Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-23
SALUTATORY.

The CAPITOLlAN mas klndly OHeIed
to give the University hearing in its
columns, through which it can reach
those of it's readers who are interested in
educational questions. In availing our
selves of this privilege, we do not pro-
pose to engage ourselves to the formal
or elaborate discussion of the questions
which are stirring the public mind, but
merely to contribute something toward
quickening the apathetic spirit of our
peoplelon the most vital and Imperative
of all the great questions which press
upon us at this tme-the education of
our youth. In SO far as we live for Others
for those near and dear ones of our
households who are growing up TO take
our places, when we are gone-this is,
indeed, the profonndest of all the prob
lens of political life. We know that in
our own day and generation, we are
struggling against memorable social and
political conditions, which must and
will hamper and shackle all our efforts.
But wehave right to hope, that if the
rising generation grows up stalwart in
mind and body, lofty in rectitude ofpur-
pose, and trained to do well the work
which comes to its hand, that our new
South, our recreated Louisiana, will
come to the front again in national pros
perity and in moral and intellectual
leadership. Nothing short of this should
satisfythe aspirations ofour people. They
are of stock and lineage not second TO
any existing race or community. Their
traditions are glorious. They have with
in themselves all the elements of pros
perity--youthful and progressive blood,
experience in art and arms, soil, eli
mate, geographical pre-eminence, and
the high courage of IA martial, energetic,
uncomfortable race. We WiN not be
trampled under foot, nor crowded to the
rear Verify, the star of Louisina is like
unto the sun of the Psalmist, (which
cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his
chamber, and rejoiceth as giant to run
his course
When Prussia lay crushed and man
gled from the terrific blows of Napoleon
not yet risen again to the height OF thai
great argument in which she made he
reprisal on France, Wilhelm Won Hum
boldt uttered these oracular words: "Th'
thing is not to let the Schools and Uni
yersities go on in a drowsy and impoten
routine the thing is, to raise the cultur
of the nation ever higher and higher b.
their MEANS"
This must be our text. This must b
our lesson.
We must awaken we must arise
We must arouse ourselves from apath
and Grid on our strength, build up tn
schools and the colleges and the Univel
sity and give every son of the State til
chance to do the best that is in hin
Let each school furnish food and noul
ishment for the minds and souls of on
children; let each college be a tru
gymnasium, where the mental thew
and sinews may be hardened and il
yigorated; and give to the University I'll
means 'sto raise, the culture of our PEE
pie ever higher and higher" This
eur hope, and should be our aim.
In these informal notes and querie
these memoranda and suggestion
these hints for the many, we hope to
drawn nearer to our brethren of til
public school system, Of which we are
part, and by q mutual comparison
views with all interested IN education,
develop some things which may prov
for the benefit Of the State. We u
the indulgence of our readers, who W
remember that these columns are WI
ten or gathered by busy men, sedulor
diligent teachers, in the intrequent
teryals of business routine.