Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-24
ST. JOHNS COLLEGE.
Inauguration of the New President.
Speeches by Gov. Swami, DIR. Barnard, Lit.
Gov. Cox, and Rev. Mr.. Van BOkkeIen.

that his presence the occasion an evidence of
the interest he felt in the of education having
postponed important official duties for the purpose
While he earnestly advocated the great cause of pop
ular education which opened the door Of the school
house to the great body of the youth of the State
rich and poor ake-he felt equal interest in the
success of institutions of advanced learning.
The opportunity was now afforded by means of an
institution possessed of all suitable buildings with
gentleman atits head distinguished throughout the
country for his successful labors in the of edu
eatonto place St. Johns College in the front rank
of scholastic Institutions. In his official position
well as personally, he would be eager to aid and CO.
lis6 in Maryland an Institution Of learning which
would do honor to the State, &c.
The Hon. VIM, Il. Tuck then delivered an address
on the part of the Alumni of St. Johns College,
which was listened to with great interest. Mr. Tuck
gave a complete history Of St: Johns College.
lege was then administered to DR.. Barnard by the
Hon. r. J. Bowie, Chief Justice of the Court of
Appeals.
Dr.. Barnard then delivered an address, of which
the following is sketch
REMARKS OF DR.. BARNARD.
Dr. Barnard, after passing notice of the crcum-
stances attending his appointment and dE1uetion into
the office of President of St. Johns College, Ell
tered On review of what appeared to him to have
been the educational policy of Maryland He doub' ed
whether there was other State which could show
more earlier legislation in respect collegiate and
academic institutions. The exhaustive index to the
laws and Legislative documents bearing on the sub
ject, prepared by Rev. DR.. Allen, of Baltimore ex-
tracts from which read by the Superintendent of
Schools before the recent Convention of the School
Commissioners in this city. showed that upwards of
twenty colleges have been chartered with full powers
to grant the usual academic degrees and the United
States of 1850 showed that twelve of these So
called colleges of different kinds in operation in
that year. In addition to the colleges, nearly two
hundred grammar and academic schools for boys or
girls, or Tor boys had been established. and most of
them clothed with corporate powers. The census of
1851 showed that there 2 of this academic grade
in operation in that year. ere were institutions
enough to provide for the higher education of much
larger number of students than is found in most
States with the same population, and yet the cata-
logues of the University of Virginia. and of colleges
in States north of this show large number of s'u
dents from MARYLAND. Why was this2
The action of the Legislature indicates the desire
In different sections OF the State and among different
denominations of Christians to have schools of a
the cabinet, museums library endowmentS and re-
sources Of this college, he feared that there had been
want OF system and of concentration of efforts-ust
enough funds to erect buildings without equpping
them with the material aids of Observation-Disclosures
enough to employ principal without professors
enough to fill properly the different departments of
literature and science. He could see no way out of
this distracting and weakening multitude of colleges
but the policy of concentration on the part of the
State and of public spirited individuals. The
state has wisely organized system of public
instruction by which every neighborhood will have
at least one elementary school, and every county at
least one public high school. On this basis of the
county fpublic high school, the curriculum of the
college should rest and in that grouping of schools
which he would gather under the general organization
and designation Of ST. Johns College. he could pro-
nlRner pracIcal, Scentlnc and literary
culture which could not be given in the academy or
the high school, and which sorry to say could
not be given in St. Johns College with its present
pecunary resources and material aids of instruction
With concentration of the means now provided by
the State for special schools by independent grant
of similar amount new policy could be inaugu-
rated which would not involve dollars expenditure
In building. and If not successful could be abandoned
after fair trial had been made. Some details were
given as to his plan of operations, and the results
different educational policies in different States were
stated. Of one thing he sure, all expectations
without the means to faculty, and supply the
material aids of instruction, will be disappointed and
had from the start discouraged hopes of that
kind so far as his labors were concerned
Lieutenant Governor Cox having been called upon.
spoke substantially as follows:
REMARKS OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR cox
Mr. President, Ladies' and Gentlemen When we
consider that the country has been engaged in a
war OF gigantic proportions involving sacrifices of
time and treasure and lfe-a in which the minds
OF men have been deeply absorbed and by which the
ordinary business of life has been exposed to serious
derangement. it is cause for congratulation indeed
that public education has suffered no decline i'm
portant interruption.
