91 



some tlisagreenieut as to bow it should be met. I may be permitted to say that 

 in the institution which I serve the entrance requirements are rigidly enforced. 

 1 do not want the impression to be left in this meeting that any institution in 

 this circle of colleges has fallen to the low depth of its privileges under the law, 

 but that all are trying to rise to the highest of their privileges under the statute, 

 I thinlc no one of us would ever regard it as j)ossible for us to be content 

 \> ith the perpetual condition of doing what we do not desire to do but what we 

 thinlc ought to be done as a temporary nieasure. It may be that for five years 

 or it may be that for five hundred years there will be a large class of young men 

 who may be interested in agricultm*e by one method that never would be inter- 

 ested in it by another method however perfect theoretically. So far as peda- 

 gogical theory of instruction iu agriculture is concerned, I think these colleges 

 must meet the conditions, but I thinlc none of thejn should make an apology for 

 a low standard of entrance. 



On motion, the section adjourned until 2 p. m. next day. 



ArxERNOON Session, Wednesday, November 2, 1904. 

 The section was called to order at 2 p. m. by Chairman W. E. Stone. 



Military Instructio.n. 



The following paper by M. H. Buekham, of Vermont, on "The intent and 

 purpose of the Morrill Act with regard to military instruction," was read by 

 G. E. Fellows, of Maine, iu the absence of the author : 



The bill for the endowment of colleges of agriculture and the mechanic arts, 

 which passed both Houses in April. 18.jS, and was vetoed by President Buch- 

 anan, did not contain the provision for instruction in military tactics incorpo- 

 rated into the later bill. In a speech by Mr. Morrill ou April 20, 1858, setting 

 forth at great length the objects and provisions of this first bill, no allusion was 

 made to military instruction, nor was there any reference to it in the course of 

 the debate. The bill to which tiie present colleges owe their existence was 

 uitroduced, debated, and passed iu the summer of 1SG2, and bears the significant 

 date July 2, 18G2, the day following the last of the seven days of McClellan's 

 Peninsular campaign. In the course of a speech in the House explaining and 

 advocating the measure, Mr. Morrill put considerable emphasis on the military 

 feature of the education provided for. I quote passages from different parts 

 of his speech : 



" If this measure had been instituted a quarter of a century ago. the absence 

 of all military schooling at the outset ot the present rebellion would have been 

 less deplorable in the Northern States. The young men might have had more of 

 fitness for their sphere of duties, whether on the farm, iu the workshop, or ou 

 the battlefield. * * * 



" Something of military instruction has been incorporated in the bill in con- 

 sequence of the new con\iction of its uece.ssity forced upon the attention of the 

 loyal States by the history of the past year. A total unitreparedness presents 

 too many temptations, even to a foe otherwise weak. The national school at 

 West Point may suthce for the Regular Army iu ordinary years of peace, but it 

 is wholly inadequate when a large army is to be suddenly put into service. If 

 we ever expect to reduce the Army to its old dimension and again rely on the 

 volunteer system for defense, each State mu.st have the means within itself to 

 organize and officer its own force. With such a system as tliat here offered — 

 nurseries in every State — a suHicient force would at all times be ready to support 

 the cause of the nation and secure that wholesome respect which belongs to a' 

 peoi)!e whose power is always eijual to its pretensions. In a free government 

 we have proved, notwithstanding some ' in time of temptation fall away,' that 

 patriotism is siiontaneous, but doubtless many valuable lives would have been 

 saved in the progress of this plague-spotted relicllion had we not so long 

 assumed that military discipline was also si>ontaneous. If ever again our 

 legions are summoned to the field, let us show that we are not wholly uni)re- 

 pared. These colleges founded iu every State will * * '•■ to some extent 



