122 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
intelligence at home, both among men and women. They 
aspire to a great national result, and the power of education 
in all its branches, should be brought to bear on a question so 
momentous to the rising community and the general pros¬ 
perity of the State. 
What is Education ? Is it not intended to improve the con¬ 
dition of man, wherever his lot may be cast, and whatever 
duties he may be called upon to undertake in the course of his 
future life ? 
Is it not equally true that all men are largely interested in 
a knowledge of the material world; that ninety-nine out of a 
hundred make their daily bread by callings and occupations in 
which they have to deal with different objects drawn from this 
source ? 
Is it not also true, that during the last century, more espe¬ 
cially, a clue has been obtained to the nature of the elements 
of which the globe is composed, that has been found of un¬ 
speakable value to man, and that it assists,him, wherever it is 
known, in all his occupations ? 
Why then, should the nature of the elements of the material 
world not be taught and explained to all the youth of a land 
where freedom and intelligence prevail ? 
Why should this department of instruction not take its place 
with instruction in the general elements of language and lite¬ 
rature ? 
i 
What is the value of History, Philosophy, Literature and 
Science, if the grand results which they teach are never to be 
brought home with sufficient clearness and precision to the 
mass of the community, to assist them, where the most valu¬ 
able practical assistance can be rendered in their daily toil 
and in their individual homes. Will Wisconsin look this ques¬ 
tion earnestly, practically and seriously in the face/'and be 
guided by a truthful and careful enquiry as to the care it 
ought to bestow and divide between literary education, and 
education in relation to the material world in all its schools ? 
Let it be forever remembered, that every fact in science, 
