Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 65]

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Illinois Plan for Land Grant Colleges

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articles using it almost word for word without giving credit, however, for its authorship. The Philadelphia North American in an editorial on education and agriculture written by Judge Conrad said in speaking of Turner's address at Granville: [tHis suggestions are urged with zeal and ability, and his arguments are convincing, as to the needs and importance of such institutions." Early in 1852 the plan was published in full in the Valley Farmer of St. Louis, Missouri26 and in the same year was favorably discussed by Daniel Lee in the Southern Cultivator, published in Augusta, Georgia.27 £ii#«j Through the efforts of Senator Stephen A. Douglas and of Congressman Richard Yates the Granville plan was published by the United States patent office in 1851, and in the following year Yates was successful in bringing the proposition to the attention of the National agricultural society then in session in Washington.28 The news of the Turner project was carried still further by the private correspondence of the originator and other ardent workers for the cause. Mr. L. D. Campbell, an Ohio member of the United States house of representatives, wrote Turner from Washington, April 26, 1852, that he had received the pamphlet and read it with much interest, and added that during his term of service he would aid in forwarding every measure to promote universal education.20 Other letters from editors, from state officials, from representatives in congress indicate that the Illinois plan in a few brief months had penetrated to the consciousness of many people throughout the entire country. In October, 1852, John A. Kennicott sent out through the press of the state a call for a third industrial convention to * assemble in Chicago on Wednesday, the 24th day of November following. He did this by order of the Springfield convention of which he had been the president. In order that there might be no misunderstanding as there had been at the Springfield con*Yates to Turner, July 10, 1852, Turner manuscripts. "Turner, Industrial Universities for the People, 51. "Tates to Turner, June 25, 1852, Turner manuscripts. "Campbell to Turner, April 26, 1852, Turner manuscripts.