39 



concern, and individuals, one would suppose, would sink under it. But the 

 thing has been done there, and the Government has been, as it were, com- 

 pelled to take hold of it. There is a feeling among the people which makes 

 the Government feel as if it must act. And availing themselves of the 

 general peace in Europe, they have been trying to establish schools of 

 agriculture. 



REMARKS OF MR. SANGER OF NORFOLK COUNTY. 



MR. PRESIDENT 



I rise for a specific purpose, and with great diffidence, after the learned 

 gentleman who has just spoken. But he alluded to the high rank of our 

 common schools, and to the reports of the Secretary of our Board of Edu- 

 cation. I rise for the purpose of stating a fact. It was only thirteen or 

 fourteen years since, in the very room where we are now assembled, that the 

 subject was proposed and discussed whether we should establish Normal 

 Schools. And I remember, sir, that one of the most intelligent and able mem- 

 bers of the House of Representatives from the city of Boston, rose here and 

 said it was one of the most preposterous things in the world to think of fit- 

 ting teachers for our common schools. If there was a demand in the com- 

 munity, his argument was, there would be a supply for that demand. How 

 was it to be supplied, was the question. This gentleman endeavored to op- 

 pose the introduction of Normal Schools, and others did the same. But 

 against all opposition, during that very winter when it was first proposed 

 here, the plan was adopted. And we now know the consequences. Thirteen 

 years only have convinced every man in this Commonwealth of their great 

 value, their inestimable value, which no money can possibly represent, 

 the value intellectual and moral, and I hope religious, to this Common- 

 wealth and to the country, and the great reputation we have obtained by 

 means of these Normal Schools. 



Mr. Sander closed with a few additional remarks bearing upon the es- 

 tablishment of Agricultural Schools. 



MR. PARKER, of Framingham. I think, sir, that the friends, after listen- 

 ing to the remarks of the eloquent Professor, will confess that two things 

 are generally conceded ; first, that there are scientific principles which may 

 be applied successfully to agriculture, which is a feeling that prevails, so 

 far as I know, throughout the entire community ; beyond that I think there 

 is a very general conviction that the applications of these principles is a 

 very difficult matter. 



MR. PARKER made a few additional remarks, elaborating these two pro- 

 positions. 



