Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-21
The State University.

In another column Will be found q COM
munication from a graduate of the State
University at Athens, advocating the
claims Of that institution upon the pat
ronage of the people Of Georgia. The
views of the writer, who is we'll and
favorably known in this city aud COM
munitY, are sound and worthy of the
consideration not only of our own citi-
zens, but as well of the people of the
entire State.
The idea that a young man or a young
woman cannot be considered as having
received polished education" unless
he or she is sent to some distant State to
Finish off, is one which is very preva-
lent in Georgia. Yet never was there an
idea so mistaken. No State in the Union
places a higher value upon education
than does ours. 1t can safely be affirmed
that in no State are better or more ad-
vantageous opportunities afforded to
parents for bestowing upon their sons
and daughters, at nominal cost, an edu-
cation, which, if not so finished
as in some of the expensive and elabo-
rate high schools and academies of
the North, is sufficiently thorough for
all practical purposes, and certainly
forms good, substantial foundation
11f1ou xuhioh onrr ov,o b;t;o,,. bo1, ~ ~; i
can build upon for themselves. Apart
from our excellent system of public
schools maintained throughout the State
las instance of the thoroughness OF
which it may here be stated in paren.
thesis that in this city alone they com
prise every grade of schools, from
grammar schools, in which the pri
mary elements of learning are
taught, to the high schools, in which
a good substantial English, mathematical
and classical education can be secured.
These require the use of fifty rooms,
besides five rooms in the High School,
each room being in reality distinct
school, and in addition to these there are
also thirteen schools outside the city linn.
its which come under the supervision OF
our county Superintendent of Educa
tion) there are numberless private institu
tons located in all quarters of the State,
all of which enjoy high reputation for
care and ability in the instruction of
young men and women, and for fitting
them to pursue the higher branches of
learning in the University.
1t may thus be seen that there is no
necessity for any Georgian spending his
money outside the State upon the in
struction of his children. An education
embracing everything. from the simplest
rudiments of learning up to the very
highest standard of university training,
can be procured right here without the
slightest difficulty within the territorial
confines of Georgia. 1t is useless for us
to dilate upon the merits of the State
University. The superiority of its
faculty, its able management and the
completeness of its course are already
well known, and are besides
clearly stated in the communication
to which reference is made at the outset
of this article. If anything else was
needed to prove its intrinsic worth, it
can point to the many distinguished sons
of Georgia who justly feel pride at the
thought that it is their alma mater, and
that their names are upon the list of
its alumni.
When all these facts are considered,
and it is remembered besides that tuition
at that excellent seat of learning
with its headquarters in Athens and its
branches established in various sections
of the State-is free, there is no reason
why citizens of Georgia should not pat
rOnize and encourage this essentially
home institution. We therefore heartily
reiterate the sentiment contained in the
letter of our correspondent on this sub
ject. Not only should State pride in
duce Georgia parents to give their chill
dren a Georgia education, when such ed
ucation, though costing little, is as com
plete and thorough as any which can
be procured elsewhere, at enor-
nous expense, but, as our cores
pondent well says, friendships are thus
formed and acquaintance made between
Georgians which will prove of inestima-
bic advantage in after years. Such &C.
quaintances and friendship are always
firm and lasting. They tend to unite
the future men of Georgia in bonds of
true fellowship, and create among her
citizens not only regard for each other
but a sincere love for their State, which
must form a bulwark of strength upon
which she can at all times, in
moments of difficulty and dan
ger, as well in prosperity and wealth,
safely rely. 1t is patriotic duty, there
fore, which Georgians owe to themselves
and their commonwealth that they
should encourage their State University,
and it is to be hoped that the time may
soon come when the highest ambition of
our citizens will be to become worthy
alumni of that honored institution.