Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-08-10
Louisiana, State University.

Boyd, Superintendent Of the louisa
ma State University, we have been
placed ia possession ofspanpblet set
ting forth ascheins 70 RAKE an en-
dowunent fund.- and whicll Is fortified
with so liberal : propcsition, and sup
ported by such Gust and conclusive
reasoning, that We unhesitatingly yield
it our support.
The first duty Of State Ia to look
after its educational interests, and
sustain those institutions of learning
which arc tho legitimate objects Of its
fostering care. This object, we repeat,
is, or should be, of paramount consid.
Grafton. Indeed, the necessity for this
action on the part Of the State is so
manifest, that any argument in sup
port of it would be needless. r''--
Our State University, in the success
of which the people Of Louisiana should
feel u common pride, has been most
shamefnlly neglected, and but for the
active cooperation Of a few friends
who felt an interest in its advance
menr, 1t might have languished for
the want of proper patronage. We
are well aware of the fact that this
state Of things has been owing, in a
great degree, to the Strengthened cir
cnmstances of our people, consequent
upon the ravages of war, and the de-
rangement of our peculiar social insti-
tutions, but energy, industry and q
determined spirit have partially tri-
umphed over these adverse circurn.
stances, and our people, in general,
can respond to the call of Superiuten-
dent Boyd, without any material In
convenience. gsT tg7 Hd 1898
There is disposition on the part of
many Southerncrs to send their sons
abroad to be educated, rather than to
our own institutions. This we con-
ceive to be grave error. There are
many cogent reasons to be urged
against this policy, and which we may
present at some future time. Our pur-
pose now is merely to prepare the
way for few extracts from the pam
phlet before us, and which deserve the
serious consideration of all who take
any interest in the future prosperity
Of our State University.
We hare ever been opposed to send
ing children beyond our own home in
fluences, social and political, to be ed
ucated. We have never known any
practical good to result from such a
course. Indeed, our observations
have resulted in a thorough conviction
OF the truth, that what may have been
gained in scholarship and ornamental
literature, has been more than neu.
tralized by the inculcation of views
and principles autagonistic to those
in which they were first schooled, and
which they will be required to main
tain in order to their own advance.
mcnt and the good of the State. h
We are firmly established in the be-
lief that our own sous should be edu.
Gated in the States to which they owe
their allegiance, and thoroughly school
ed in the social manners, habits, and
principles of those with whom they
are to be identified in life and destiny
and whose views, feelings and impul
ses they are to imbibe and reflect
The character OF a state depends large
lily upon it, educated mind, and tina,
mind should, in every instance, r4flec,
the ideas, principles, manners habit
and custom of the people who repre-
sent the distinctive ideas and charac
teristics of the State. iAa -
Lycurgus, we are told, resolved tn,
whole business Of legislation into tn,
bringing up of youth; aud regarding
it as the most glorious work Of tn,
law giver, he began early and per
severed until ho made Sparta tn,
bulwark of Greece and the wonder o
nations. But this, be it remembered
was accomplished at home. The Spar
tan youth would have attained tina
high standard of mental and physical
dcvelopement for which they were 81
deservedly celebrated, had their il
lustrious master pursued the cours'
adopted in this country.
The destinies of the State, as vel
as those of the nation, are almos
solely in the hands of those who hav,
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