Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-03-19
w. F. DURIsOE q SON, Proprietors.

for the College property belonging to the State
should be taken into the value and deducted, say
half million of dollars or s30O,O00, at least, for
the College Library contains near 10000 costly
volumes The graduates will then have cost, each
S460-and all who have been at College $276
each. \ wide difference, my Nephew. from the
startling result of the Editors of the Informer, even
admitting that result to be but $780,
But who would or could estimate the value Of a
noble College in money-one that has given general
satisfaction to the State, and spread broad stream
of knowledge throughout the whole South. If that
Institution has been the occasion of calling into the
councils Of the commonwealth one such man as
GEORGE McDuFFIE, or WM. c. Preston, the Peo-
pie have been amply recompcnsed for all the in
creased taxation it has subjected them to. The
gentlemen though, will contend (or they are ingen
ious in finding faul) that if private or Sectarian
Colleges can produce these wholesome results, why
have one exclusively under the control and patron
age of the State The answer is ready. We have
never yet had any Of these private Colleges to ans
wer the ends Of education so well-they are still
an experiment. and as we knop the South Carolina
College has we'll subserved all the purposes of its
erection, we wish to sustain it, that the youth of
the State may always have Seminary Of learning,
to which they can resolt with the full assurance Of
meeting with as competent and accomplished in
structors as can be found in the United States.
The Gentlemen of the Intormer, just now, appear
to have conceived wonderful affection for the
Military Academy. That admire too, but will not
extol to the disadvantage Of an older and more
venerable, and an equally useful Institution. !
thought that one Of the co-editors Of the Informer
was reported, in the newspapers to have sneeringly
said, in one of those happy efforts, in the House Of
Representatives, which he alone could have made,
that South Carolina was married TO the College,
the Military Academy, and the Lunatic Asylum" !"
He then seemed willing to tear down, and demolsh
every memorial of State pride, and State munf-
cence u, one fell swoop;' and for the promotion
of some visionary theory Of progress which none
but he could have entertained, or for the gratfca-
tipn of the senseess clamors of low-minded and
narrowly contracted misess to obiterate every YES
tage of Carolina glory. l am glad though, that the
gentleman now sings to different tune, as to the
Military Academy. feel the same pride in it that
he does and glory in ts promise Of success and re-
nown. care not for the expense, while am satis-
fed that the Institution is managed with care and
| fidelity, and the money is dsbursed with integrity.
Why, though, was the Informer silent as to the
annual appropriations for the Academy They
amount to $4,000, while those for the College
amount to only S24, 200. And the appropriations
for the Free Schools amount to s74 OOO per anuum.
| do not complain Of this-would to God we were
able to give ten times the amount. But wish to
show that the State provides for her poor as we as
her rich. The gentlemen admit, that from fifty TO
seventy. five poor young men are being continually
boarded, clad, and educated, in tne Military Aca-
denny, at the cost Of the State lie will also admit
the large annual appropriation made entirely for the
education Of the poor. In addition to this, can in.
form the Informcr, that there about six scholar
ships in the South Carolina College for the educa-
ton Of none but the poor. There is always one or
phan taken from the orphan house, and educated
by the College. Each debating society generally
has one beneficiary, and oil the classes would take
one each, making, in the aggregate, eleven or
tw I've poor young men, who can have the benefit
Of thorough education in the South Carolina Col
lege, whenever they think proper to avail them
selves Of the generosity Of those who would never
even claim their gratitude Tor its bestowment
Thus, you see, that the poor Of the State are
! pretty well provided for Qhough not as well as
would wish in regard to education; and if the rich
do have some advantages afforded them in tie Col
lege, are they not, pray, entitled to them, from
the large amount Of taxes they pay? 1t would be
singular state of affairs il those who pay the most
for the education Of the people, should reap none
of the benefits of their taxation.
But as the Intormcr has introduced an invdious
comp .rson between the College and the Military
Academy, and the private Colleges, you will require
remark on that subject-especally in reference
to the support the College receives from the people
Of the State. The average number Of students in
College, for several years, has been about from one
hundred and sixty to one hundred and eighty,
and the graduating class Cor each year, presume,
have ranged from forty five to sixty in number. The
proportion Of students from other States has been
something like eighth, and their average for
many years has been from fifteen to thirty and, in
general, no more. Does this look like there was a
necessity to elect stranger to the Presidency of
the College, to obtain foreign patronage2 The
assertion oil the Informer to the contrary was a
hasty assumption, and | defy him to sustain it by
the facts would thank him also, though love
the Military Academy myself, to prove by any kind
Of logic, positive facts that it is likely TO outstrp
the College, in the amount of its private incourage
ment or in the number of its graduates. | venture
that the South Carolina College has graduated
quadruple the number of scholars it has since its exs
tence commenced For learn that all its gradu-
ates, since its foundations were laid, number but a
little over one hundred men. But, ! say, success
to all the Schools, Academies, and Colleges, by
whatever namc they may be called, and by what
ever influence they may be brought into being.
would pay higher taxes for institutions Of learning,
and for the education of the people than for any
other object on earth except to defend my country
against the invasion Of an enemy. l would almost
agree to pay tthes to scatter knowledge abroad in
the land cheerful readiness to contribute to the
dissemination of intelligence amongst all classes, is
the highest characteristic Of people worthy the en-
joyment Of freedom. Liberty is boon that re-
quires intelligence for its support and appreciation,
and the nation unwilling to pay its price is incapable
Of being free. To 9 man who understands the