The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-02-06
EDUCATIONAL.
From the Detroit Tribune.

President Of the University, read pa.
per entitled "Our Denominatiopal Col
leges and the State University" He
began by sub-dividipg the topics of his
his discourse with interogatories as fol-
lows:
What is the proper relation OF the
denominational college aud the Uni
versity in Michigan to each other? Are
they necessarily hostile to each other,
or may they be and should they be
friendly to each other? Is the gain OF
one the others loss? Are they fierce
rivals, or has each a distinct field in
which TO win honorable rewards and
do noble service? Must the friend of
the college look with jealous eyes on
the University and be quick with the
stingiag word Of disparaging criticism
OF reputed successes, aud must the
friend OF the University look with scorn
on the work OF the college and count as
absolutely wasted the toll which il
has cost? Or may we justly and fairly
rejoice over much that has been accom-
plished by both, and regard each as in
many respects complimentary TO the
other? II here and there the work un-
dertaken by the one seems TO overlap
that attempted by the other, is it pos
sible that the competition is only just
enough to be good for both, and is it
true that in taking q broad view OF
their activity we find them not unwise-
ly co-ordinated and practically coop
Grating in the achievement OF benef-
cent results, which neither alone would
have so successfully accomplished? /
am well aware that these are not new
questions to you. They have been Of
ten discussed In private, il not in pub
lie, and sometimes discussed, fear,
with warmth and passion aud preju-
dice, rather tnan with judicial fairness
and calmness. IL may be deemed a
delicate matter for me TO discuss them
publicly. Let me at the outset remark
that do not propose to discuss the
question whether denominational or
State control of colleges is to be pre-
ferred. Nor do l propose to inquire
whether ccnceding that denominational
colleges are desirable in this State,
there are more or fewer than could be
wished, nor shall l presume to decide
whether all Of them have attained that
degree of excellence and prosperity
which a disinterested observer might
deem commensurate with the toll and
treasure devoted to them. That is a
matter chiefly of interest to those who
have bestowed the toll and the treas
ure; my inquiry therefore is what
kinds of work in promoting education
have the denominational colleges done
which the University could not have
done? answer:
l. They have awakened local inter-
| noN .1t -. 49,
neighborhoods. From obvious causes
many persons within a radius Of few
miles from the site of each college. who
would otherwise not have been stirred
to obtain collegiate training have been
drawn TO a course of study.
2. The colleges have in general
way done something to awaken i'll the
churches an interest in higher educa-
tion. The denomination which con-
trolls the management of the college is
naturally led TO set some value on the
object the college has in view.
3. More specifically we may say the
denominational colleges have been able
to stimulate ministers and prominent
laymen to vigorous work in commend
ing the higher education which the col
leges were founded to impart. The in
! debtedness OF these institutions 10 the
country ministers cannot lie overesti-
mated. But it is easy to see that the
college controlled by their own religious
brethren would generally secure from
them an exceptional amount of work in
raising recruits for the college classes.
4. The colleges have beyond all
question raised large amount OF mon
ey for educational purposes, which
wonld never have been given to the
University, and in all probability would
in no way have been applied to the
support of schools Of any kind. The
property held by the colleges in this
State must, judge, be at least 81 ,000.-
900, hardly penny of which would
have been brought through any other
channel to the help of education.
3. The denominational colleges have
directly induced a certain number OF
young men who woald not otherwise
have found their way TO college, TO
take full course Of trtininy as pre-
paration for the ministry
q. There is yet another Kind Of work
which has been done under the roofs
OF the colleges, though it is not strict
ly collegiate work. refer TO the pre-
paratory schools, which all OF them
have conducted. In these various
ways then the denominational colleges
have done educational work which in
large part, IL not wholly, would have
been undone but for them. / have at
tempted to set forth fairly and. frankly
the results which the colleges have been
able To compass, and which the Uni
versity could not have accomplished.
Let me now attempt with equal frank
ness aud fairness to set forth some re-
suits which the University from its or
ganiZation aud relation TO the State
has been able TO accomplish, which
could not have been reached by any
one of the denominational colleges or
by all OF them combined.
/. BY the national endowment and
by the Legislative appropriations il has
been enabled in single generation to
procure an equipment OF buildings.
faculties, libraries, cabinets. and sp-
partus which denominational college
would probably not have secured in n
century, il indeed it could have ever se-
cured il. This is n fact of immense
consequence TO Michigan, and is the
justification, il any is needed, of the
wisdom Of the people of the State in
establishing and fostering the Univer-
sity. The support of the University
has not, think, been felt by the State
to be a serious burden. Yet its grounds
buildings and equipment are ut q
= moderate estimate valued at nearly
half n million OF dollars, and its annu-
al income is abont 100000. Had the
University never been founded no col
lege in Michigan could have gathered
such resources until after generations.
2. With its large museums, its we'll.
developed microscopical department
aud laboratories. aud its large corps OF
teachers, il is able TO supplement the
instruction in the colleges by special
aud advanced training in branches
whose elements they may be teaching
very well.
3. The University is able 10 furnish
in its technical aud professional
schools kinds Of instruction which the
/. denominatiousl colleges do not under.
; take 10 furnish aud which nevertheless
the State greatly needs.
4. 1 have cheerfully admitted that
the deLominational colleges have in
; various ways interested in education
many persons whom the University
would not have reached. Now, wish
. 10 claim that the University on it's part
has interested in higher education
many Of our citizens, whom the col.
II = n.