WRJTINCS OF 5.HI HOUSTON, 1859
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stamp its pages with achievements as glorious as those of a Newton. Make education universal, but do not attempt an extravagant system. Texas is not prepared for a system of wealthy pauperism like that of the West Point academy. It is seldom that genius can obtain an entrance there, unless -it is backed by wealth and influence. You need not look there for it; but among the sharp, keen-eyed boys of the country, who are knocked about by adversity, you will find it. Look at Maury. I found him a boy without patronage or funds. I got him a com- mission in the navy. He has gone ·onward, and done justice to my friendship. No man in this age has contributed more to practical science,-none has received more honor for his scientific achievements, not only by our own, but also by foreign countries. You may rear these institutions,-you may tax the people to support them for the benefit of a few,-but the masses of the people will send out the men like Franklin and Maury. Make primitive education as free as possible. Then build up your home colleges like those we have now. Let them be accessible to the young men of the country. Many who now attend them, work or teach school six months in the year in order to be able to pay the tuition and board of the other six. That's the way to get education-work for it. A man knows the value of it then. These colleges will not be full of pampered simpletons; but men of mind will go from them. It is useless to attempt to·make a man of mind. You cannot make mind. You can improve it. You cannot convert a puddle duck into an eagle. You can make an educated fool,-but you cannot educate a fool into a man of genius. Those who wish to make such experiments should make them at their own· expense, not that of the people. As I look around upon this audience, many of whose faces have been familiar to me, in connection with the scenes that I have here witnessed, I cannot keep down the thought that among those whom I have been wont to see, but who are now among the dead, I soon shall be numbered. Here I first located myself in Texas. Around my heart still lingers the recollection of a thou- sand kindness.es I have experienced at the hands of the people. Their generosity, their friendships I have cherished, and never shall I cease to look back upon Nacogdoches, without those feel- ings which are akin to home. This may be the last time that I shall address you. Life's sand is running fast and is almost out. Ere long it will cease to flow and I must take my last look upon earth. If I can behold my country still happy, and the liberties
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