The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-06-04
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA.

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that whatever action It may take In regard to
the State University will be resolved upon
only after the maturest elaboration. The
people Of the whole State, and particularly
those Of New Orleans have cherished just
pride In the proper maintenance Of this insti-
tuition, which, during It's existence Of nearly
half century, has dispensed the benefits OF
q liberal education throughout the State, and,
through Its medical department, throughout
the entire South and Southwest. We, there
fore. commend to the members Of the Con-
vention careful perusal Of the printed me-
mortal Of the university, laid on their desks
last Monday morning, which gives In plain
and concise manner the history Of this instt-
tuition, Id regard to which members should
certainly inform themselves before voting on
80 grave a proposition as that to abolish 1t.
Many grave reasons can be urged on either
side OF this proposition. In favor Of the per-
petuation OF the institution and an annual
contribution to Its support by the State aside
from the sentimentalism Of State PRIDE there
are many practical considerations which are
entirely worthy OF notice. The mere mention
OF the fact that III Louisiana alone, Of all the
States OF the Union, does the civil law prevail,
Immediately suggests the almost imperative
necessity OF the State maintaining an institu-
ton where the young man proposing to enter
the legal profession can acquire the proper
training, which no other American college
supplies, In her peculiar system Of laws. This,
too, is an argument which applies with more
directness Of force to the country than to the
city. In New Orleans young man need not
unless he prefer to do so, attend the law
school. He may read law at home, or in
an office, and enjoy the advantages OF the
best libraries and attendance on the various
courts, and, at the same time, be enabled to
familiarize himself with the practice. In the
country the case Is far different-there libra
ries, at least the works Of theoretical writer's,
are scarce, costly and hard to obtain. Tho
courts seldom meet and but rarely discuss
complicated questions, especially Of mercan-
tile law, and it Is essential that the young
man, who aspires to become good and sound
lawyer, should take at least one course at our
to decry the legal profession, but in those
countries where a better knowledge Of the
fundamental principles Of law than most Of
our licentiates possess, is regarded as essen
tial to polite education, the profession Is not
50 regarded, and, probably, II something were
done to elevate rather than degrade 1t, quite
q different sentiment would prevail among
us and something In this direction should
be done.
The argument in favor of preserving the
medical department is not less valid. The
diseases peculiar to this climate and there
are many OF them-can nowhere be studied to
better advantage than in New Orleans For
this reason alone, medical college should be
maintained 70 this latitude and New Orleans
V the only place where such an institution
could exist Tor the reason that nowhere else
!. ooaid ne same professional talent be secured