The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-08-06
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.

EDITORS CLARION. In your paper OF the
10th ult, you have copied an editorial from the
aBaptist Record" entitled, "The Destructive
Policy of the State University" The policy
referred to is that of maintaining High School,
or Preparatory Department, and aboiishng
tuition fees in IT, The editor of the Record has
blundered in facts and in reasoning. He Is net
singular in this Similar mistakes, 10 use a
mild term, have been made in loosely written
pamphlets and circulars aud ill-considered
speeches ia and out of our Legislature Nheth-
er the attacks upon the University result from
ignorance, or a design injnre this institution,
which should receive the fostering care of our
people, and be a source of pride TO Us all, 1t Is
proper at length to meet them with facts and
leave no room for mistake.
The editorial referred to has these passages:
Congress donates fund for founding and
supporting a University not High School
Now the truth is, it is using this money as it
was not intended to be used, when Preparato-
nv School Is supported. If we are mistaken ON
this point, very we'll Upon the supposition
that it is legitimate to the fund to establish
one High School it would be to establish a
dozen or more" The GOODNESS of the editor IN
making SO grave charge as breach OF trust
against the Trustees of the University, men not
unknown and esteemed TO be OF moderate
honesty and intelligence, is quite remarkable
If we are mistaken ON this point very wei :"
1t seems a matter OF indifference with him
whether he is mistaken our not. Most people
prefer not to mistaken. Would it be asking
too much of "A minister-the editor of religious
newspaper-that he should adhere to facts.
Make assertions only when he knows he Is
correct and charge no otiense against the public
in ignorance or carelessness?
Congress did not donate fund for founding
and supporting Lnicersity in Mississippi, but
did donate township of land ''for the support
of Seminary of Learning therein"
The Act of Congress of February 20, 1919,
thus makes the donation
"In addition to the township of land
granted for the support OF Jefferson College,
there shall be granted in the said State another
township or quantity of land equal thereto, to
be located in tracts of not less than four entire
sections, each, which shall be vested in the Leg
isIature of said State in trust, for the support
of a Seminary. of Learning therein" This
is al the act contains to the character of
the school While the word college" is used
in connection with another institution, differ
ent and more comprehensive term is adopted as
10 our great ut NpAu CftttNfsFS AShN'
found in the act.
The learned Editor, by consulting any APP
proved dictionary of our language, will find
that the word Seminary from its derivation and
use, means a school, where, especially, the
diments of an education are taught. He will
find it was derived from the Latin word Semen,
''seed:" hence Semindriun,, ga seed plot, nur-
sery ground where seed is sown for producing
plants" Hence, ga place of training, an insti-
tuition of education, School, Academy, College
or University, in which young persons in
structed in the several branches of learning,
which may qualify them for their future en-
Payments"
Legislators are supposed to use language
adopted to express their intention. Congress
used the phrase Seminary of Learning on
purpose. The donation was made in 1919,
when, in the new State of Mississippi, there
were no high schools to fill the classes of a Uni
versity proper. Congress gave to the Legisla-
ture, in trust, be it remembered, fund intend
ed to supply school of education, suited to
the wants and condition of the peOpe and to
Support" the Seminary, that education might
be free to ALL rich and poor, humble and exalt-
ed. The Trustees carried out the object of the
donation in letter and spirit in maintaining
a high school and abolishing tuition fees. The
schools of the State not supplying students
properly prepared to fill up the freshman class
in the University. The whole Faculty will so
testify. The High School is needed part and
adjunct of the State Seminary to ground the
students in the elements, the semiHG, of educa-
ton, to enable him to move ON, without lar in
an approved rountne of studies, to the attain
men of the highest order of University educa-
ton.
All Universities, all Colleges in this country
find these Preparatory schools necessary to
their well being, and have them, either directly
under their management or patronized and in
great measure controlled by them as to the
methods and course of study.
1t is hardly necessary to notice the attempted
rettuetiO al ubSttfdts of the editor, who saws ii
High School can be maintained under the
donation, dozen more may. The very
simple answer to this is, Congress gave authority
to establish one Seminary, not more.
The Legislature holds the donation i'm trust |
1t was given, accepted. VIII not the /
Legislature come to an account? Is it right or !
dignifed in a sovereign State to play the role Of
a recusant custodian of trust funds, worse |
STILL be subject to the suspicion of dedication
defacation to her children? Chaucery /
Courts in such cases would compel an indiyid- /
ual TO account punish him for contempt. 1t /
is high time that the amount of the principal /
fund should be ascertained and acknowledged |
and the income therefrom be all honestly APP
piled to free public education, that the Legisla-
ture may clear its skirts and use this income as
it is in honor bound, by having assumed the
ing" The University asks aims, but claim