National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-15

Where they would have 40 care for the flu
TUE, they would fall into habits of indo.
lence and Indifference. No doubt there
would be many honorable exceptions to
this rule, but the experience of most edu-
Gators would indicate what is here pre-
dicted.
There is, however, system which the
muniicence Of Mr.. Carpenter might esta0-
lish which would be nobler in its design
and grand in its results, and which would
prove its founder 10 be the greatest bene-
factor OF the nineteenth or any preceding
century. That system would be an indus
trial college, in which any student whether
poor or rich, would be compelled by the
rules of the institution, and in which OPP
portunity would be given for him to earn
his tuition, food and clothing by his own
physical or mental labor. In all our we'll
established universities there arc students
who, on account of poverty, earn the ex-
peEse of their education as they acquire it
and in almost all such cases the student, If
he succeeds in completing his self-paid
course of education, turns out to be re-
markable man. 1t is true he could hardly
be expected to be anything else, for he must
possess unusual energy and perseverance
to accomplish such an object. But at the
same time there are hundreds of worthy
young men who earnestly desire uniVer-
sity education, and who are willing to
work TO earn it, but who, when they connt
all the cost and contrast their penniless con-
dition with the great majority of uniVer-
sity students, SONS of wealthy parents, who
can live in ease and affluence while pursu-
ing their studies when they foresee the
hopeless minority they will be in, the odds
of social position against them, the extra
burdens which they will have to bear
to get through their allotted course, and
the almost certainty that if they get
through at all il will be with no class
honors, aad probably with dishonor few,
very few, young men have the moral cour-
age TO enter the lists with all these odds
against them. Let there once be a uni
versity established upon the basis of in
dustry; let it be SO endowed and conducted
that all of its students shall labor for their
education. and this class of young men
could then find themselves on an equal
footing. No matter if the course of studies,
instead Of four years, should be extended
to five or six, or even seven years, there
would be time enough; for, while these six
or seven years were spent in the routine
studies, they would at the same time be &C.
quiring a practical and physical educa-
ton, which our universities and colleges do
not and cannot afford. Not only would
such a school be a success as to the mum
Der Of its students and the theoretical and
practical results of its course of studies,
but it could be made certainly self-sup-
porting.
Under a judicious management indus
trial branches would be introduced which
could be made even profitable and more
than selfsupporting. All that is wanting
is capital to found and energy to carry into
operation. This system would meet the
appreciation Of every truly benevolent and
democratic citizen, for such an institution
would be in unison with the true spirit of
democracy; would open the doors of edu-
cation 10 class of young men now shut
out bypoverty and prejudice from the halls
and institutions of learning, and would re-
feet lasting honor upon the founders of
such system of popular education. Are
there not generous minds who will devote
the money and the energies to accomplish