The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-02
University OF Vermont.

High schools and academies throughout
the state have graduated their yearly
classes of young men and women who
have reached the ultima thule in the course
of study these institutions provide. Some
have begun the course with the prede-
termined purpose of entering college and
the college is also matter of conclusive
Encouragement. The route by which
they propose to reach a "liberal educa-
ton " is selected, and they have taken
through ticket, subject only to such de-
lays and changes as accident or contin-
gencies may create. With others, and
perhaps the greater part, the question of
a collegiate course is a matter of debate,
and the institution in which their studies
shall be resumed subject of much seri-
GUS consideration. We do not propose to
discuss the desirability of a collegiate
education. We have no more doubt of
the advantage to youth of the best obtain
able education than we have of the ad-
vantage of well-developed, well-matured
and well.trained physical system. A GER
tain degree of mechanical facility is &C.
quired in the preliminary schools, and
perhaps certain measure of real educa-
ton, but the training and maturing pro-
cess must come either in the subsequent
course in the university, or it must be
dug out by the student and acquired in a
frsgmentary way amid the uncertainties
and disadvantages of active life. Of the
practical value Of education acquired by
experience, there can be no question it is
equally certain that time will be saved, mis-
takes and perhaps fatal errors avoided, if
the developing mental powers grow and
mature under the direction and guardian
ship of wise and experienced master.
With education, as with all other things, it
is good advice to every young person having
a courageous heart and sound mind in
sound body to "get the best" Under
what particular fostering mother" to
pursue mental culture is question over
which there is often much grave deliber-
alton and which is perhaps finally deter
mined by sentiment or prejudice, as often
as by considerations which are con-
sistent with reason. Americans quite
generally believe in the principle of
protection to domestic industries. They
believe in the development of national
resources and in building up here great,
Independent, self-supporting nation. This
principle applies to states and sections in
relation to each other, as we'll as to the
Union in its relation to foreign nations.
1t applies as we'll to schools as to mills,
as we'll to education as to commerce. The
best results come in the material world
from general and natural distribution
of industries in the moral world from a
general and natural diffusion of moral
agencies and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and
churches, ministers and school-mssters.
When the means of obtaining an educa-
ton have been literally supplied in ones
own state, and to which the state itself is
contributing, it seems both unwise and
unjust to ignore these provisions and to
contribute money and students to build
up and enrich institutions which contrib
ute nothing to the fame and welfare of
the state. We do not believe in support
ing Vermont institution simply because
of its location. If, however, by the gen.
eral excellence of its productions, the
completeness and perfection of its equip.
ment, and the successful exertions it is
making to deserve support and confidence
Vermont institution has fairly earned
the preference of the citizens of the state,
we believe it should be given. If Yer.
mont has a university that can show as
good a title to the support of Vermont
parents as any foreign institution, it may
reasonably expect and claim the prefer
ence. Such we believe is the present posi-
ton of the University of Vermont. The
generosity of Billings, Howard and others
has rehabilitated the University. New anG
oommodious buildings-with others as
sured that will not be rivalled, if indeed
elualled, by those of any other college
and new and attractive grounds are
the external signs of an equally crafty
ing and thorough-going internal rejuvena
tion in the faculty, in all the appliances
for advantageous study, in the compre
hensiveness of the courses of study an6
in their adaptation to the requirements o.
an education that shall best equip students
for useful and successful careers. w,
/. cannot 60 into details. We simply remint