Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-05-14

disposed, receive II :" liberal education" 20 fiji
him to perform in after Life all the duties that
may devolve on citizen of "A free State.
The ex-president of the board OF trustees says
in his letter, that this college was founded
especially for sons Of the farmers and meehan-
| les of the State" ! had supposed that ii was
| founded for and open TO all no chose to profit
by it, TO the sons Of lawyers doctors, mer-
chants and others, who subscribed much the
larger part of the money for its foundation -
But suppose it was founded especially" or
even exclusively for the sons of farmers and
mechanics, are they to he cut off from the
liberal education" which the laws by which
this college exists designed to provide for
them? Are they not fired by the same am
btion that anmaes other youths Would it
he just? Would il not be rather cruel to. de-
prive them of The full benefits OF the law,
and provide for them such meagre mental
training would place them at SO great dis
ad vantage in the battle of life with other and
more fortunate youths Intelligent farmers
and mechanics would not send their sons to
snch a school. II they spare The labor al
home and pay their board at college, they
would prefer 10 send them 10 some other insti-
tution-of which there many in this coun-
| try-where they could be better educated and
started fairly, well trained mentally and physi-
| cully, 10 run the race before them. ! can dis
cover no good reason why the sons of farmers
|
educations, be separated from other youths of
their age, but many why they should not be
so separated.
In the latter part of the last century, three
youths, the sons cf farmers, -one in New
llamshire, one in Virginia. and one in South
Carolina, were receiving their mental train
ing in schools and colleges open to all and a
few years later they had elevated the standard
of craftsmanship in this country 10 a point il
/ has mt Oh tai
ster and Calhoun, were leaders of Senaies and
Cabinets. Let US, then, whilst providing spe-
cial instruction for the sons of farmers and
/ mechanics, give them in addition the oppor-
tunity OF emulating the example Of those great
men.
That may be done at the Maryland Agricul-
tural College. In many respects it is most
admirably located. 1t is in IA State possessing
natural advantages not exceled BY any other
Its location is healthful and easy of access
from all parts of the country. Ii is in close
proximity 10 Baltimore and Washington, and
| in full view of the thousands OF travellers over
| the Washington branch of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad 1t would seem that landa-
dabie and natural State pride would prompt
those no have it in charge to make both the
college and farm models of excellence, alike
creditable and useful to the State.
| That was the task proposed TO myself when
/ ~
here may be permitted 10 say, that though
the circumstances under which | became con
nected with the college nay be of no interest
| 10 The public do not choose that they shall
be misunderstood. Every trustee knows that
was called here through 10 agency of mine
So far as know and believe, my name had
never been mentioned in connection with the
college until the trustees were actually ballot
ing for "A president when in full board |
tod
In justice to The gentleman who nominated
me, may say that he knew he was not nom-
mating an untred man. ] had been educated
under the strictest discipline in oae of the
best institutions in this country and for sew
c:al years had aided in administering to others
the same instruction and discipline in which
had been trained. | had been selected TO
aid in organizing and governing a State col
lege IN Georgia, and at the time of my election
10 my present position | was filling chair in
prosperous State university, which the rel
gents voluntarily left vacant for many months
that might return TO ii if this position should
prove unsatisfactory. had, besides, the
highest testimonials fir, nj members of the fac
ults of the United States Military Academy,
aud other eminent gentlemen who knew me
well; among whom | may mention The late
Chief Justice fancy, and General GUSTS Lee
and his great father Robert Il. Lee
Before accepting the presidency of this CO.
lege, wrote 10 the trustees that if they were
satisfied TO continue the college as it was then /
organized and governed, | would not connect |
myself with it, but that if they proposed TO |
improve and elevate it, and make it what its |
founders designed it 10 be, would accept the |
Office to which they had called me. They ac-
cepled my services under that declaration
! have been at lis head little more than
eighteen months If il is asked why have
not made Of it what | proposed reply, |
mainly because have not been provided with /
the requisite means and that my efforts were
opposed and SO far thwarted by the then presi-
dent of the board
To detail the various obstacles that have
would he as tedious and distaste-
iul Tor me TO write, as for Others to read
One Of my efforts has been SO strangely and
misconslrued by the ex-Iresi-
dent OF the board OF trustees, that in justice to
The other trustees, the college and myself
must ask you to allow me to notice what he
has said AT some length | refer now to the
effort made TO add 10 the revenae OF the college,
extend its sphere Of usefulness, aud render ii
generally more attractive and prosperous by
making certain additions TO the course Of in
structon.
lie says that the industrial and agriclltu-
raj interests" of the State as affected by This
college, have been 'subordiuHIed to the mill
larry aud naval organizations of the United
States" If SO, it has been done Without my
knowledge, aud | venture 10 say without the
knowledge OF any trustee, other than the ex-
president OF the board himself in support of
The broad statement he refers to the recent ac-
ton OF the trustees, inviting three professors,
among them the professor OF agriculture to
resign and to circular printed last Octo-
ter, announcing cet tain additions TO the course
OF instructions and that special attention
would be given to preparing candidates for
admission 10 the military and naval academies
An invitation TO professors TO resign does not
10y any means Indicate that instrucIonin their
particular branches of learning is to be dis
continued. If that had been the purpose, the
readiest and most obvious course would have
been TO have abolished the chairs Leaving
he chairs, aud inviting the occupants to va
ate Them, would seem TO indicate the purpose
10 refill them, or provide in some other way
or giving the instruction incident 10 them
But ms the gentleman referred to did not ac-
'ept the invitation, no great harm has bee
lone.
But the circu'ar, in connection with the in
Siation 10 the three professors, the ex-presi-
lent thinks clearly shows that the industrial
agricultural interests have been subordinated
TO the military aud naval organizations AT
IS, says the ex president, an accepted rule
OF law that local speca! act takes precedence
OF IA general law,-so all subjects are made
to give way when the special comes in con-
hict." BY which rather forced simie we are
given 10 understand that in his opinion, "A cir
cuar issued by the president of the college
takes precedence OF the provisions Of its char
Ter anu The laws passed for its government,