Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-01-17

10 him appear expedent and desirable. I
would however recommend, by the ap.
pointment of an assistant, the separation of
! the financial department from the ordinary
duties of the Office of the superintendent 50
as TO relieve that officer from duties AZ
present too onerous, and in themselves ia.
consistent with each other. The Regents
of the University have been assiduous ia
| their attention TO the important trust conf.
ded to their care, and have done towards
promoting the success of the institution all
that their present limited means would per.
init. They have directed the immediate or.
ganization offour branches Of the universe.
| ty, as preparatory departments for the main
Institution. at such points as seemed to them
most conductive TO the public good, and to
the success of the branches themselves.--
These branches have been Placed under
the most sautary rules of government, a
uniform and approved course of study has
deem adopted, and the principal OF each insti-
tuition, is required to posses that high char.
acter calculated TO reflect honor upon the
cause of education and the state. Tho
branch at Pontiac is now in successful ope-
ration those established at Detroit, Monroe
and Kalamazoo, will be opened at an early
day. The Regents have found it impossi-
BILE to do much towards opening the main
institution fer the reception Of students, the
university fund being as yet unavailable
They have consequently, thus far confined
heir exertions to the location ofthe insttu.
ton, and to prepatory arrangements for the
appointment ofprofessors, the purchase Of
a cabinet ofminerals, library and philisophi-
cal apparatus. 1t is their desire however,
to open the university proper, al Ann Ar
Dor, for the reception of students, on the
first Monday Of September of the present
year.
have so often referred to the subject Of
education IN my former communications
to the legislature, that, important as the
subject is, | feel indisposed to dwell upon it
at any,great length here, sensible, that your
feelings and interest are alive to its success,
and that your unremitting exertions will DO
directed to its advancement throughout the
safe. Every free government is called
on by principle of selEpreservation, to at.
ford every facility for the education of its
people. The liberty ola people cannot be
forced beyond their intelligence the two
90 hand in hand. The South American
Republics exhibit but alternate scenes ofan.
archy and despoism; and France in the
day Of her bloody struggle for freedom, was
overwhelmed and plunged in misery by
the very attempt 10 make her free. In
the United States we witness the advanta.
ges Of education, in the virtue, intelligence
and liberty of the people. History points
out the ignorance and degradation of other
countries, and we are admonished of the
duties before us. If our own country is
ever 10 fall from her high position before
the world, the cause will be found in the ig-
norance of the people if she is to remain
where she now stands with her glory un.
dmmed, educate every child in the land.
1t is now satisfactorily ascertained, that
our common school fund will be abundant
for all the purposes of ourextended system
Of education. The university fund will al.
so be amply sufficient for all the purposes
of the university proper. But in proportion
to the munifcence of the means, should the
standard Of education be elevated. The
branches Of the university, as intermediate
institutions between the common schools
and the parent institution, should be placed
on the most respectable footing. Whilst
the fund will be sufficiently great for tho
support of the university on the broad scale
intended by the legislature, if applied to
that object, alone, it may fall short Of
that purpose when diverted to the numer.
Pour branches which seem to be demanded
by the public. would therefore suggest
that such portions of the seventy two sec.
tons of public land attached to our salt
springs, as may not be needed in tho man.
uiacture of salt, be set apart by the Legis-
lature, as an exclusive fund for the support
of the branches OF the university. 1t may
be questioned whether these lands can
be sold under the conditions Of the grant
from the United States, but as "ihey are
to be used upon such terms, conditions and
, regulations as the legislature may Direct"
it is clearly competent for you to set apart
t the revenue derived from their use, by lease
or otherwise, as a specific fund for any OBJ.
oct worthy Of public consideration. The
lands attached to the state salines, as far as
selected, are of the first description Of farm.
ing lands, and if appropriated in the man.
ner suggested, would give for the port
of the branches fund nearly equal to
that belonging to the university proper.
The pccuniary embarrassments which
: have existed for some time with all por.
f tons of the Union, make it my primary
duty to communicate to YOU my opinions
on our present system Of banking. Tho
t Introduction Of capital into the state is cer-
tainly to be desired, as through its means
, every department of industry is stimulated
to increased energy; but we must be care.
full not to mistake false and Fictitious
, credit for actual capital. whist ,he exis.
fence Of the one is sure guarantee Of a
country advancing in substantial and real
prosperity by the natural laws of trade tho
other is an unerring indication of the ele-
ments of trade perverted them from their
! true direction, OF unreal wealth based upon
the false creation of bank expedients, and
/ approaching revulsions, bankruptcy and
ruin. The multiplication of banks and bank
tissues does not produce real capital. The
J, productive labor Of the country is the iYue
foundation Of all the capital, and banks arc
tho consequence rather than tho cause ofa
{ nations wealth. Gold and sivcr.is the on.
ly medium of exchange recognized by the
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