78 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



these institutions be fed by pupils from all the common schools. 

 Where this has been effectively realized, as in this city, in Phila- 

 delphia, and, in a great degree, in Boston, the result has been of 

 the best character — best for the public schools, which are vivified 

 by the free academy or the high school — and best for the youth 

 of these cities. That a connection of other existing institutions, 

 of the same grade, with this great public system, would be a 

 benefit to them and to it, I feel entirely convinced; and one day 

 this truth will be recognized. I had hoped its earlier recognition. 



It is actually a conservative principle in society, organized like 

 ours, to let men do, as far as possible, as they desire in a right 

 career ; waiting for the development of public opinion to change 

 public action. Impatience produces volcanic outbursts which 

 shake institutions and society, disturbing individual and aggregate 

 relations. When society is organized upon the actual and avowed 

 basis that any man may wield the degree of influence and power 

 to which his qualities entitle him, it is conservative to afford to 

 every one the easiest route to his position. Obstacles only irri- 

 tate, and repression renders talent dangerous. 



It seems, in looking over these institutions of learning, adapted 

 to the young, that even-'in their present condition, and especially 

 with the means of improvement which they contain within them- 

 selves, and with the pressure of public opinion upon them, they 

 really furnish the greatest part of the facilities required for the 

 education of youth. Their shortcomings, if any, are not lightly 

 to be blamed. Their improvement has been very great within 

 the last thirty years, measured by the standard of each institu- 

 tion, by their condition with respect to each other, by the general 

 condition of education. This is true, I know, in regard to scien- 

 tific culture, the only portion in reference to which I undertake 

 to judge; to mathematics and physics, as far as 4hey have place 

 in a college course. The influences which have produced this, it 

 is not my design to attempt to trace; but I must be allowed to 

 say, in passing, that our National School at West Point has, by 

 thorough training of its graduates in a course of exact science, 

 caused a reaction upon the colleges quite as useful in its results 

 as the direct influence of the institution in its more limited sphere. 



