Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1873-06-19

efature and science, and then proclaimed
that men can reason, women only perceive;
| men can create, women only appreciate.
! The wisdom of the past has closed the
/ college and the university against women.
/ And against the immortal few, women of
/ genius, of foresight, of lofty aspirations
and of independence of character to de-
eide for themselves what it was best and
right for them to do, and of energy to
| in doing it; the world has cried out strong
minded, unfeminine, blue stocking, out of
woman's sphere and the like. But the
world is beginning to put q higher esti-
mate upon woman, especially upon edu.
Gated women. 1t is beginning to demand
of women that they be not only pure
minded, refined, gentle, lovely and affec-
! tiOnate, but, also, strong self-reliant, inde-
pendent and heroic. 1t is beginning to
demand that in all that concerns the use,
| strength, functions and ultimate faculties
of the mind, her education shall be the
same as that of man; that mothers ought
to have the highest and best education
that it is expected their children of either
sex will ever attain, except in professional
and business studies. Hence the wisdom
of the present provides for woman
at Vassar College, the equal of an
Amherst or Princeton and still
more, opens to them the doors of such in
stitutions as the University of Vermont,
the University of Michigan and Cornell
University, upon the corner stone of
whose magnificent building now in process
of erection for the accommodation of her
female students, the founder has placed
this noble inscription, 81 would provide
that young women may be educated at the
Cornell University as broadly and as thor
oughly as young men,") and bids them
come and share their best gifts. And these
schools will give us higher type of wo-
manhood than has yet advanced Ameri>
can society, and make it in character and
numbers vital power in the land.
Hitherto, our women of culture have be-
come such by their genius, by the educa-
ton of circumstances, by the efforts of in
dividuals rather than by the steady earnest
training of professional teachers. But this
wide spread movement for the higher ed
ucation of women, with such supporters as
Agassis, President Raymond, of Vassar,
President White of Cornell and host of
others of like standing and influence, is
introducing great revolution and ad-
vance in the education of women and is
one of the most auspiciOus signs of the
times, not only for the future glory, but
for the stability of our republic.
And now my young friends, here in the
presence of this "cloud of Witnesses" in
view of the progress of the times, in view
of the worth of acknowledge to its possessor
and to others of the pleasure of life of
thought, the value and influence of ed
ucated women and the h0nors and
homage the world will bestow upon them,
would urge upon you as my porting coun-
iuslrssv., ia. going thus early into the plea
sures and cares of society andof the world.
but to regard your presenteXcellent attain
ments only as q broad and well laid foun-
dation for years yet of earnest study.
For talented young woman there is
something better than a hasty education,
early marriage and much serving. High
cultivation, large acquaintance
in the realms of mind and thought
with later marriage are better. And to
this higher and better path in life point
you with the more confident hope, from
the interest and ability you have mani
tested in your studies hitherto, and from
the success which crowned your efforts.
So far as East Tennessee Female Insti-
tute is represented in and to you, can
proudly say, "They are our epistles known
and read of you all.n
And now in the name and on the behalf
of the Trustees, l present you these diplO-
mas, certifying your full and honorable
completion of the course of study pre-
scribed, and do so in full faith, that by
your intelligent conversation freighted
with rich thought, by your continual in
tellectual advancement and eminent USE
fulness you will magnify those diplomas
and make them honorable. Farewell.
We regret exceedingly that the length
of Prof Buffers address, which we give
in full, prevents us from giving that COM
ment upon the other exercises which their
Importance and merit deserve.
His Excellency Governor Brown, Col.
G. M. McGhee, President Humes and
number of other distinguished gentlemen
were present and on the stage.
Personal.
Rev. DR.. c. d. Elliot, one of the oldest
educators in the State, is in the city.
New ParasOls, Fans and Sun Umbrellas,
at RayPs.