The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-02-01

Fprrons cLAaIos ] hava p Teo0Ile0


I FnrroRs CLARION have no recollec-
ton IF ever having written communica-
ltion for your paper on any subject. The
! above heading, however, and the fippant
manner in which an important ques ton
one actually before the Legislature of Mis-
s;ssippi. Is treated by Rev. w. L. g. Hun
nicutt in your issue Of the 18th inst,
prompts your correspondent to "a free and
nnreseryed communication of his senti-
ments'' on this attempt to defeat an educa-
tional enterprise that has sprung from the
people.
In the first place, bill to establish a
Female College was introduced in the
Legislature of Mississippi two years ago by
an able and estimable gentleman, the SEN
ator from Monroe county. The measure
was not then pressed to an issue because
the friends of the Agricultural College
urged its withdrawal That there was mu-
tual concession made at that time in the
interest of both enterprises, IS well
understood by active members OF both
Honses. Since that time the question has
been generally discussed in the newspapers
of the State, increasing In interest and pop
ular favor, until the press of Mississippi
with remarkable unanimity caught the key
note of public sentiment, and in advocating
the measure, simply gave expression to the
wishes of the people. This is what Mr.. w.
L. G. Hunnicutt may call his first breeze of
"a pretty strong newspaper eot1ad.
A further evidence of the deep hold which
this question had on the public mind, we
find the Trustees of the State University
and of the Agricultural College discussing
the propriety of admitting young women
into these institutions. The discussion had
by these Boards of Trustees were not the
progeny of some spasmodic throe of senti-
mentality. The gentlemen composing these
boards have been selected for their intelli-
gence and valuable experience in educa-
tional matters, to conserve the public
good. They are men of sense, who I'M
derstand and know how to estimate and
appreciate the current of public opinion
on any question. They were honestly en-
deavoring to see if they could do anything
to meet this demand for higher education
of our girls, by throwing open to them the
doors of our respective institutions. so
Rev. w. L. c. Hunnicutt can have the ben
eft of this rs another puff of wind in his
feeble attempt to ridicule the action of men
who are as wise in good cause as others
are crafty in trying to pervert it.
Again, when the people OF Mississippi, by |
their chosen delegates, were assembled in
at jackson, last August, to Sc
lect the men who should administer the az
fairs of State during the next four years,
what position did this question then hold in
their estimation? Was the idea of a State
DNol Ill al
OF these men who came fresh from the peo-
pie, and whose views and wishes they as
sembled to represent? Was the Female
College then blosOn aside as a mere bunch of
newspaper bunkuna?
What says the Democratic Convention. q
body of men as true aud as noble as any
that had ever assembled in our capitol? Did
they first say to themselves, gentlemen, let
us formulate something that will tickle the
fancy of the people of Mississippi, let us
put on paper A Sentimental University. "
Did they do this and then come out in all
the gravity of a most specific and compre
hensive declaration and say:
ReSolvsd, That as Mississippi has made lib
eral provision for the education of all her
sons this Convention declares il to be the
with an ample endowment, State institution
fer the education of our daughters.
What did the Democratic State Conven-
ton mean by the unanimous adoption of
his resolution? Did these honorable gem
5lemen act in good faith and mean whar
hey said The question is did they no
10 what the people of Mississippi desired
md expected them to do? IF the Demo-
,ratic party of Mississippi proposes to triAe n
With grave questions of public interest and
% maintain conservative power, the time /
If disintegration is at hand and her day of (
calamity is soon to follow. Will the party in a
'ower tamper with the people in the manner /
by Mr.. Hunnicutt when he speaks +
# the establishment of an institution for h
ur girls as "a caIamitioas folly"
What pity that this Scion had not lived d
n the time of Lycurgus to have given some r
God advice to that great law-makerl =
But as wisdom is justified of her children,
ct US make another estimate of Mr.. HIS
Judgment and spirit touching this matter n
l would not compare, but contrast his
reezy blast of ridicule with the strong,
God sense and manly adherence to justice
$ set forth in the last message of Governor
tone. Ifthere is a man in Mississippi who \
Understands the wishes aud wants of our
eople, it must be such a man as Gov. J. NJ. II
tone, who for six years has been in a posi-
ion to enable him to form correct iudgv
lent on all questions of public welfare. tt
Read his clear and just presentation of st
ais subject; N