The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-12-19
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1877.
The State University.

The State University.
It speaks we'll for the civilization of a
peepie when the subject IF the education
of It's youth is n Of constant and ever
fresh Interest," and It is. very gratifying
to observe how iargea share in the pub
lie attention is at present given to this
subject, by the people Of this State. An
important place in the Governors Mes
4 was given to the two branches OF
education that are the States peculiar
care-the education of the poor in the
common schools, and the education OF
the ingenious and aspiring YOUTH OF
South Carolina in tho State University.
'Goresnor Hampton evinced wise state
1nsaship in referring so prominently and
'e.s alphabetically to these the only parts OF
The educational structure which need
help from the State. In the interests o
self preservation and general advance
ment the Government should stretch ou
a paternal hand, and care for the educa'
ton Of the poor. In no way could the
public money be more advantageously
expended than in placing the common
school within reach Of every poor man
door, and the .rudiments Of education al
least in easy attainment by every poor
mans child. Not only should poor
children be encouraged-they should be
almost compelled to come into school FOL
an educated peasantry is a nations best
bulwark. The great body of the intelli'
gent better-classes, on the other hand,
need no such parental control. They are
sufficiently enlightened to put a proper
value on the education of their sons anc
daughters, and they require and ask fol
no appropriation from the public purse tf
defray the expenses thereof. The excel
lent UNCONVENTIONAL colleges Throughout
this State, the high schools, the acade'
mics, the ,seminaries built for the educa'
ton Of both sexes, are eloquent and con-
vincing proofs of what the better classes
have done and will always do for the
proper education OF their children with
out governmental help.
These institutions are self-supporting
But a University never was and
never can be in any country self:
supporting, and all countries have wise
ly contributed literally from the public
exchequer to establish and maintain theil
universities. The prosecution OF tho
high standard Of education which Is prop
or to a university is confessedly remu'
lucrative. The studies there pursued are
OF o kind that demand the employment
of learned professors thereof at high sala'
ries, and the number of students car
never be sufficiently great to pay will
their class-fees alone the necessarily grea'
expenses. A great proportion of Univer'
sity students come from the hearths o.
poor men; and it is especially 10 The in
terest Of the Sons of the poor that the
State University be properly supported
some of the most distinguished men o.
South Carolina entered the halls Of hel
University clad in home>pun, some
50 poor that they pull ed the bell-rope fol
their bread,-and there they laid the sure
foundation of that greatness which could
never have boon attained but for the high
education which they sought for and OBJ.
tanned in the State University. If for nC
other reason, it is right that a University
be established within reach of the poor
mans son. The rich need it not. They
can send their CONS to Virginia, Harvard.
or Princeton, or even across tho seas to
Oxford or Edinburgh, or the German uni.
yersities. The establishment of the State
University does not further or subserve
their interests. When governments anC
munifcent citizens founded and endoT'
ed the famous universities Of the world
they expressly said those seats of learn
ing were for the benefit of ''poor schol
ars.' Other patent reasons might be adj
duced-the peculiar advantages of q Uni
versitv training other than the education
al, it's liberalizing tendencies, and, If We
may cite one, the healthy influence |
brings to.bear on the students that come
from up-country and ~low-country and tho
whole country, which obliterates the fac
titions lines Of sectional difference and
~prejudice; q consummation devoutly Il
be wished at present.
We regret the action recently taken b!
the presidents of several denominations
colleges in this State in opposition to the
re-opening of our State University
They need not fear any evil effects upon
their schools by such re-opening. The
University would not clash with the in
terests of their excellent institutions.
The good work they have done, especial
" when the doors Of the State University
were virtually closed, Is gratefully &C.
knowledged by the people. There Is
work enough for them and for the uni
versity too. The fair structure Of our
State education, with its solid foundation
in the common schools, and its strong
columns in the colleges and high schools
requires as its browning capital a great,
free, and fourishing University.