The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-03-17

But we speak Of general facts and general

| But we speak Of general facts and general
laws; and they are not to be set aside by ex-
ceptional cases. 1t is the young man that is
shut out from female society within the col
lege walls, and but now and then, Aladdin
like, gets glimpse of the halfcovered face
Though this oriental figure does not very we'll
apply to modern American fashions,) Of some
bewitching daughter of Eve, that is smitten ;
and forthwith deems himself ruined man,
if something is not done, and the partner
ship closed up with the utmost DESPATCH
But were this same young mana freshman
or sophomore perhaps-to meet this same
young lady and dozen others from week to
week in the recitation room, it would become
a more mattcr-offact sort of thing; and he
would in all probability take n more sober
view of life and its relations. Experience
has ahundantly proved that there arc fewer
hasty settlements-fewer premature and
troublesome engagements-fewcr runaway
matches-fewer crazy young men-fewer
headlong plunges into the matrimonial sea,
in colleges where the joint education of the
sexes prevails, than elsewhere. And that in
general the discipline and government of
such institutions is more easy and moro eff
fectiye than under the exclusive system.
But why argue in any of its aspects the
question Of joint education? Already the
system prevails in Academies, and Semina-
ries, and Normal Schools. And why not in
Colleges! If it is safe and expedient to
educate the sexes together during that period
in which there is the most of impulse and
volatility-the period at which these other
institutions throw open their doors to all, ir-
respective of sex-it certainly cannot be less
safe or less wise to open the doors Of the
College to those moro advanced and more
mature.
But this is not an experiment. There are
already not less than n Dc zen Colleges Of high
rCspeetabiity in different parts of the country
whose doors are open to all; and with the
happiest results. Why may not the College
Department and Scientific School of the
Michigan University be equally open ?-and
thus the vexed question of a Female College,
to be endowed and sustained by the State,
be put at rest9 A small additional expense
would secure the result; and secure it moro
ctlectually than by any other means which
your committee can conceive to be really
practicable. The details of the arrangement
thoy do not propose to enter into. That will
be left for the Regents, if they deem our
recommendation worthy of consideration.
Besides the College Department, there is
connected with the University a Medical De-
partment. We know of no sufficient reason
why that should not be equally open 10 ALL
The first Medical Colleges of the country have
been thus opcned-and the adaptation of
woman TO tho medical profession, if she choos-
=. "a.
will be universally conceded. Your commit
tee hope that the prayer Of the petitioners
will bo granted; and to that effect we report
the accompanying joint resolution, commend
ing the whole subject to the candid consider
alton Of the discreet men who have been or
may hereafter be chosen to conduct the affairs
fonc Of the noblcst educational institutions of
the country-TnE UNIVERSITY or MICHIGAN.