The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-01-22
The University SWindle

On next Tuesday. the 22d, the Uni
versity bill will come up for discussion
in the House of Representatives at Co
luu,bia. In the proper settlement OF
this question the public generally feel a
very intense interest, and the final action
of the General Assembly will be looked
for with increasing anxiety. 1t matters
not how much may be said to the con-
trary, the movement does not rcet with
chat popular favor necessary to its per-
feet success. The advocates of the bill
may talk about State pride" "hicher
education" the wishes Of the admins
tration," and tho pledges Of the party
rs much as they like; neither argument
nor all together, in any way justify the
establishment of such an institution at
present or warrant the passage OF an act
for such provision in the future. Gov.
Hampton in his different messages has
issued no uncertain sound upon the all
important subject Of education; but in
recommending the establishment of two
universities, one for our white and the
other for oar colorsd youth. he mistakes
the real importance Of such ''mark OF
progress" misapprehends the wishes oil
his most earnest supporters, and over
estimates the ability Of the people to
hear such burden. Our great noces.
sity is a perfect system Of free schools,
in which the youth of the land, white
aud black, boys and girls, car be taught
common English education and fitted
f,r the ordinary and more exactins du-
ties of life. The operation of such a
system has been amply provided for, and
AN annual sum Of nearly half 4 million
dollars set apart for the proper support
of the free schools Of the State. These
schools are to be taught by fair and ln-
partial men. the standard Of scholarship
i to BE- raised aud slch other improve
mcn,s inauguraled as will make them
to supply every educational necessity
Of the people. Further than this the
legislature has no right to 60. Ii att'r
thorough training in tho common
schools there is desire for broader
intellect and "higher education" every
possible advantage is furnished by the
splendid colleges already established
and now in active aud efficient opera
ton ia the State. Not many men will
take" college education, or having
gone through all the motions OF grad
uatiou, will he any the more useful than
if they had been fitted out in the old
field school alone. So far the practical
details of every day lifr nro concerned
it matters not to the average man
whether the world rrvolvcs in space
or rests upon the back Of Hercules. II
he is able to count tic cost OF his crops
and keep square with the world, he has
all the education that he needs or would
receive if he were sent to every uniyer-
sity in Christcndom. Wcaro al earnest
advocate of every measure calculated to
lessen in any way the SUN Of human
suffering, and we would encourage all
the nobler and better aspirations of our
natures; we would make every man an
intellectual giant, but we would not ROB
the taxpayers of their little substance
to build up an institution for the rduca-
ton Of thoss who are able to educate
themselves, to supply "nNcessi'y
which does not exist. and to weaken
down the venerable colleges which f9r
years have done patriotic aud noble
work. without asking aud without re-
ceiving any help from the State govern
ment
Some OF the advocates Of the Unlver-
sity scheme speak sheeringly OF The late
council of college presidents ut Green
vile. and ask BY what warrant sueh n
convention was held, By the same an'
thority by which chambers Of commerce
meet to regulate the affairs OF trade oy
which bankers meet, consult and pro-