Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1880-01-29

cal and, as it we're, an applied one
and hence valuable at all times and il
all places, in coming life.
''Llfe is real, life is earnest" an(
any education to be of chiefest value
must be such an one, as will enable it.
possessor to act well his or her par
in any 'field of strife upon which
he or she may enter when college
doors shall close and school DAYS arc
numbered. ..,a. -. 4.
Thus much by way of general sug.
gestion and illustration as to what is
esteemed valuable education and its
real ends ana purposes, leads me to
the performance Of the duty assigned
me, criticism upon female colleges
In the way of suggesting some OF
their good and bad qualities, their
advantages and disadvantages.
Female colleges have, since the
earliest days of our history, existed
and with the common school, the
academy, the boys schools, the semi
naries, colleges and universities make
UP the educational facilities of the
whole country. They are highly
priced by vast numbers, and by many
esteemed 10 he absolutely essential to
our educational system. Still, look
at them as may, judging them with
the broadest charity, 1 fail to find
any substantial advantage peculiar to
them.
They have many charms and at
fractions to the yonng girl; there is
much about them which,. to some pa
rents, is fascinating, but when tested
by the standard of practical results,
they are found wanting. Such ad-
vantages as these colleges possess are
common to all colleges, and hence need
not Ee discussed or even suggested.
In my judgment, the principal OBJ
lection to any female college is,
that it exists at all.
There is no proper place or Office
for any of them, in any wisely con-
ceived scheme, for the education of
our youth. The boys and girls of
this republic should be educated in
the same schools, by the same teach
ers and professors, through the same
curriculum, to the same extent and
for the same purpose. Hand IN hand
''they twain should climb the hill of
science together, even TO its very
summit.
Our Heavenly Father never made a
mistake, and hence,it was no error in
the orderings Of His providence, that
boys and girls were permitted to be
born into and become factors of the
same household, to be reared and
educated together, so far as home
education and discipline is concerned /;
nay, we can readily see that such Or
dering was Of Infinite wisdom.
The strength and boldness, the
self-reliance and ambition of the boy
will be reflected upon the girl, giving
their invaluable influence to her ;
while he will imbibe of her modestv,
purity, refined taste, love of the beau
tiful, tender affection and filial piety,
thus smoothing the asperities of bis
nature, restraining his superfluous
strength, curbing and disciplining bis
turbulent passions, indeed, blending
----. ,~--------.--vs-- 1soUuct wrvl
the s'Suaviter in modo" of the sis
ter; thus making a noble manhood
and womanhood.
To the co-education Of the sexes
in our colleges, there can be no obicc-
ton or obstacle that cannot, as vel
be said, to exist against the rearing
of sons and daughters, in the same
family. While, in favor of such CO
education, IS every sound argumen
and analogy, and the very character
istics of the human mind common tC
both sexes or peculiar to either, to
sether with every demand of thi
utiIitarian age. No reason can b'
assigned, why the young woman
should not pursue the same cours'
Of studies in our colleges as thu
young man. That she is able to Il,
so and with distinguished success, i
demonstrated by the experience o
our State University and Norma
Schools, and the full thirty year
practical results of Oberlin College
with its annual catalogue of over
thousand students. Certainly in tn
direction Of education, woman is nc
the weaker vessel
Am l asked, to what good purpos
does she pursue the same line an
, course of study with her brother
. The answer is at hand. The bar
the pulpit, the platform, the profes
/ sor's chair and the tripod of the ed
tor, are being filled alike by men an
: women. The medical profession, s
1 well rs all the fields of literary an
4 scientific investigation, are not onl
< open for the incoming Of women, bt
l into all these they are tiocking wit
e distinguished honor to themselves :
e we'll as untold blessing to the world
while all the industries, trades an
: arts are being prosecuted, as well h
e women as by men.
: Why, then, shall not women in OF
G colleges, have the same course
y studies, pursue them as long and
c thoroughly, with as careful researt
o and as profound results, as man?
u There, is still another argumen
=, why young women should be as broa
" ly, as thoroughly, as completely ed
=, Gated as young men, which is pecr
y lar to her. and to which no answ
p can be found. The girls, in Or abo
e to enter our colleges to-day, In a fl
- years will be the matrons of the cou
se s try and as such, will be charged wi
's e the early education Of the youth fl
~ the first ten or twelve years Of thu
" existence. .- '.
,r These domestic teachers, duri
J. these years, will occupy above all Of
lg er positions in life, the most respon
i. bic, and for the performance Of t
le delicate duties of which is requir
/, the broadest, fullest and most thorou
re mental discipline that can be deriv
ID from profoundest scholarship. Rig
K teaching of the children by the mo-
al ers in early life, during such a 81
De ceptible age, will lay the foundati
I'd for the grandest future intellect
lie results and achievements; while