National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-26
TIE c0LUHBL4N UNIVERSITY
4 FEW FACTS FOR EARNEST CONSID.
FEATTnN

GRAFTON.
Mr., Coreorsn's generous git Of $4,000 to Co.
lumbar college, Washington, d. c., is in danger
OF being lost, from failure Of compliance with lis
condition. This was that the friends OF the col
lege should secure 100000 more. Only so, 900
have as yet been secured. Great efforts are max
ing TO raise the $4,000 required by January l,
ls'5.-EEchCRgc.
The above includes the truth in a nutshell: vet
all public spirited citizens of Washington and
especially those interested in the enlargement Of
it's educational facilities, will read expanded and
more S!eeise information with pleasure.
When Iir. CottoFah presented the $4,000 for
the purpose Of permanently endoWing Columbian
University, he said, In his letter accompanying
the gin: But II the said sum of 100000 be not
raised on or before January l. 1875, the donation
will fail, and tho property will be otherwise dis
posed Of The property referred to is known as
the Trinidad track and instead of being worth
800, 900, ii is really valued at $4,000; making
the gift all the more princcly.
Other friends Of the university have made bona
.Gde subscriptions towards the 100000 Of $4,000,
leaving $4,000 more to be raised. Now this fact
isplain; estimating AIr. Corcorans gift at its real
value Of $50 OoO aud adding to it the $4,000 sub
scribed, We sec go, 900, placsd in absolute peril
OF being lost-lost 10 the cause of education in
Washington; lost to the prosperity OF the national
capital; lost to the advancement Of civilization
and progress, for the want of $4,000 more. Re
gaTdcd in this light. and in the blaze Of Mr. Cor
cOran's princcly mUnifcenee, Il is a -paltry sum-
and ought to be subscribed before sundOEn on
this Thanksgiving Day within the limits of this
District. When Mr.. COrGJran presented this
great sum for the purpose named, he had OnlyOne
thought great onc-tO plant seed for q rich
frUitagc IN the honor and glory of powerful
seat Oflcarning at the nations capital.
I. may be that the Importance of this gift is not
c9mprehcndei by al! those who might aid in Sc
Curing It's complete realization. and right here the
language Of President WelliRg. in a late uuTec-
sity address, will strike all readers with peculiar
force. He says: Our college, from the mere fc-
licty oft situation at Ibis metropolitan center,
where society is broad. lI5cral and cultured, has
many advantages. The learning of the present
day, it is important 70 remark. no longer courts
the shades Of the clOlstsr but walks abroad along
the highways Of empire. Behold how, but few
weeks ago, the hand OF Bismarck turned from
protocols and papers OF state to indite an auto
graph letter 10 4 private citizen Of Italy, the
Count TryulziO, in behalf of Prof. NOmmscn. the
loan Of a few old Latin inscriptions which the
Professor needed 20 clear up some disputed ques-
tiOn in the Roman history he is writing, not for
world.
'.Ilere is nothing csotoric in the learning of
our daI. And what advantages are ours, both for
gaining and dinUsiDg the blessings Of highest
culture! For here at our very doors we have the
Smithsonian institution, peTpCtually working, IN
der the guidance Of its illuEtrious secretary on
the boundaries Of knowledge in all departments,
thus literally fulfilling the will Of It's founder and
eXempliiying the highest function Of university,
by increasing and diifusiDg knowledge among
men. And here.is the National Library Of Con
gress, with It's EelL-fllei aleoyes, opeH alike to
teachers and scholars for the purposes of literary
or scientific research: and here, for the study Of
technology, are the accumulated fruits of Arneri-
can inventive genius stored in the Patent Office;
and here. for the progressive scientific study of
astronomy. is the National Observatory; and here
IS that less learned than useful school OF Drac-
teal gcometers connected with the Coast Survey;
and here are the gardens which, under the keep
ing Of the Agricultural Department, invite TO the
study Of botany, not In dry herbaria and In dryer
tones. but amid hOWCry walks through which
ShcnstCne would have loved TO ramble by the side
Of IiDngus or Uassclquist. And here, for the
student flaw, arc the highest seats of our Amer
lean Ihcmis as lie e. for the YOtaries Of the heal
ing art, are the priceless treasures of tine Medical
Museum. without any rival in the world among
Institutions Of its kind; and here, by the munifi-
ccnce OF him who stands At the head Of the gov
erning board Of our college is the CO-cOran tTal-
lCry Of the Fine Arts, to keep alive the love Of
beauty IN the soul Of man.
God grant that tho day may not be far distant
when our college, already university in embryo,
may be able, by the mHnihcCnce Of its endOW-
meDts, and therefore by the range Of its studies,
TO take advantage Of all these singular OppOr-
tunltcs for promoting true culture in all Its de-
partments. Learning says modern educator,
may he got from books. but net culture. This
latter IS more living process, and requires that
the student shall at times close his book, leave
bis solitary room and mingle with his feloW-men.
Where can he do this so well and 50 prOiitably as
here, in this capital OF the natiOn-here, where,
as Bacon desidcrated we have 'straItly cOnjoined
the conditions both Of contemplation and action
n conjunction like unto that Of the two highest
planots-Saturn. the planet Of rest and cOntem-
platiOn, and Jupiter, the planet OF civil society
There Is a full month len in which to accom-
plish Sir. Core0r1n's desire. WIN those who
have the means let Il fail? The fact Is this 3d.
COO Tor the benefit OF Washington Is in peril for
the want Of $4,000 more.