The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-07-08
Sectarian Schools.

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seotarian Schools.
The article of "AM1cus" suggests few re-
marks on this theme which we make now, as
when once the immediate presence of subject
is withdrawn from our notice, we rarely think
of it again. And we regard no subject as de-
manding higher consideration than that of
Education.
We publish "AMrcus" cheerfully, because he
considers it due to his young friend to indicate
the particular character of his address, as there
was, in the article of "VnToR' last week, an i'm
piled disapprobation of some of the positions as
sumcd by the speaker; and because, though per-
sonally unacquainted with him, we are assured
that he is one whose standing and talents claim
for him respectful hearing We are assured,
further, that his brief communication is con-
ccived in no spirit of disrcspcct for "VAroR" or
his opinions. For the high standing of the lat
ter, from personal knowledge, we can voucl.
With pleasure We can say that, from what
we have heard of Mr. GARYs address, it was
indeed IN honorable effort We had not the
pleasure of hearing it delivered. And to tho
first general positions, indicated by "AMIcus,"
we yield assent. That woman has done much
to produce and advance the prosperity of the
country, we presume is proposition but few
deny. The blending of the useful with the or
namental in female education, is another tenet
to which, as a generul remark, we do not de-
mur. We are passionately fond of the orna-
mental and beautiful
But it is to the last position, namely, that
sectarian schools are not adapted to the educa-
tion of either sex, that we desire to direct our
enquiries. We are aware that the position is
not new, and that Mr.. GARY is not alone in its
avowal. DR.. THoRNwELI, acknowledged high
authority, has advanced and labored to main
tain the same views. But we cannot see the
force of the arguments with which those opin-
ions are fortified. Even if they are drawn
from correct premises (which we do not admit,
still their force is not perccivable to us. Oh
tuseness on our part, and not defects in the ar
guments, may be the cause of this failure.
The question rs to what is education, should,
We conceive be decided, before scctarinn
schools are pronounced incapable of educating.
Education is the enlightenment and training of
the mind, and there are rs many different de-
grees OF education as there are different orders
OF human intellect. If we establish but one
standard of education, and say none other is
to claim the designation, then we NAV admit
from that premise that sectarian schools are in
capable of educating. But vast catalogue of
schools and colleges that lay no claim whatever
to sectarian character will fall amidst the COM
mon ruins; for by establishing one standard of
education, you establish one college as that
ar onI Ill -
fell swoop of distinction. Education cannot
therefore be measured by one standard. There
are degrees and the capability and value of all
schools must be measured to these various de-
grecs. 1t might be easy to select from the nu-
merous colleges Of our country one from the
denominational ranks and another from with.
out proceeding upon the one-standard princi.
pie top prove the truth of the position that the
former is not adapted to educate. But to such
process OF argument we can never give in.
10 State colleges We are friends--true friends
and 70 denominational colleges we are no
less devoted in our attachment We believe
them, tosay the Very least, capable of simpart,
ing high degree Of education; and seeing
that education; as everything else, can never
be wholly perfect we are content even II: tbev
stop here. But why sre they not Competent to
impartas thorough course of learning as any n
other class Of institutionsi asWe are not satis.
ned with the reasons given, and demand other,
before we acknowledge the incompetencv ~
the denominational System. There ara no Iaw,
70 restrain them in the election of facultie. and
the security Of endowment and have not reliv.
ious 'denomi- 'tions as able men at command a.
can be secul ID BY any Institution o;siteerta;n.
ly. How many Of The ablesta DfX Xfa,sos.f of
the age are not members of some narf SS;lsr IA.
nomination. We venture there ara Yaw And
more: how many learned men are there in The
country who only await the cali to sectSri.n
school to distinguish Themselves as teachers if
propitious circumstances attendi we conclude
then that den nonninstonsl system of educstion
is not failure, and we do not believe that thsil
arguments erist to controyerts the conclusidn
The reason that secssfian schools have not
|generallysrisen to an. eminence equal to State
institutions simpsy that they have lao ked tie
means for the attainment Of every necessary
apparatus and the servfees Of men already dis.
Epguhhs ed q tsschsia Their money is usnaily
'obhined BY voluntary contribution, and in Con.
ssaueuce.is almost slways much below the de-
lnAnd Upon State inssitutions tmsonsy is lay.
ishsds With N unstinted puDi6ssns !; snd iinonsl
III s61&aStsr In colleges sssif is power Il
dddls and govSrnu1snta 2 Give denopai.1
I ssaal ssheol th4 ssme amount ofmonsy that
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