The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-05-05
For n. Democratic .Adsocats.
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, /
MoNpAY, April Both, 1877. I

MARYLAND AGmCuLruRAL COLLEGE,
MoSRaY, April 3Oth, 1871.
Messrs. Editors As the tone Of your
editorial does not show a clear insight into
the case under discussion, feel assured you
will aid me in throwing full glare of light
upon an Institution which seems so little UNI
derstood You submit to me whether your
accusation, after all, is not proper. do not
propose to contend that the College, even
now, is perfect organization, ready to turn
out farmers on demand; for an Agricultural
College, like University, is Of slow growth,
creature Of tune, which grows as the people
grow under the leadership Of an intelligent
press. As nothing in nature is perfect ut its
birth, so nothing born Of political wisdom can
stand the test of critical scrutiny. But it
strikes me, that an institution which has
bridged its darkest chasm, and, in the face Of
much unfriendly criticism, is still. moving on
to the development of its original purpose,
can not be called "wretched abortion.
Surely, you will not tell me that the boon OF
English liberty, which was only secured
through the blood OF two thousand years, is
any less a success for its repeated death and
burial? contended in my letter that this
College had not reached its perfection, be.
cause LIST, of an error in its charter-a fault
of the press-and %, for want of encour.
agement--ano;her fault of the press. | will
explain presently. These two drawbacks
have checked, though not destroyed, its use.
tulness. 4 full course in agriculture has al
Gays been the leading feature of the College.
Tests and experiments have never been car,
ried out, because of its crippled financial con
dition. The object Of my letter, though, was
the defence Of the administration of high.
a.'.. ~.
Inau, who, finding it in this condition. has, in
the face OF all opposition, put it upon a sue
cesstul basis Two years ago. Board of in.
tellgent farmers was elected by the Stock.
holders. They had tact enough to see that il
was folly to dig into the soil for truth and
philosophy, whilst the sheriff was standing by
with his claims Of $4,000 Hence, 'pay and
start again was the order. The order has
been obeyed. Now, come to the charge
that this College has been, or is now, "a Col.
lege for West Point and the Naval Academy.
will show conclusively, that not one dollar
OF the States appropriation has erer been eX'
pended Tor any such purpose. Here are the
facts, President Parker, previous to his call
to the char of mathematics, and afterwards
10 the Presidency, held the same chair in the
Naval Academy. His reputation, as one of
the hrst mathematcans of the country,
brought to the College about dozen young
men who wished TO place themselves under
his experienced tuition. The law of the Col.
lege is, that all State and District Students
shall have free tuition. As these came from
different States, they were charged the sum
of .torty:tiUe dollars each, per month, for
board and tuition-thus bringing into the
treasury the sum Of $1,000, or $1,000 more
than the State gives. This amount has been
about sufficient to pay the working expenses,
thereby enabling the President to hand over
the ,chole State fund, intact, to pay debt
oil honor made by a strictly agricultural man.
agement. These students, moreover. are re.
CURED to study the prime branches Of a gen.
eral education, and are always required to
attend the agricultural lectures, Instead of
costing the State anything, they are really
aiding the State to pay its honest debts
Need | make this clearer? Again, the
United States gives $1,000 for agricultural
instruction, with the express condition that
military tactics shall be taught. The adyan.
tages OF this daily drill are so manifest, that
no thinking man questions them.
The public schools of Baltimore are adopt.
ing military discipline. Neatness, regularity
and bodily development are the results of
this pleasant soldier life. ! think you will
agree with me that the press is the peoples
voice. and as such, should shape the peoples
wants. II is the power behind the legislator,
and, 1t fails in its duty, when it ceases to in.
Vestlgate, suggest, urge and direct.
Hence, repeat that much of the difficulty,
at the beginning and now, is in the people,
and, therefore, in the press.
had no reference to any of the proceed.
ings at the late meeting in Baltimore will
hara hntyatFar H.. en- 4 4
been gwen, 1t would have appeared that every
objection, raised by the gentleman who OPP.
posed the present policy, was successfully
met by Mr.. Allen Bowie Davis, President
Parker and myself Mr.. Howard MeHenry.
who came to the meeting in doubt, after hear.
ing the report from the College, gave his sup.
port. His resolution, as | take it, was only
to paciiy all opposition. | have now, lust
received from his pen, some very valuable
aids in our work of development. They are
notes from the Royal Agricultural Society
OF England, which show that our College
has not been alone in its struggle for exis.
tence. Even in England, with a fund of
100000, there appeared to be no alterna.
tive but the closing of the Institute for want
OF actual support" Five gentlemen came
forward, assumed the support of the Institu.
tion,h and saved it.
The contest through which our College has
just gone and by which its administration was
endorsed by vote of two to one, has greatly
strengthened it, because it has brought to its
support, three very influential agricuturists,
who, heretofore, stood aloof Hoping, sirs,
that after seeing us in our true light, you will
open the windows that more light may enter.
shall be glad to aid the thinking farmer in
the beautiful work of his life II my voice or
pen can benefit him, ever, it is his.
Most truly, Yours,
j. ID. WAKEFIELD.