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Caption: Book - History of the University (Powell)
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154 History University of Illinois gladly than the orators for he never let delight in words obscure his vision nor egotism limit his wisdom. The task of pushing the bill for a system of industrial universities through congress was one that appealed to his understanding. He knew the need of bringing science to the soil, of forcing the goddess of learning down from her pedestal and exchanging her flowing toga for a gingham apron. The defeats that met the bill were not defeats for Morrill, they were only lessons in the way to victory. Under our system of government where every citizen is a sovereign and where the farmer, the artisan, the wage earner are the dictators of sentiment, it is of vital moment that this majority shall not be at the mercy of political demagogues but shall be guided by the conservatism and common sense that can only follow upon education. The plan for a system of land grant universities, therefore, appealed to Morrill as intensely patriotic. It had for its object the elevation of a large body of citizenship to a higher plane. What was of equal importance the elevation of this body would not detach its members from the masses of the people as had been the result of education heretofore, but would make them more than ever in sympathy with the toilers. Morrill had the vision to see the great significance of industrial education. Besides the bill establishing land grant universities Morrill introduced the Morrill tariff act in the house during the closing days of President Buchanan's administration. "Previous to this act American industries were paralyzed, American labor was a wandering tramp in the land, American credit was so low that Government paper was sold at a discount of 12 per cent/' 30 The enactment of the Morrill tariff act changed the entire industrial situation: it put new life into American industry and restored the credit of the Government. As Webster said of Hamilton, he " smote the rock of the national resources and abundant streams of revenue gushed forth.'' Accounts of the life of Justin Morrill and interpretations of his work may be found in various publications. On April 14,1910, centenary exercises were held by the State of Vermont "Memorial address delivered by Mr. Powers of Vermont.
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