The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-29
The universi,y of South Carolina.

We find the following remarks on this subject
in the Yorkyille Enquirer, from the pen Of MIR. J.
w. DAVIDSON, of Columbia:
The change from College to University has
had, and must continue to have, two bad results.
The former Of these is upon the institution it
SELF, as an educating agent. The removal OF all
Of BY renewing all hre
genecus collection OF students with different and
ill-assorted preparations; and the result is that
uniform system ofinstruction operates unequal
ly, 30 that part at least, by necessity, must be
imperfectly instructed. The natural and univer-
sally known principle in youth nature-that OF
evadIng the UNPLEASANT and laborious departments
will also operate to cripple the usefulness of the
institution. Youths, If left to choose their own
studies, will, by q law which every teacher per-
fectly understands, avoid those very departments
embarrassments that must beset the faculty in
their efforts to systematiae the recitations and
studies Of two or three hundred students (for we
hope the number will reach those fgures), with
their unequal and heterogeneous attainments.
Under the circumstances, 1t becomes apparent
that the institution, notwithstanding it has OF
the abest faculties in the South, will ere long be-
come a respectable asylum to which genteel idlers
may take refuge III their escape from an educa-
ton.
The second bad result Of which we spoke is
upon the academies and high schools throughout
the State. In removing all requirement. from the
dealt fatal blow to liberal education in the aca-
demic grade OF schools. We speak as q teacher
of classical achuoi. as we have right to speak;
quirement for admission into the University Of
South Carolina to-day is, that the applicant BIO
fifteen years Of ago. We write with the Aes be;
fore us. Now, the effect of this one chronological
condition to entrance into the University upon the
high schools is to deprive the teacher Of all con-
troll the studies to be pursued by his students;
and its effect upon the boys is, that they neglect
all the seyerer and really disciplinary studies for
those Of lighter and easier character, because
they can enter the University when they reach
fifteen without any preparation at. all. 1t is what
boys consider glorious license to do nothing; and
every intelligent teacher knows how boys will i'm
prove such an opportunity -'
But tho difficulty is not without remedy. We
are speaking Of remedy for the schools for they
suggest onr plan for remedy, as we have our views
upon the disease. There are two things that may
be done. ,aI
1st. Let the two years known ss Freshmen and
Sophomore in the college, be restored, admitting
upon the same requirements as formerl', and
nations and then let the choice Of studies beyond
those two years be optional.
2. Or, let high standard Of admission into the
University be adopted, published, and enforced,
which shall require all students to have pursued
given course Of preparatory studies, about equal
to that formerly required for Freshman class in
the college, before admitting them into tho Uni
versity at all. Then, when admitted, some classi-
fcation Of them would he possible; and the stimu-
fus be left to the teachers Of high schools.
It js nonsenae to say that economy requires the
University form Of instruction to be continued.
The faculty can give collegiate instruction for o
thousand dollars year, just as well as they can
We cGnjure our people to reflect upon these
matters, and not blndly follow illiterate dema.
gogues who know no more about education than
they do about Heaven.