The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-01-25
The State College for Females Hon.
WI. Harperss Reply to Rev. III
Hunnicutt

EDIToRs CLARION: 1t is with surprise
observe in a recent issue, a communication
from the Rev. w. L. G. Hunnicutt oppos-
ing. and even ridiculing the effort now
made to have the women of our State edu-
Gated by the State in the higher sciences
and useful occupations, as IS now being
done for her boys I would have supposed
a gentleman of his cloth and mental train
ing would have perceived the subject to be
too serious for jest, and too important and
obviously just in itself TO be laughed out
of court.
1t is not for me to deeipher the exact
idea he may have of State University for
females, or of their capacity to be benefited
thereby. 1t may be his opinion that sex
extends to intellect, and that nature has i'm
pressed upon that of woman an inferiority
equal to her physical powers. 1t may be ne
thinks her training should be as in the past,
more ornamental than substantial, and her
life-particularly of poorer classes-doomed
forever to the wearing routine and drudgery
of domestic life only. In short, it is not 50
plain what he thinks, as that he appears
never to have thought much on the subject.
Now the friends Of female education con-
ceiye it to be the duty of the State to do no
less for her daughters than her sons, or
more if possible, because they are more de
pendent and less able to battle with the
hard life the times have imposed upon them.
They would have them prepared as the
boys now are, by free education to teach in
all the branches of science needed in the
practical affairs of life, and to make their
own support by the lighter mechanical pur-
suitssuited to their strength, such as pho
biography, telegraphy and the like.
They would have them, by education,
made independent and selfsustaining and
enabled to exert those abilities they evil
IDENTIFY possess on par with their brothers,
for their own good and their country's.
They conceive that as the State has I'M
dertaken to educate its youth as well upon
the university as the common school sys-
tenn, the work will never be complete till
all classes, and both sexes, are made the
benefciaries of it. Nor is 1t any argument
against the undertaking that our common
school system is yet so imperfect. Let the
friends Of public education do what they
can, and get all the aid they can for either
or both. They do not conflict, nor will aid
to one interfere with the other.
This Legislature seems progressive one.
Its membership is intelligent, and, what is
more to the purpose, earnest. may or
may no: ordain college for the education
of females, or devise ways and means to in
crease the common school fund, but it is
certainly anxious to do both if possible
without burthening the tax payer too
much. There are college buildings ready
to be donated to the State, whenever such
bill should pass, capable of accOmmo-
dating nearly one hundred boardefs, at
very little additional cost And | suppose
the only objection any member has is The
expense To the State, and will not contend,
as the above named gentleman does, that it
is not needed.
It is certainly news that we have enough
schools of any sGFt, especially of high grade.
The cry has been and tue fact is quite the
contrary. No one would venture nov TO
condemn the action of that Legislature that
established the A. and NJ. College. The
passage of sOne such measure on behalf Of
our helpless daughters would be the dis
tinguishing feature of this one.
w. L. HARPER.