expect it to be — that is, an institution for the horticul- 

 tural, agricultural, and mechanical interests of the State — than the trus- 

 tees and regent of that institution ; for I do think that there is no man 

 in the State who has a fuller appreciation and a wider comprehension 

 of the subjects to be taught than Dr. Gregory. There have been 

 false impressions gone abroad about it, but I can say that they are 

 rapidly bringing the institution up to a point to Avhich public senti- 

 ment says it should come. Only a few days ago we appointed a 

 director of mechanical industry, and he will be there on the first of 

 Januarj^. 



