The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-01-23
For the Daily Clarion

r, the Members Of tie LEGISLATURE cy .-,yy.y-
siDpi in Session January, 1867.
GENTLEMEN There is perhaps no term
in common use, which conveys a less def
mite. or more vague idea to our minds than
the term University" What does 1t meant
Webster defines il Gin so far as 1t refers to a
literary corpoTatiOn) thus: "A universal
school in which are taught all branches of
learning, or the four Faculties of Theology,
Medicine. Law and the Arts and Sciences;
or, he defines il to be IAN assembly OF Col
leges established in any place, with Protes-
sors for instructing students IN the Sciences,
and other branches of learning, aud where
degrees are conferred These two defini-
tious comprehend the whole of the elements
that enter into the nature of the Literary
CORPORATION usually known by the name Uni
yersitv whether we consider lt as British or
Continental. But in our country the term
has in many instances either been wholly
perverted. by an ambitious effort to swell
into importance some inferior Seminary of
Learning which, in Germany. would scarce
IL rank as a Gymnasium, and. IN England,
would occupy a lower grade than Elton Col
lege or Rugby school; or, the name has
been applied to some OF our Institutions,
rather bv anticipation of what they are de
sIgued to be hereafter, than a proper de
SiCuation of what they are now. There
can be no doubt that few of our
Institutions may justly claim the
name. Ours, the University of Mississippi,
think is one which comprehends in germ,
all the elements which, when expanded, and
fully developed, viii constitute a true uni
versal school But At present, with the
single exception of the excellent Law
School. which has been added to the origi-
nal system, we have taken no advance step
to accomplish the function and prerogative
OF a University. We have attained. il is
true. the position of well-appOinted and
organized College. wherein the ordinary
curriculum of Arts and Sciences usually
pursued in such Institutions is as well. and
faithfully carried out as may be done in any
such Institution. What we need, in order
TO fiji out our plan, IS to enlarge our sphere,
and include the additional Departments that
are comprehended under the term UniverSi-
tv. Our present system is the close College,
the obligatory course for undergraduates
and earnestly hope that this may not only
never be disturbed but on the contrary
that soma of the arrangements which have
been forced into connection with il may be
discontinued, and the legitimate and pure
" Collegiate system be left untrammeled to
accomplish its important and noble work
of mental and moral discipline. Let il be
ordered, Just SO soon as our circumstances
viii admit, that this regular thorough course
as adopted in the close College, consisting
of instruction in Latin, Greek, Mathematics
English Literature, and Scientific
Text Book Instruction, with Lectures aud
illustrations be kept distinct from the other
schools aud all students who come to the In
stltutiou desiring 10 take a thorough course
and no others be admitted into its classes ::
SO that IN this long-tried, thoroughly tested
and well approved method the mind NAV
be 50 well trained and invigorated that il
shall be prepared TO enter upon, aud accom-
plush the study of all science This will he
our mental Gymnasium This is nor in
tended to exclude such students as desire To
pursue an Irregular or Partial CoHrSe~ of
study. BY no means. On the contrary. If
Is intended To make provision for a more
effective accomplishment of any Special
course they may select. BY placing tbaT
under the tuition of Professors devoted n
such courses and whose entire time win he
solely devoted 10 that speciality. We avoid
Two eNllS by this means. l. The Young man
himse II Is not wasting his time bv heinq l
competed 10 conform 10 the hours of the /
FeSuAaF classes. : The University will be I
freed from the repr0ach of giving very i'm
perfect course of instruction to many de-
serving young men, whose time aud "a.
sources VIII not admit of more extensive
course hut we viii never fully davelon I
the University idea and function mill
around this we form a complete system Of
iFoIeSslonaI ana Scientific Departments
just rs the advantages of the Collegiate De-
partnent cannot be profitably and usafnllv
pursued, and successfully ACCOMPLISHED Inv a
student without thorough preliminary
training in the University High School. and
a tins again must be preceded by the Ele-
,.9tehtary School,-so the schools of Law;
ieqieine and the Sciences will yield al.
tuef great advantages only to snen =, 49,
Literar.v CSx-r,, ts,ss &c the College, have &C
quired The power OF inasPssatsnt sr tnOughs
aud the mental ability g master nnan wsseb thsy
Pa I. % xvs have made a beginning in
.l' ss,;vation Of Law School. which has
II ,a,sarformed good service to the State
II st5a+ department.
: - JOHN N.wADDEL.