The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-07-26

Can Anything BE Done 60 Re vive tho
- State UnivefsIty.
The decay and dissolution Of college 8
IN this country are not uncommon events
There is mournful interest attached to
the extinction OF these lights OF know
ledge. When they go out, tho spirit and
intelligence Of the people are les sened
many degrees, and society thrown back
towards it's original chaotic condition.
The unhappy influence is felt in all the
schools of the land, even down to the
primary. It is rs if the great wheel
which drives all the rest Of the machine
ry was arrested in its course, OF as il the
sun upon which the world depends for
light and heat. was ec!ipsed in the
heavens. Many Jet living can remem-
Der the blight which the South Carolina
College suffered from the dissemination
OF infidel doctrines and the spread of the
spirit of akepticism and SOOTHING in the
time of DR.. Cooper. An institution from
which had been graduated McDuhie,
Petigru. Legare, Preston, Evans, HRr-
per, Mott. McCord, Butler, O'Neale, and
scores of other eminent men, in .ts earlier
days. and which could boast The splen-
did genius and devotion to Knowledge Of
Thornwell to illustrate its more recent
history, was justly dear to the people.
In response to proper appeals, they ral-
lied to its support, and laid anew the
foundations upon which it was to rest
broad and deep. Its new corner stone
was enlightened Christianity, and tie
spirit of bold, candid and earnest re-
search. But it required long and coz
certad effort Of the friends of education
and mornls, to retrieve it from its mori-
bund condition. Placed upon the sound
basis OF public appreciation of its worth.
and by the establishment of healthy
tone in Mi parts OF its system, from 1885,
when it was reorganized by the election
as President Of Hon. r. w. Barnwell, a
gentleman whose high character was nl-
ready proud and valued possession Of
the State, and as Professor of the Evi-
dences OF Christianity Of the pure and
devoted Elliott, afterwards Bishop of
Georgia, with corps OF professors which
included the learning Of DR.. Lieber in
political economy, and the skill and nc
complishment of Dr.. Elicit in chemistry,
and other competent teachers, it ran u
career Of prosperity and success until
within few years, to which we already
look back in connection with its enr.icr
triumphs as the golden aga OF learning
in South Carolina. It's present condition
is too painful to dwell upon. lis causes
are not fur to seek, but We prefer 10 look
forward. and TO point out some methods,
if any can be devised, by which it may
be recovered to moderate share, at
least, OF usefulness.
1t may be some consolation to us to
know that we are not singular nor alone
in tho PROSTATE condition to which a
great public institution of learning has
been reduced. Miami University, in
Ohio, one Of the oldest and most distin-
guishcd schools Of the North. west, has
closed its doors Pecuniary difficulties,
"AiSAoS lAolh sluaAucI lpE uuu waste Oh
It's endowment funds, is assigned as the
cause. The Ohio University, at Athens,
it is snid, will follow suit; and the New
York Tribune predicts that fourfif:hs of
onr new lot Of agricultural colleges will
attain the same tate in Laif the time that
Miami did. The money appropriated TO
their uses has become corruption fund,
and Well-intended benefit the means of
their overthrow. The fund arising from
The aa'o of tho lands donated to this
State, ior the establishment of nm apr:
c:i;!irii! college, has never been applied
wit!i ANY discretion or to any rroiit. In
deed, we have understood thaA the scrin.
or The proceeds, in whatever shane ,L.v
exist, has been h,pothecnted in y, "
York 10 securo loans. We Should he
very gind if any one who knows will in.
form us OF It's exact condition. II placed
oryoud the reach Of the State. through