Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-08-07
The University of Mississippi.

N;ss;ssinni. II was determined that there
.sbonld nroceed from the governing body,
naYar or address in the Interest OF
+be TTniversity.n and we are warranted to
SOW that it is the beginning OF practice
70 l,a kent M in such way that at sulta-
BILE intervals the attention OF the people
NAV be drawn to the condition and
nrocress of the institution, Its needs ana
nrospects. 1t is believed that TINS KIND
.of communication between the trustees
and the people, whom they represent,
in . GREAT trust, will be highly bench.
cial and far preferable to the usual
official report. The undersigned trus.
teas were for the time being chosen to
frame an address which it is hoped will
be the beginning OF series.
The University is the principal educa'
tional foundation in the State. 1t owes
its origin to the wise policy which once
onided the people Of the United States
in the disposition OF their splendld In
heritance, the public domain; 1t mas
from this source a national endowment.
From its infancy it has been an object
of great solicitude to the people OF
the State, and a source OF Just
nride. No other institution OF the
State. excellent as they are in their
grade and objects, proposes to give hlgn
Scholarship. We are by peculiar cir
.cumstances divided in our business con-
nections between business centers, put
we are united as one people IN the UNI
versitv. where all sections and all classes
are REPRESENTED, and where all influences
+and ~ rive distinctive character and
culture to Mississippi youth. iE was
from this institution, broad and llDerai
in its scheme of education, we hoped to
send forth. in the fullness OF time,
educated men who would take honorable
rank in any society of scholars and gen.
tlemen, and assume Leading IuncIlohs
IN the whole round OF intellectual actlV-
tiles, the growth of Mississippi educa-
ton and training and distinctly ocr
own. These expectations nave oeen
fully realized in the first fruits. NO
institution of learning in any State Tor
the same time and from the same num-
her of students has contributed so many
men Of note to politics, to journalism, to
the nulpit. to institutions of learning, TO
the learned professions, and to the very
hest classes ii unprofessional life. We
enThasize the contribution to the cause
Sc 5eneral education. Her graduates are
"a lSs found ii your professorships, and at
ihe haad of the finest high schools IN the
state. University men constitute TO,
dav 8 most effective and beneficial
fnree in society and in all public affairs,
state and National. There is hardly
town of note. in the State, in which they
are not leaders. For usefulness, for
weight and influence, for all that gives
moral health and strength to a state
and aid to carry it forward IN the pain
of elevated progress, they are unsurpass
ed by any body of men, the growth
of college training, IN any country.
The capacity of the institution to ac-
conlplish the object of its founders IS
shown in manner and degree which
gives the most complete satisfaction.
The offspring of the University now
mingled with the mass of our citizens,
illustrate the merits of the training and
education bestowed upon them. What
the University has done in the past 1t
can do in the future. 1t is fulfilling Its
purpose, but that purpose IS no nearer
completion than any other great purpose
looking to the elevation of human socl-
ety, and to human progress. Genera
tions come and 90. but each in the long
succession must take the impress or these
agencies improved and ever improving.
As the boundaries of human knowledge
are continually expanding. the educa-
ton of tomorrow must take WIDER
range than that of to-day.
There is a wider and more energetic
movement for education now than at
.any former period of the worlds history.
Regarding our own immediate surround
ings. the number of colleges of high
grade in adjoining States has in recent
times very greatly increased, and the ia
cilities for reaching them so greatly I'M
proved in time and safety, that slight
advantage causes a rivalry, which, while
il is not to be regretted nor deprecated,
devolves upon us the necessity OF keep
inc the balance in our favor; for though
State pride, all else being equal, may
turn the scale, that sentiment is not as
powerful as that which parents feel
about the education of their children.
This rivalry tends to reduce the attend
ance of students at our University.
Novelty has its accustomed sway, and
we are admonished that we must cOun-
teract these influences. One thing may
be said on this head. The best equipped
institution of learning in the world be-
comes useless without patrons. The most
perfect mill is valueless without the grist.
It was thought by some that, to keep
our University above competition, very
sweeping changes were demanded in
the personnel of the professorships, while
Others thought the institution could
maintain its ground with its present ap-
pointments, and that at all events, the
changes made should be few and gradu-
al. The alumni Of the University-an in
fuential body numerously and freel
condemned any changes in what is
known as the old faculty. These men,
though having no official relations to
the University, speak with a certain
authority, due to the well founded
supposition that they are its truest
friends. and are competent and trust
worthy advisers in all that relates to its
reputation and interests. The wisdom
Of their advice in the present Instance