Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-01-27
ICoMMUNIcArED.
ST.. JoHE's CoLLEGE,
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. IS, 1881.

Editors OF me SLs mary 8 DeucON -
Before the holidays, innoccntly enough,
/ took occasion TO address 10 your pa
per communication on the subject Of
st. Johns College. | did not mean to
antagonize the opinions or criticize the
actions OF any one in reference TO the
college, but felt grateful for my advsn-
iages here and in sympathy with the
forts of our Principal in behalf of the
college and what believe, not selfish
Iy, the educational interest OF the State.
Your readers will therefore understand
and appreciate my motive, and have
no doubt contrast il with lhe spirit of
reply of Mr. Frank N, Holmes, who mis-
takingly as think, considered my ar
tiole as claiming his particular at,en-
ton, IN order to controvert the views
expressed therein and to destroy any
favorable impression il might make IN
the interest OF the college.
Ii would i'll become me 10 enter into
a controversy with former member Of
the Legislature who saw ft to oppose
the bill for the benefit Of The college.
am not supposed 10 know great deal
about past legislation on the subject, or
whether or moi past appropriations we're
always judicIously expended. The State
has an interest in the college property,
however, and may make the college IT,
self ilourlshlng and useful institution
of learning. The Stale is being can
yassed by DR., Leavi.t, the Principal,
Tor the purpose of telling The people how
this may be done and what advantages
and facilities they may have as a means
Of higher education for the rich and poor
alike. When he visits 81. Mays, he
will be able and willing TO answer those
questions which Mr.. Holmes would en-
gage me to answer.
But there are one or two statements
in Mr.. Holiness article which ! will
answer The great Webster once said
that, II he had little Of the spirit which
Is able TO rafse mortals 10 the skies, he
thanked God that he yet had none Of
that other spirit which would drag an
gels down Your readers will make
She PROPER application have no doubt.
Mr.. Holmes has none "ol that other
(chautable) spirit For mentioning
hin uame and MI Yrbntcrs tusrthct,
however, | beg pardon. Still, one
would suppose, while reading Mr..
/ Holiness article, tbat be was, or At
least thought himself to be. great man.
To make this the more apparent, be
would extend his broad shoulders 10
bear Whatever blame might attach TO
the representatives from 81. Mays lor
opposing the bill Tor the benefit Of 81.
Johns College. Ofcourse, Mr.. Combs
IS exempt, tor the bill did not reach the
Senate, Of which Mr. Combs was a
worthy member; for how could IT when
Mr. Frank N. Holmes, as be would
I have us understand, stood a gigantic
legislative Hercules in the way Of IT,
, passage m the body Of which he was a
worihy( y member; But Mr.. Graves >
f case is not so clear; he must be protected
Mr.. Graves, Mr.. Holmes would have rs
understand, il he voted against the bill,
did so with reluctance, so powerful
was Mr.. Holmes influence over his
colleague that be must be controlled by
Mr.. Holmes even against his conscien-
tious conviclloas and judgment. Bah
don't believe il. The mere insinua-
ton Is an insult 10 Mr. Graves. II Mr..
Graves voted against the bill, he did so
from his own convictions OF right, and
not because it was "streuuously OPP
posed by his colleague" and the nsin-
uation that he did otherwise deserves,
if il has not already received, sheer
OF contempt from the people of ST. Ma
rvs.
In support Of the educational views
which he entertains, Mr.. Holmes quotes
| Buckle, the author Of the History OF
Civilization in England; indeed, he has
stolen from Buckle all the general ideas
OF bis article that are worth reading, and
what is worse, he has marred them in
the stealing. Mr.. Buckle is full of such
distractions, which are about as appli-
cable 10 the practical side Of society as
the Utopian ideas of Sir Thomas More.
It is to break away the barrier between
classes that st. Johns College should
be sustained. The public schools, the
High schools are open to the rich and
poor alike. The humblest boy attend
ing these schools may become a candi-
date for admission into the college
( may enter and graduate, and start life
on equal footing with the best, and be-
come representative of his class in the
highest departments of public or pro.
fessIonal lie. But, by taking away this
means, the poor boy whatever his ge-
MUS or talents, must be confined TO the
lower schools and 10 secondary educa-
lion alone, thus keeping apartihe classes
which in the interest OF all, should APP
proach each other in education as near
y as possible. Will Mr.. Holmes ven
ture TO controvert this proposition by
distractions from Buckle Or perhaps
Swift would answer, who by the bye
wrote more wisely than he knew, if by
the Statesmen" in the language Mr..
Holmes borrows from that author, are
meant such as Mr.. Holmes has exhibit
, ted himself TO be- But instead Of Sc
much Buckle and Swift, Mr.. Holmes
would put his fine in more wisely in
studying his school textbooks in order
10 elevate his rank among the school
/ teachers of the county.