In our own State especially have wonders been ac-
compShed IN this direction Amidst the fiery excite
ments of battle, leaving its bloody footprints on our
SOIL we have taken proud step in advance of other
States IN the great cause of common school education
We have laid the foundations deep and broad of n
SYSTEM Of instruction which will, in future years
prove the glory and the safety of this old Common
wealth. say sg:.em; This secured is. of itself, n
great success as furnishing Starting point which
we nav Z never lau III is an ADMISSION OF
necessity, and however defective that system may
be- the desire to have it will compel it be per-
tected and will demand its perpetuity. Henceforth
we nave men set apart to Superlntend this broad field
in Maryland-the qualifications of teachers are to be
scrutinized- accommodations for pupils are to be
regulated by proper regard for convenience comfort
and health and, in fine, all the appliances are to be
employed by which sound, thorough and systemat-
ical education will be secured to the people. The
late meeting of the State School Commissioners and
the able and instructive debates elected upon that
OCCASION show the earnestpess of the people, and the
mould this new system into shape
But while fostering the public schools, these nur-
series OF learning, we should not be unmindful of
catiOna facilities of the university. 1t is into the
college that the best talent of the State WILL after
course OF preliminary preparation in the grammar
school, be introduced-there, by more enlarged and
perfected curriculum of study, to be furnished and
fitted for the demands and emergencies of the future
It is there the different pieces of that strong though
homey armor are to be forged with which the great
life battle must be fought.
Now, why is it-and the question is an important
one-Why is it that we have had hitherto in Mary
land, no college worthy the title2 Is it from def
cheney OF talent, or means, or even energy? NO-bu
because of the subdivision of all of thesebecause of
their being fritered away upon a number of nominal
lns.itutons instead OF concentrating all upon the
all the requirements of the day. and give reputation
to the State and country.
IheobJect now Is to converge to focus talent
gy land resources, and make ST. Johns College some
thing of which we may hereafter feel just pride.
and whose diplomas of graduation may be ready
passports to popular favor the world over The effort
is to be made now aud in earnest. Already the Trus
tees have succeeded IN procuring the services of
distinguished gentleman as President, whose long
experience in the cause of education, whose zeal and
eminent ability furnish the strongest guarantee that
the OoIege uhqer MS auspices sustained by liberal
and enlightened public sympathy and support, vii
accomplish our ofest expectations. Let the lovers
of education then abor to establish at least col
leelate institution which will reflect ustre upon the
State and diffuse far and wide the dignity and re-
strsining moral influence of sound learning and pop
ular diligence
1t is not for the College itself or its Faculty and
Trustees the appeal is made for encouragement and
aid, but for the people. We live at a period when
public affairs. There has been spirit of sciolism
abroad in the land; Masters have been superseded
by apprentices. Gordian knots of science, which
needed the deepest philosophyto unravel have been
incontinently severed at blow. Empirics have in
yaded the learned professions. Fat contentious and
flowing fees have been too often the limit of legal
aspiration. The art of healing has been disgraced
by quacks and charletans-and even the pulpit been
dishOnored by untutored judgment and unsOund in
teect. No wonder that demagogueism has held
sway-no wonder the people have not had thefaculty
or the will to discriminate.
The time is coming when it will be understood that
tins government is not pure democracy to be con-
troled by mob maJorties merely but representative
form OF government in which the peOpe will elect be-
tween the time-serving politician, full of pretension
and destitute of brains, and the best fitted by
sterling qualities of character and high mental cul
tnre, to control the destinies of great Republic.
When they who are the guardians of truth, instead
of yielding to popular camor and allowing them
selves to be uled down the tide without resistance
will mould and shape the public opinion and give il
honest and truthful direction Let us remember that
the power OF government is not in the para apherna
liza OF civil authority in municipal regulations the
array of courts and penalties and prisons or in fine
any of the forms of greatness, but in the virtue and
Intelligence of the people
Let every man, therefore, who loves his country
and desires its prosperity lend himself at once and
earnestly to this great cause of general education
as the surest defence against the evils which have
oyertaken all the free governments of modern times
Never has brighter day dawned upon any State than
that which now throws its rays across the soil of
Mar! land The tide which leads to all that is pros
porous and happy and great in State, is at its flood
mere now Let us seize the occasion, and ignoring all
JeaIousies, and heartburnings and strife, unite in
common effort for common good, the elevation and
prosperity and advancement of this noble old State
REMARKS OF DR.. VAN BOKKELEN.
1he Rev. DIR: Van Bokkelen next spoke, warmly
welcoming to Maryland the eminent educator who
had entered upon the duties of President of St.
johns College, and approving the policy of concen-
tratlon which he so ably advocated. The speak er
said that he should favor placing the county high
schools and even the State normal school, upon the
classic grounds of St. Johns that those institutions
Inclusion. he made appeal to every member of
the General Assembly to lay aside all prejudice, all
local preference, and give college that live.
The proceedings were interspersed with music,
and passed of with great ecLdt.
SINGULAR CoIxcIDENcE.-A Baltimore correspond
ent of the Philadelphia EUenin0 Telegraph relates
the following curious circumstance:
most singular coincidence in reference to the
case of Mrs. Grinder. who executed at Pitsburg,
Friday last. for murder by poisoning, is the fact
that of her victims, Mrs Caruthers, is the same
name of an entire family of CarutherS, including