Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-03-07
!; the balance, distributed among the re.

iy; the balance, distributed among the re.
naming nine, will average about sixty.seven
to each. In most of the reports in colleges
is included the preparatory schools. The
state has contributed, at different times, to
the colleges, two hundred and forty.thrce
thousand, six hundred and sixty.six dollars.
The whole property, as reported by eight
colleges, is estimated at three hundred and
thirty three thousand. nine hundred and
seventeen dollars. This statement furnishes
at one glance, the wretchcd policy Of our
state in multiplying colleges and scattering
their funds. AS matters now are, the llt-
erary standing of our great and wealthy
state Is below par. We have not one COL
lege, possessed Of sufficient funds and &C.
commodations. The creation of every new
college, and the funds bestowed on instltu-
tons inferior and unnecessary, are positive.
" injurious. Funds have been wasted, and
the number of students unnecessarily dis.
| tributed. The consequence is, that many
Of our youth, instead of entering any of our
numerous colleges, resort to other states,
where colleges are fewer in number, and
better endowed. The granting of every
new charter, with donation, tends to draw
away students and influence from those al
ready in operation, and degrade the char.
acter of colleges and literature in general.
AS to the question whether the state ought,
for the present, to concentrate its energies
in one university, or grant to an indefinite
number the right Of comforting degrees, il
is not easy to give definite answer. Much
depends on circumstances; the public funds,
the character and number of the inhabi-
,arts, the probability of uniting in the pat.
ronage Of one, people of different talents,
prejudices, literary taste, and especially
different moral and religious sentiments
If all these could be concentrated harmo.
niously, it might be best to confne their en-
orgies 10 one, for time. If all religious
men are excluded, the institution becomes
lnfdel. Serious people would not send
their sons TO such an institution. No a.
mount of funds can, per Sc, create col.
lege-nor can any amount of talent in the
professors, command success; there must
be harmony aud cooperation. The char.
acter Of the institution, as to order, mora
and religious sentiments, must be such as
TO secure the confidence of the community
| would respectfully suggest, TO avoid ex
tremes on either side, that the Legislature
should, for the present, look 10 the forma
ton Of only one state university, to receive
the ample endowments the state is able &c
afford and they should, from the COM
mencement, guard against the evils of ar
undue multiplication Of colleges and in or
der to do this, that no charter should be
granted to any association, only on the con
dlion Of having procured such an amour
of funds, as will secure responsibility by
supplying able professors, and the proper
college accommodations. The condition
above mentioned, would be justified on the
principle of securing and sustaining an ele
waited tone of literature in the state; and j
would eflectuay prevent the evils Of mul
iiplying colleges too indefinitely, and all the
consequent evils arising from a number o
contemplate misunderstanding to de
grade the cause of education--as exempt
fled in the history Of our state and others
have written the foregoing in great haste
though the subject has been matter of seri
Gus consideration for many years. fee
deep interest in the welfare of your new
and flourishing state.
Yours, respectfully,
NJ. BROWN"