Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-05-12

their noble but unambitious calling, are
never less than the backbone of the State
Why do We at so much cost open many
mines only to find at last nothing to show
but hole in the ground More special
previous training might preclude this not
uncommon grief. Why are so many Of our
railroads non-paying investments? Largely
because they have been unscientiicaliy To-
Gated, and then built not only prematurely,
| or in advance of any business sup
port. but with lavish disregard
of expenditure. 1t has been computed that
not less than several hundred millions of
dollars have been lost in the United States
by inferior and faulty railroad engineering.
Certainly the over 1000, ,OO0, 900 invested
is now barely worth half the cost Germany,
far better educated in this respect, obtains
large revenues from railroads. and con-
structs them more scientifically. and even
with praiseworthy parsimony ,as we might
have done, if national colleges in every
State had furnished engineers with the ap-
propriate training In the time of Plato as
he says. ''you could buy common builder
Tor hve or SIX min8 at most, but for a mas
ter-workman not even for ten thousand
drachm9. for there are few of them even
among all the Greeks" That is to say, the
master-workman was then worth twenty
times the price of a common labOrer. There
and here men are no longer slaves, but the
difference in their personal valuation has
not diminished by lapse of time
EDUCATED MEN
But beyond the calculation of mere dollars
and cents. 1t may be regarded as an axiom
that where the masses are educated, there |
will be nation ofpatriots. strongly devoted |
to the principles of civil liberty and observ-
ant of the laws of a stable government. |
Such men build up and do not tear down. |
One thoroughly educated man exerts an in |
huence over an entire neighborhOod, some |
times throughout the State and nation but |
the influence of a well-directed college is |
much more extensive and much more per- |
manent. The Latter is perennial fountain, |
always pouring forth a living stream of |
moral and intellectual missionaries Gener- /
alton after generation may pass away, but |
the college never dies. Our national col |
leges, fitted for their work. are not servile |
copies of previously existing Institutions,
whether at home or abroad but, though |
different, are intended to be in the progress
OF time not inferior in character and COM
pletensss to any in the world-capsble of n
continuous and healthy growth, and in en-
tire harmony with the wants and sentiments |
of the American people and the age They |
will tend to produce unity, amity. and |
equality among States widely separated but |
going hand in hand to the end OF time They |
will make perpetual contribution to the |
political strength and the intellectual STAN
ina Of our country, which is to be forever |
governed by the people and the great ques-
tion now to be solved is whether it shall be |
well-goyerned by an educated, vigorous and |
virtuous people. or be dragged down by the |
prepOnderance Of illiterate and laundering |
lmbecility, as the conspicuous wreck of the |
last vain hope of mankind