The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-08-18
THE A. AND NJ. COLLEGE.

Uzps CoUNrY, august -, 1881

ARB f.-i.-t K
IHND- County, august u, 1881.
EuG9E- CLARION II desire, through
urea'umu-, 30 call public attention to a
8,hapl.y So our recent State history which,
cgr.a-Iy enough, seems to yet be in a con
|fl-ei condition. ! refer to the Agricultural
anI Mechanical College, and the man, or
|men. who were primarily instrumental in
steuriag 60 the children of the state this
IN or.st iudu-triai education. ! assume to say
t,st -Ha rtu-. of higher educa-iou in Missis-
-iup. j.. marked by three important epochs
IT,. establishment and endowment of the
Is University at Oxford ; the Alcorn and
#rTau,4lo1 Universities for the education Of
q ,,j,reI uupil--auI the Agricultural and
Mechanical ClIege at SttrkviIle. Each one
H. fitness Is mile-po.t in educational prog
,.-s The influence OF the first has been
hi The second. of more recent origin, ana
made i necessity by the SOCIOLOGICAL changes
4 of the past H. years, are slowly and grad
uaiIv working out their mission among the
coIorsl Youth Of the State. But the third
represents am idea distinct and diYisible
from both the former. It embraces a sys-
ten, oE natural and rational education which,
IA shifting our times aud our people, j. OF
great utiitariaH Importance. In the early
DAYS af the Grange, when it was in the
zruitu of .ts power, the question of high
arr. r Uf education among agriculturists IN
which useful, practical aud scientific infor-
nation should De the foundation invited
the earnest study of its members. 1t became
IL To-. 4 humiliatiag thought in the order
that when child first looks upon the book
ofuature and ia bis prattiug, curious ways
enquiries of his elders the mysteries hidden
I'm lbs leaves. tine book is 80 many times closed
with q bang, and his attention directed to
she dry details of grammar and mathemat-
les. =, that 10y the force of circumstances
the brightest chiidfen of the farm, with
their minds instructed in childhood, in
after wears abandoned the ola homestead for
law ar commerce. And it often occurred
that thr subject was n3oted in the oranges,
the State. the counties. and subordinates,
and the discussion arose how to rectify this
grave error, and make the farm attractive
and remuuerItive. The writer we'll remehr
barS the frequency and earnestness OF these
debates From them arose this scheme. 1t
Is true that the origin Of the =. x NJ Col
ieee eaine right from the inner gates C! the
grange and received the unanimous sane
zion of the brotherhood, but as an historical
incident. the time certainly has arrived
when il should be definitely and conelusively
known who. within that circle, crystalized
,he floating ideas ;Hto organized thought,
and became by that act the founder of
great institution. Because while the grange
AS compact organization Of independent
farmers demanded, and finally secured the
passage OF the \. 4 NJ. College Bill yet it Is
proper and right to 90 further and ask
who among these farmers conceived the Idea'
and pushed it forward to success.
Upon the same reasoning we say the
army of the Colonies aided by our French
allies succeeded in wringing ais acknowledge
ment OF independence from the mother
country. but 81 the same time we take de
light ia remembering the 4th Of July, and
-
declaration. THE CLARION whose epportu-
mites for Information are surely equal to
any newspaper IN the State, and whose edl-
tor has been a consistent advocate of the
College since it was proposed, very justly, l
am constrained % believe, places the high est
credit to Hon. J. q. Nsllowley. TO this the
Chickasaw Messenger objects S2d in an edl-
torial Of some length, makes certain Sl-ega-
tions which l have eudeayored to condense
as follows:
Ii: 1874 in the State Grange. the ques-
ton was first advocated and bv w. l.. Hem
ingwav. j. Is. Yellowley, Put Darden, DR..
Phares. q. w Gil, Frank Barkitt and
many Others. 1t was continually advocated
until 1876 when the State Grange resolved
20 memorable the Legislature in its inter
ests. 4 committee was appointed, and, to
quote more directly from the Messenger,
eve think Hon. j. L. Yellowley was menl-
her of that committee. He subsequently
introduced a bill in the Legislature ofwhlef
H., - 4 member, which was defeated. In
ISIS Gems. Tucker and West prepared ano
;,+raa,cad Hills in the House and Senate re
spectiveIv. Gen. Vests bill passed the gen en-
ate and Gen. Tucker accepted the West bl':
and through his great efforts 1t became
law" This is shout what the Messenger
says. Now, giving these gentlemen grea
praise for their efficient services, detracting
nothing, submit the following 70 be . more
correct statement of facts, taken from my
own observation and from data now IN my
possession:
in 1876, not 1874, the subject of the Agrl
cultural College first received definite shape.
Mr.. J. b. Yellowley, the Master of Madison
County Grange, pioneer in the Grang'
movement, planter of large landed inter
ests. and member of the Legislature
ls76I77, introduced resolution providing
for the appointment of committee q
consider the expediency aud practicaollltl
of establishing under the auspices OF th'
Granle, an Agricultural and Mechanics
College" The resolution was adopted, ant
the following committee Of wellknown gen
tiemen appointed:
j: B. YelIowley, chairman, D. l. Phares
W. w. Troupe, w. G. Pegues, j. 4. Ihomp
son.
This committee recommended that spe-
cal committee be appointed to propose
plan for the College to be submitted 70 the
Legislature, together with q memorial pray
ing that the interest on the land scrip fund
- appropriated for this purpose and tina
soch ether additional legislation should D
1 . would seem proper and necessary