No. 129.) 22» 



forever into the history and precedents of the past, Young Amer- 

 ica presses forward to her brilliant future, unmindful of the 

 checks which conservatism in error would place in her way. A 

 democracy of science must and will overcome all obstacles, and 

 regard as milestones of the past many of our so-called institutions 

 of learning. Reform is loudly called for, and the only answer 

 we have had from many of those sleepy institutions is, that " We 

 are going to reform," and then turn over and go to sleep again. 

 In one of our colleges — I name it to its honor — the requisite steps 

 have been taken to meet the wants of this progressive age. I 

 refer to Brown University, and i trust tliat every encouragement 

 that can be given will be afforded to enable that institution to 

 c^rry forward its designs, that other institutions of learning may 

 be encouraged to follow in its steps, to vie with it in extending 

 the benefits of learning to all, and to "give to every one that 

 asketh," what he may need, without forcing him to learn those 

 things that will be of lib benefit to him before he can obtain his 

 parcliment roll with two of the fir*t letters of the alphabet after 

 his name, to be followed by two others when he has forgotten his 

 Greek. 



I would not have jou suppor-e that I despise classic learning. 

 On the contrary no one loves it more than I do, however little I 

 may have of it ; but I do object to the idea that a liberal educa- 

 tion depends wholly upon a mere smattering knowledge of twe 

 dead languages with a mere elementary knowledge of philosophy. 

 Far be it from meto discouraging any kind of learning. 1 would 

 that every man should have all possible mouns of ac/]uiring the 

 kinds of knowledge most conducive to his happiness and useful- 

 ness ; but I do think that the public have neglected their own 

 interests in not awaking from the dream they have been in for so 

 long a period, and in not seeing that our supposed institutions of 

 learning are far below the wants of the age, and are not in har- 

 mony with the other institutions and the customs of oui- country, 

 being irresponsible, though somewhat limited monarchies in the 

 midst of a Republic. 



If we cannot effect the reforms wd desire — and I cvv n tnat 

 seems difficult, if not impossible to do so ia institutioio iioi re- 

 sponsible to the people — let lis establish independent Institutions 



