The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-06
INDIANA UNIVERSITY.
The Opening Of the Third Term-Dr. Jordan
as President-The Outlook.
of the Indianapolis journal.

Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.
BLooMINGToN, April The third term Of
the university year opened Tuesday, March 81
Twenty new students have entered the higher
preparatory class, sixteen of whom are candi-
dates for next years freshman class-all but one
of whom are from other counties The present
senior class of the university numbers twenty
four, four of whom are from Monroe county
These four are ladies. The class is counted I'M
usually strong, and it's graduating exercises in
June are looked forward to with unusual interest
The outlook for the university was never more
hopeful. President Jordan predicts attend
ance of four or five hundred students here next
fall Expressions of interest," good will
and support come from all parts of
the State and it is evident that
the people Of Indiana who are interested in the
cause of education would be glad to see a pro-
gressiye and liberal policy on the part of the
State toward her university Never before
have so many people been interested in the well
fare of the university as now. This is largely
from the fact that DIR. Jordan has proved him
self master of the situation. He is making the
university known to the people of the State, and
wherever it is known through him it will be
favorably known. He addressed large audi
ence of teachers and citizens at Mitchell, last
night, April g. He will lecture in Fort Wayne,
Lawrenceburg, New Albany and Vincennes next
week, and in other parts of the State soon, Civ
ing the people some of his ideas on the "Ad-
vantages of College Education" The annual
catalogue will soon be issued. 1t will contain
the names and addresses of all the alumni
which will make the report of special interest to
all the old students of the university.
| submit an editorial on the condition of the
university, from a late number.of tine Indiana
Student" The article speaks the feelings Of the
alumni and friends of the university throughout
the State, both to the prospects for the future
and as to some of the opposition to the institu-
ton lately manifested in the House of the Leg
islature, which opposition, syou have often well
said, all true friends of education deplore. The
editorial says:
''The State University is not dead. 1t is not
dying. 1t is not on the decline. 1t is not at a
standstill. There never time when its
material prosperity, in fact and in promise. was
so great as oday. Notwithstanding the Grip
pling reduction in the State appropriation, the
means at command will place the university
upon a better footing. everything considered
than it has ever had before. 1t is simple state
ment of fact that the facilities for advanced
study here will be equal to the best that can be
had anywhere-quite out of the list of compet-
ton with the dozens and scores of universities
round about. The endowment aggregating over
half a million of dollars furnishes a basis for
sure and steady growth, and the manifestly in
creasing disposition to give the State University
a liberal support is full of promise for its rapid
and large advancement.
From this point of view it is not difficult to
be tolerant toward those who have tried to
strangle the Institution We expect opposition
in every good work. The cause of education,
and especially of public education has ever had
to contend with ignorance and stupidity We
cannot hope to escape such opposition, and we
must meet 1t as we must, and bear il as we can,
confronting ourselves with the thought that after
all the opposition proceeds from an ignorance
and stupidity which it is our mission to expel.
There is however, opposition toward
which we cannot be SO tolerant. One who goes
into battle expects blows from the enemy; but
how can soldier feel toward the comrade who
stands by his side and stabs him in the back?
The most shameful fact in the history Of educa-
tion--at least of the history of education in In
dlana-ls that the inspiration of the opposition
to this Institute proceeds not from the ayowed
enemies of education, but from those who pretend
to be devoted to its interests. If that opposition
which attempted to stab the institution to death,
and which succeeded in Gripping it's present
efficiency, had come from ignorant vicious
men, We would take the blow and laugh Com
ing as it does from pretended eo-workers, from
those in whose good fortune and success we have
all reioiced,-our feeling is one of measureless
contempt.
. Gentlemen, you cannot kill the Indiana Uni
versity. You have mistaken the magnitude Of
your undertaking. Its hold upon life is more
tenacious than you suppose. You have done
your worst, and behold, the old university
stands stronger than ever. In money, in build
inSs, in apparatus, in museums, in books, in
men, it will begin the next year better equipped
than it has ever been. No, gentlemen, you can
not kill the Indiana University; but you can
brand yourselves with the infamy Of treachery
to the cause Of education. You can place your
selves in pillory of shame, and subject your
selves to the scern of every lover Of education
who is not a hypecrite or sham
"As for US we're out Of the rocks. On to the
open sea-"