Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-04-14

ST.. crrnrnr.s R,r. anril mi. IAN

posed to all appropriations to Colleges and
Academies and maintain that the laborine
masses receive no benefit whatever from them,
nor have been shaken in my opinion by argu-
ments in opposition TO my views. II is stated
by one Of your correspondents that many Euro
pean States foster similar institutions and that
several Of the United States have been more
bountiful in their liberaity In this respect than
Maryland, and that Baltimore city alone appro-
PIRATES $6S, 900 annually to her higher insttu-
tons Of learning TO which she points with pride.
i will not trouble myself to controvert all
these statements which rest entirely upon the
authority Of "Semloh," but will refer to the
TACT that what has been found applicable and adj
vantageous to monarchcal forms of government
are wholly inapplicable and often injurious to
republican institutions. And as a sort Of veri-
featiOn of this fact, will quote "Maury," who
says, 'Chili like Mexico and most Of the Span
ish American Republics, has good common
schools that are supported out OF the public
treasury, and TO which all who will may send
their children" but whilst referring to the fine
colleges, he does not lead you to believe that
these republics appropriate one dollar toward
any of thom.
Who would think ofincreasing the Presidents
salary because the Queen Of England and the
| Emperor of Germany receive annually much
larger sums Who would think of decreasing
| the rate of wages In the United States because
various European nations are unable TO Pay half
the amount allowed our laborers7 To resort TO
arguments Of this sort would be TO induce US TO
abandon republican institutions and TO adopt
| the forms most common 10 Europe
To break down the barrier between classes
has been the wise policy Of this country, while
| foreign countries have sought to mark more
clearly and distinctly the difference between the
nobility and the peasantry. We wait good cit
liens. good artisans and effective and well paid
lsborcrs rather than educated mobiles, poor me
chanics and feeble and ill-paid laborers
But let Us hear what the ablest writers on POI
litcal economy mot professors holding snecures)
say In reference 10 the subject ] r. Eisdeli
on the industry Of nations says MANY eopsid-
erations lead 10 the conclusion that government
interference in the advancement aud diffusion Of
knowledge wers 70 be deprecated rather than de-
sired. Universities and colleges under govern.
ment patronage have been most commonly the
seats and sinsc10 OF idleness and exploded err
rors."
Adam Smith, Ian earlier date, speaking orsueh
i2stitu,ionG In Scotland declares that, 'far from
se half alien @sde grog5ess during Ps enc
ard the abilities ofthc teachers and the desire 70 he
taught have in several instances suffered dimi-
mutton" itmight be expected that these econ
oInisis, being Injured TO monArChcal forms and
20 class legislation, would express themselves with
less hrmbess.
Germany appropr:atcs more toward lhese high
ar institutions Of learning than any other Euro
pean State. "None viii compare with her, "
SAYS Buckle, for the number of her learned
men; none with the United States for the gtus
raj diffusion OF knowledge aud the rapid advance
in civilization, " but even GermAny's ability 10
boast Of learned men Is the exception rather than
the rule. After referring to the countless in
stances OF the faliacy, the impoliey and absurdi-
ty OF the fostering care Of the State Buckle
dwells at considerable length upon the sO-called
reign Of splendor Of Louis XIV. Of France
No ruler sought more earnestly 20 perpeiuais
his name by an extremely liberal policy towards
Colleges aud Academies Than Louis, yet noiwith-
standing his reign extended through half a CEN
tary there was no man u ability that France
tould boast Of while previous aud subsequent
periods under less liberal rulers. have furnished
men OF distinguished abiliiy--stars that have
shed their ustrc upon the French nation.
Bcsides who acquainted with French history
can doubt that Louis libcrality was the chief
followed and who would begin TO calculate iis
unfortunate results Vast as may be our con
ception ofinjury, II viii I've inadequate to mea-
sure the extent Of harm the French people we're
made heir U by his unwisc and TO a certain
tent selfish liberGli;y.
To this impoliiic and unwise libcrality may he
traced the financial embarrassment and civil dis
cord aud blood shed, with all their cOncUmtaRt
horrors which shook the nationality Of the French
A. ~. Al.
and sOlidity Of the foundation Of society depends
the permanence and beauty Of the anpe-sIructurc,
these difficulties which seemed, Mt one time, about
10 oyerwhem France, would have bern avoided
for be would have provided for the education OF
the masses 10 the extent Of the pecuniaTy ability
OF the State and left higher culture 10 It's own
rangement. Az this system becomes more robust
with age, II becomes, rs ii were, part Of the
nation and there Is no limit to rs extension ave
by revolution Each State must have Colleges
and Academies fostered at the public charge;
each county must have them; each district In
each county must have them, and they are each
equally entitled TO them. We may then discoY-
er the disease, but il viii be too late 10 apply
remedy.
Heriert Spencer in bis work on Education, 10
o chapter entitled, "What knowledge is Of most
worth 2" clearly and lorcibly states, that chill
drcn should be taught that which they will be
and that higher culture and the fine arts should
be left to individual eAertion, and should occupy
the leisure moments Of ones life. That is, the
State should make us useful before ornamental,
and having made as useful we will soon be en-
abled 10 make ourselves ornamental.
Horace Greeley, a self-made man, and one Of
the latest aud Abest political writer's, declares II
economy TO advance as far as possible popular
education, but not one word can be found in his
political economy upon the advantages Ofhigher
institutions Of learning. If II had been wisdom
in sbe State TO assist Colleges and Academies by
appropriation, il is not likely that a statesman
like Greeley, bred Ia our midst Injured 10 our
habits Of thought, acquainted with our customs
and thoroughly conversant with the political
machinery Of this country, would have neglected
to dwell upon the advantages 10 be derived from
such expenditures Of the public money.
SO much against the system. The statement
that Baltimore city appropriates sos, 600 annu-
ally to her colleges is without foundation. In
formation direct from the city Comptroller,
Joshua Vansaut, 10 to effect, that mot one dol
lar is appropriated to Colleges and Academies
outside Of the public school system, which Is sup
ported with bouuliful libcrali,y"
have no means at hand by which can as
certain what amounts, II any, are appropriated
by other States, but having shown that Sem
loh" was mistaken in one statement, IL is fair TO