The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-10-24
LETTER FRosI WILLIAM.
East MISSISSIPPI. Oct. 10. 1877


months make one year. Seventy years Is
the allotted space Of human existence. One
half that time is the age of generation of
men, These thoughts are suggested by
visit which had the honor to receive yes
terday from Mr.. Jones. He supposed from
something in my last letter, that j was
looking to the ministry, and was concerned,
because he says have not sufficient gifts
for calling so Ligh in its objects. In the
midst of his arguments he referred to the
limit of human life, and had much to saw of
the observations OF Scion to Cresus. OF
these matters you can be advised by calling
upon some school superintendent near you.
Mr.. Jones had much to say on the Univer-
sity subject. l made memorandum as he
spoke. He said: NWilliam, observe in
your last letter to The CLARION you refer
TO the question of the status OF the State
University, and as far as you go l approve
You are, however, very young; and, if you
had taken the trouble to consult me your
letter would have been much better on the
real matter of interest in the decision. Uni
yersity education is one thing, common
school education is another. Common
school education is best and most cheaply
secured in the common schools of the coun-
try. 1t seems very bad to take boy from
the door of common free school and pay
him hundred dollars to go to great big
common free school at Oxford. that the
University may have numbers. Any sys-
tenn of public education must begin with a
primary school and end with University
or College The High School has It's place
ha WI h., Ia
When the University or College combines
the whole, and pays a bonus of one hundred
dollars piece for students that can't point
on the map to the Red Sea, and all are
boarded in the same manner, displned and
taught on the same style, and by the College
Professors, it requires only a moment for
your neighbor, Jim Locke, to see that no
good is to be wrought, and that gentlemen
connected with the institution will receive
nothing but their salary for their services.
Sooner or later all concerned must fall into
d1srepute. l am glad that my dear old
friend Judge Howry, the father of our State
University, is not concerned in these extra
ordinary movements. | am sure that the
Judge sheds bitter tears, when he looks
back to the time when the work of his
Go to, Judge; rest on your laurels. AL
ready you are enrolled with the patriot,
philanthropist and sage. Il had rather be
door keeper in the house of the Lord, than
to dwell in the tents of wickedness.' l am
surprised at Gen. West, whom 1 regard as
the best administrative man in the State,
and who yields to policy in the hope of
good. He must and does bear in his bosom
brave and generous heart, which some
times refuses to listen to the suggestions of
his clear head. General West will find out.
that IT young men were admitted to the
University only after passing through
High School, the system would work bet
ter. The General will find, too, that to of
fer collegiate education free is do. btful
policy. Young men who receive college
advantages for nothing do not diff
fer from other people, who acquire any
other good thing for nothing. Come easy,
go easy" is an old saw, applicable now as
heretofore. Ii it be decided to give collegi-
ate instruction free, let it be collegiate.
am sure that the venerable Chancellor
and the other members of the Faculty con-
cur in the views have submitted and dis
approve of the idea of having half the stu
dents of the University at the expense of the
common schools.
Another view of this question is that to
declare everything in the school line to be
the work of the University, and the sustain
ing great free school at Oxford by taxa
ton is hostile to the teaching profession OF
the State, and must ALLEVIATE all those who
rely upon talent and individual enterprise
as teachers for support. If the University
would conffne itself to the ground, proper
for its cultivation, and seek to foster and
encourage teaching ability, it would secure
the hearty friendship of all teachers, and
would give tone and consideration to the
school system of the State.
The idea, however, of gathering one hum
dred and twenty-three =. DIS at Oxford, in
the University, who ought to be in the free
schools of the country, and then giving each
one hundred dollars per annnm TO get num-
bers, is surely premonitory of death. All
these p. DIS are not equally untitled for
University life; but Mr.. Smith says, that he
knows one youth, whose name appears in
the last catalogue, who was not proficient
in McGuffey's Bird Reader, when he entered
the University.
In conclusion, William, 1 agree with you |
in reference to the Faculty. They are, most |
of them, able men, men OF learning and high |
character; and they should demonstrate
against the fearful Radicalism that under
lies the management of our Univer-
sity. The mere fact that numbers /
rush to the University, does not sat
isfy the sound judgment of the Fac
ulty, while it is painfully patent to all, who
think, that it results from the operation of /
a subsidy wrung from an oppressed and /
Overtaxed people, who think by sending
their sons to Oxford they get back some
what of their substance taken from them
by unholy legislation and political machi-
merry.
Let the University be University ard
not an engine, used to crush out the cause
of education, and to utterly bankrupt the
people in faith and hope. Let Trustees and
Faculty, so far as lies in them, remedy the
crying evils which must overwhelm any
name or reputation that attempts to apollo
gize or defend their existence. The fcon-
Guiding remarks of the last annual cata-
logue foreshadow the proper course, but
alas the practice. The University is loved
by the people. Many members of the Fac
ulty are held in the highest respect and
affection. The best people are 10th to des-
pair of either. The press hesitates to con-
denim, but the time approaches when the
verdict of an outraged people viii condemn
the management of the University, while
the men and women of the State will regret
It's crushing DOWNFALL
Mr. Jones would have said more but his
horse broke his bride and was in the act of
leaving for his home without rider. We ,
captured the animal, and my friend mount