Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-03-26
The University of Vermont.

we copy the following article frols the Nc,r
York Courier and Enquirer, MOI particularly
OIL account of the approving manner in which it
speaks Of the very creditable contributions of our
citizens to the fund that has been raj .ed TO
place the University on n basis of permanent
prosperity. but in order to record our entire con-
c"rrence with the remarks of that paper respect
ing the multiplication of Colleges The evils
that result from the practice of endeavorng TO
sustkh inors of the highest institutions of learn
lug th"n the educational wants of the Country
retp-te are by no means confined to the insti.
sanohs themselves. The cause of Education
suffers through the unwholsomc com peiiiDn
which the practice alluded TO necessarily arous-
es;--a competition wholly out Of place. and that
has less reference TO the character and useful
ness of the College. as an agent Of thorough in
Mstrn,ton. than 10 the ways and means Of its
peceniary support. To be cminently usefuland
suaserc the best interests of society. such an
Institution should be literally endowcd--ccr-
talnly so much as it falls short OF an adcgudte
endowment it must fail in its capacity to do
good.
Itappears to us (and we take occasion to say
that these observations arc made at no sugges-
ton but our OWN that the true friends of our
Vermont Colleges. and those who earnestly aim
to secure the capital Advantages of systematic
and thorough and sound education will act most
wisely if they bring about union OF effort and
interest between them. Hon. such union
:. i. a
But that there can be any insupcrable obstacle il
is way we do not believe With one Collegiate
Institution in our state, commanding the sym
pathics, the support, and the confidence of tho
whole community and thereby enabled to perlec
its means and methods of instruction, it mus
be manifest that Education liz Vermont woulC
I've incidentally benefited. and the highest wei
i>re OF the people promoted. We allow our
selves to hope that SO desirable Il state Of thing
may, by the judicious efforts of the wise rn,
the good among us, be brought about.
The following is the Courier and Enquirer
article -
Vermont understand thu, the very hondsom
sun of $50 600 has been raised during the past yea
by private subscriptions, III nd OF the CnireFSNy
Ter,nont at Burlington OF this amount there wa
subscribed
In Boston, Hartford and Northampton S3,so5
III New York city .,lO6
In Vermont adjaccn, n Y and Canada 4ios9
$4,000
OF the amount raised in Vermont, the srin OF 81:
900 was raised in Burlington, town with but htti
more than 5000 Inhabitants These facts indicate a
least the high estimation in which the institution
held BY those who have the best opportunity Of under
standing its character, and VIII, are to be most mne
diaely effected by the influences which 1t sends iori
from wear to year. We have good reason to belleV
that THE estimate is in no respect nnwaranted. IN
University has able body OF professors, one oil ii
very best positions for doing good III the United state
acoursc oil study more methcdical ana wider IN J.
scope than that of any similar institution within o,
knowledge, and library which the hon GEORGE !
MARSH on the floor of Congress hns pronounced TO
superior to any other of the same size III the un'''
States Its real estate and other property amounts
400 600 and the liberal aid which has u
been extended to il, will enable its directors TO car
il forward with holder step and sun more rhefg
in the path it has so steadily anu successfully p'
sued.
We cannot avoid here recurring to the remnr
vhich we made few days since concerning the nee
less and injurious multiplication OF Colleges, whct
becoming habitua, and which, we connot heIp INN
i,p retards greatly the progress OF SOUND ana w
o,tgh c,lrco,ion in this country. The State oil VI
mont, for instance, this subscription shows mas
nbility and the disposition TO suppon ana puu up
rood College : and if all the energy and resources
tne Stat. could he concentrated upon one Institute
il could be made honor To tue state ana oil 'ral
cendent service to the best interests OF society, !
,hrrc are two or three Colleges III the state, and u
~ ,,ore INN the state can properly sustain Whe
ever U one appeals for aid the others follow the exa
pie the rivalry begets more or less hostility ia
thus the generosity OF the pubic IS cnloup.'s'sE "a
Intimately thwaIted Each obtains just enough p'
lie favor 10 live along from year 10 year III NE N
of donp better at some future day: and so none
,hsm can be made what they onght to be. .,.,..
II seems to US indispensable III ORDER 10 p"lu up
colleges and higher institutions of the country, I
,hcir numbers should be diminished, or at al eve
no, Increased Wherever il con be done thcy 7ho
be condensed two or more should unite tnrlrrea,
csonI labor together as one for the common END
which all aim Whether the tendency to titir
crease can or will be checked, seems very doubtful
but il il is not they continue TO be less fespc
Li..anI i,as innnnriinl Ihnn they nMghl 70 be