Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-08-31
For the Times.
Fayette College.

For the Times.
Fayette College.
Mr.. EDIToR:-In our last article, we re-
ferred to the scarcity, and superfciality of
our schools generally throughout the State.
The direct injury done to the young, from
these causes, and the necessity for reform,
are things too pal lpable to need comment.
when the facts are once known.
But there is consequence resulting in
directly from these circumstances which
needs more particular notice. 1t is the me-
cessity which drives so many youths and
young men annually from our midst, to the
North, in order to obtain more liberal and
thorough educations. If fthere were nothing
else to stimulate the energies of the West,
this forcible acknowledgement of inferiori-
ty TO Northern and Eastern States, should
be all sufficient. Yale, and Harvard, and
the Wesleyan University, were all founded
and supported under circumstances much
less favorable, than those now existing in
the West More than one hundred and fif-
ty years have rolled round since some of
the first Colleges were erected upon Coloni-
al soil. Nobly did New England lead the
van, in the philanthrophic purpose of dis pei
ling the ignorance and superstition, which
threatened to extinguish the hopes of new
world. With liberality and firmness she
encountered, and conquered the difficulties
which were ever threatening the destruc-
tion Of her cherished institutions. But STAN
ding firm, she is even yet, the acknowledge
ed head of American science and litera-
ture.
From the farthest verge of our now wide
ly extended country, the students of science
are to be seen annually vending their way,
Ger fertile lands, through populous cities,
and highly cultivated districts, to the rocky
heights of New England, there to slake their
thirsty souls from the pure and copious foun-
tain of learning.
Shall this be eper SOP Is there no spark
of literary pride or independence, to be
found among the active and enterprisng
people of the West? Will she never rouse
herself from the apathy which now benumbs
her faculties, and stiles her resources?-
Will she never shake off the shrowed ofig-
norance, which covers but to the contempt,
or insulting pity of enlightened and pros
porous sister States? Will she longer hug
the chains of ignorance, and yield the annu-
al tributes which are demanded of her by
the superiority of Northern rivals? If she
is deaf to every consideration, which should
awaken spirit of rivalry and generous en-
ulation, there yet remains another motive,
to be found in the political antipathy, be-
tween the North and South (including all
slave States which has of late years theat-
ened the very existence of the Union. It
is not with desire to increase the hostility
which already exists, that the subject is
here introduced-but rather by suggesting
more prudent policy on our part, to allay
its ,irulence. Youth is the season for re-
ceiving the most lasting impressions, and
gather ideas into the great store-house ofthe
mind, from which the principles and acts of
after life, are to be drawn and shaped
IT'S precisely at this age, that large ma
jority of those who do go, become the pu-
pills of Northern teachers, and the associates
of Northern people--entering upon state
of society entirely different from what they
have been accustomed to-with principles
not yet fully matured, they find one cf the
prominent institutions of their native State
assailed on every hand. The insidious as
sociations of the classroom, the playground
and the literary societies, attack it. The
sanctity of the pulpit is arrayed in hostility
against it, and the daily press is teeming
with its abuses. All these combined are
well calculated to ouerrohelm or embitier the
minds of those against whom they are level
ed. And facts 90 to prove, that nine tenths
of those who go to Northern schools from
slave States, become by the close Of the col
legiate career, the most decided ultras against
either the North or the South, and returns
home after, but to become traitors or aliens
to the institutions under which they were
born and raised. Should not feelings Of pride,
even of becoming self respect, prompt us no
longer to contribute to such q state ofthingsf
But how can those evils be remedied? lst
By offering salaries sufficient to induce wor.
! thy and competent teachers to render us theil