Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-12-08

s,s1ssa ssss...s.
with few hundred old books fora library,
and fifteen or twenty students for pari-
mony; while two or three in each state.
Gall that ever should have existed with
efficient faculties and energetic boards, are
we'll sustained and productive of great good
to the community in which they exist.
The causes of this multiplication of COL
leges, are various. There is something
sublime and magnificent in the idea of
founding such institutions. The vision Of
Judges and senators, or governors and pre-
Sidents, educated there, fit before the en-
raptured Imagination Of the founder, and
makes him III his own estimation, one Of
the greatest beneFactors of the age. 1t is
not impossible that the considerat of the
additional value impaired TO landed estates
has It's secret Influence on the mind
Moreover, 1t Is becoming fashionable for
every considerable denomination Of chris
tlans, to establish soctarian colleges as if
the pure lights Of science, must receive its
hue and color from the .dogmas Of sectari-
an theology. But it is no part of my de-
sign at this time TO discuss these causes;
though think it worthy of serious consi
derallon, whether the Interest OF literature
in our land, are likely 10 be promoted by
such divisions. Our main object now is,
to find If possible the appropriate degree
of attention and effort to 'bo bestowed upon
these institutions. and upon general cduca-
ton. On this point remark;
l. That common schools call for the first
efforts an q fe,0 country in point of time
This may Re seen in the example of New
England. Provision for common schools
with them was made simultaneously with
the erection of their churches and dwelling
houses. While this most learned of colo
MES, delayed founding their oldest college
for eighteen years, Cl638) and no other
existed in all New England for nearly
century, (Yale founded in 1900 and no
other in Massachusetts,. for moo than n
century and a half (WiflIams college in
1902
The character Of the population in new
places, supports the same views hey
are generally composed Of young families
and young men Of business, whose course
Of life is marked out. Young men who
have commenced literary course in Older
states, cannot be expected to leave their
well established and endowed institutions,
and make trial of new ones. Thus the
number of those who need college priyil-
ges, is very small in new country, and
hence il is, that our western colleges which
have escaped the dangers Of infancy, have
been thropged with one hundred, two hun
drod and even three hundred in the prcpa-
a tory department, while they are utterly
unable for years TO TO form college class.
Another argument in favcr Of the prior
ity Of common schools, is the fact that the
literary rank of colleges, depends much
upon the general intelligence of the com
munity by which they orep tronized, The
standard will be elevated CT depressed, and
the degree of attainments increa scd or dl.
nlnlshed, according to the general early
trainings Of the pupils. | could relate ma
ny luduerous fact: illustI a'ing the point &C.
veloped under my personal observation,
while having charge Of q literary insitu-
ton in the west; but forbear. have
known college students rot a few, who
could neither speak or read the English
language correctly, and were ab'ut as e.
1lorant OF the geography OF the earth as
the moon. And | have heard ministers
preach educated at western colleges who B
seldom escaped fright smart chance Of e
b!unders in etymology and syntax. - This
is not the fault of the colleges or the men,
but the want Of early Institution, which
college faculties could never remedy. Ard
it is painful truth, that notwithstanding
the efforts OF, our legislature in making H.
beral provision for the instruction of the &
rising generation, there are stillmutiludes
of our children who can scarce shoulder
a rifle, spending the most precious'oG their
seed time in shooting ducks and prairie
chickens, when they should lie in school
thus disabling themselves from ever Ia
king rank in our future UNIVERSITY And
| would sooner have that contemplated in
stitullon remain it is, for ten or fifteen
years to come. and have the whole ener-
gles Of the territory concentrated on the
elevation Of the mass mind, than have any
thing neglected that woulI contribute to E
tina! end. JU.P
BRISTOL, Dec. 4, 1910.
MeSSrS Editors Il obearvoJ &, Ioho1rpG