The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-07-25
COLUMBIA S. c..
Friday Morning, July 25. 1873.
Tho True Basis or Educa,ion.

Tho True Basis OF Educ1tion.
Whenever we consider the PROSTATE
condition of oil the institutions Of learn
ing in this State, and more particularly
the solitude. gloom and descrtion of the
State University, we are moro inclined to
grieve over than to censure the unfortu-
nate state Of things which has wrought
SO sud change. But as neither criti-
cism nor regret can be of any avail, wo
shall, in our discussions of SO important
q matter, cndcayor candidly to Indicate
the methods by which healthier oduca-
tiohal results may be achieved. In do
ing this, we shall be compelled to point
out errors, and to stigmatise abuses, as
we conceive them; but the end we have
in view, is abandonment of defective me-
thods, and revival of the love of learning
We shall aim to instill clearer perccp-
tion Of The value of knowledge, and to
inculcate more devoted. moro indus
trious, more pains.taking and more tho.
rough application Of our .touth to its
pursuit.
We ore very far from thinking that tho
late Judge Orr, who effected the change
Of the South Carolina College into an
university, was Influenced by other than
the best Of motives. He was honest in
supcrseding our compulsory course OF
studies with it's strict examinations for
admission, and during college residence
upon stated occasions, and for degrees
and distinctions upon graduating, by the
voluntary. which made everything easy
but the highest honors. These could
only be won by few, upon the univer-
sity tests. Opportunities OF professional
and special training. the acquisition of
practical knowledge for the uses of life
and business, were paramount in his
view to literary and scientific attain
ments, or the regimen and discipline OF
the mental faculties, and the formation
OF lasting habits of close research and
application. In our practical country
and age. with its wonderful development
OF material resources, and extraordinary
progress in oil that concerns individual
and national wealth, Judge Orr could
hardly have exaggerated the necessity OF
practical knowledge for tho practical
needs Of men.
But there is equally the necessity for
something else higher and better. It is
q contracted view of life that it should
be all practical; that mans chief end is
business, and his greatest glory, wealth,
power and position. Education is
worthy of being sought as an end to
itself. The development and discipline
of the powers and faculties of the mind,
the ability, only to bs acquired by tho
rough. schooling, to grapple with the
great problems Of existence, to appro-
ciate the great subjects of human
thought, duty. Immortality, happiness,
require that their dignity shall be re-
cognized and their pre-. eminence main
tained. In no curriculum OF studies,
meant to be liberal, can they ever be
subordinated to the mere needs of the
hour. Only when the demands of the
higher education have been satisfied,
can the practical and the useful be Justly
considered. And only, indeed, where
the foundations of tho one have been
laid broad and deep, can the other be
safely reared and made tributary to the
comfort of man. In the educational
pyramid the solid, tho substantial, the
eternal must constitute the base
JUSTIFICATION DEAD.-The New Orleans
Herald. in late issue, claims that the
unitication scheme is as dead as door
nail. This is about as near m estab-
lished fact as any which has been or can
be affirmed in these times of nuctuation
and change. There are various proofs
Of this fact. Among these is the sudden
and very unexpected declaration of the
Picayune againat the scheme. The pro-
prictors and directors OF that publication
had been conspicuous in the initiation
and support of the movement. In the
trial Of the libel suit OF Hawkins rs.
Picoyune, it was stated that tho directory
had committed the paper to the support
of the mOyement tt ia 0hvicos +bot