Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-04-04

In the very able speech of Mr.. Speaker RAY
MoND, in the New York Assembly, few days
ago, on the School Question, the following
eloquent passage occurs in reference to our
Collegiate Institutions.
And here Mr. Chairman ! ask the indul-
gence of the committee while ai'ude to re-
marks, not pertinent to the bills now before us,
but which have been thrown out in their dis
cuSsIon. The gentleman from Delaware, Mr..
GLEASON to whose argument in defence of the
Free School principle listened with great sat-
! isl1ction, said he desired that portion of the
pubic moneys hitherto devoted to Colleges and
/ Academies, to be withheld from them and be,-
tOWed upon Common Schools. | do not agree
with him in that desire. | regard these insti-
tu,ions Cor higher learning as essential parts OF
a complete system Of education tor any COM
munlty. 1t is t rough them, and by them, that
| Common Schools are to be advanced and i'm
proved. Look al any State, or at any section
OF State, and you will invariably find that
! Common School education is efficient and com
pIete, Just in proportion AS these higher instu-
ucnS,-lhese fountains and head springs of
knowledge are cherished and supplied.
This is not the place or the time to discuss
the utility of liberal studies to the best interests
OF any community, nor do intend to enter
upon any such discussion now. | desire in
passing SIMPLY to say, that looking upon the
Sch o. system OF the State as a Wh0le,--as a
perfect and complete organization for the Gu
ture and educational discipline of all its chill
dren, CONSIDER colleges, and academies as es-
senlla to It's symmetry and It's useful strength
believe, sir that the duty Of the State in the
education OF It's children extends to the highest
culture which their faculties and circum-
stances will permit. And hope to see the day
2 when there snail be, through the intelligent AND
well directed bounty of the State, colleges, AGA.
denies and universities, whose doors shall he
wide open to the full and free education o
every child who claims New York as his birth.
place or his home.
1t is said know, that Colleges are arsto
cratic. But how, or why i, TINS 50? Is i
Y arstocratlc to be wise Is there any violation
, of the principle of republican equality, IN be
coming learned ? Is an ignorant, uncuItvatet
barbarian, necessarily more Democratic-in tn,
true meaning Of that word,-than one whos'
: faculties have been trained by educational dis
, clpune No, sir. No man will contend tina
thus is So.
Claim to be a Democrat, sir, in the trues
= and best meaning Of the word, and would no
t willing ely see any policy adopted which shout
o perpetuate aud torfy the Fictitious distinction
with which that creed is most at war. And i
u Is, therefore, sir, thai desire college education
culture in the highest department OF human
o knowledge brought equally within the reac
- OF tbe rich and the poor. Close your cOlleg
doors to every child, except the children OF III
rich, and you will make them permanently an
: eiftctuaIy arislocralic in their teaching an
e tendency. You make them thus the mere tool
and instruments of wealth, and you cone
upon The wealth of the land the additional an
the paramount power winch intellectual cul
= ture never fails to give. Throw open theI
. doors invite to the benefits Of their cul.ur
4 every child in the State, no matter how poo
! or how iriend.ess he may be,--aud you Will e
u lectually destroy every tendency 10 arlstocratl
= distinctions in society aud In the State.
| But it is said that the poorer classes-th
o farmers and laborers of the Stale-do not de
q sire to give their children the benefit of Co
ledge education ; that it is the rich alone vii
will profit by tuese higher institutions 1t is u,
> so. know, and you know, and every membC
d OF tlls committee knows, II he will consu
the facts within his own experience, that thi
e is not the case. All ambition for the WeItaI
and honor OF their children is not thus continC
to the breasts OF the rich. Ihcreis no keen
5, struggle anywhere in the world, than that whic
Is often dlsturbs the heart Of the fond father. b
tween his desire to educate and fit for the higl
est stations of society aud of lite a promisr
70 and gifted SOL. and the poverty which shuts Il
! College door against bis entrance. 1t is f
such-a through the State and in every d
parlment OF labor and OF life that de- re ii
IS highest schools OF learning, as well as the los
r. est, to be thoroughly and entirely FREE. +
10 this, however, the public mind is not now pr
pared, aud of course it would be most unwi,
10 to attempt its execution until it shall be tho
to oushIy sustained by public sentiment. | HOP
to however, to live until | shall witness that CO
. summation.
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