The American Spirit in Education (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 edition. Excerpt: ...and the source of the only solid and imperishable glory which nations can acquire.... In order to support "rational religion" a department of theology was authorized in Vincennes University, but it was stipulated that "no particular tenets of religion " should be taught. The trustees were instructed by the Act of 1806 "to establish an institution for the education of females" as soon as their funds should permit. But Vincennes University did not thrive, and in 1822 the State Legislature transferred the unsold land to the seminary that had been established at Bloomington. The trustees of Vincennes brought suit for the restoration of the lands, and thirty years later obtained from the United States Supreme Court a decision in their favor. But the long litigation had consumed a large part of the disputed fund, and by that time the rival institution at Bloomington was firmly established as the University of Indiana. The Morrill Act in 1862 gave to Indiana land scrip to 390,000 acres which realized over $300,000. This was devoted to the establishment of a separate agricultural college, later named Purdue University in honor of John Purdue of La Fayette who endowed it with $150,000. It is now one of the largest of all State engineering schools. That the early legislators of Indiana had a complete conception of the educational theory which has been since worked out in the Western States is shown from this clause in the constitution of 1816: "It shall be the duty of the General Assembly, as soon as circumstances permit, to provide by law for a general system of education, ascending in regular gradation from township schools to a state university, wherein tuition shall be gratis and equally open to all." All fines...