Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-03-28
PROF.. JOHN COLLIER.
His Stand on state Aid in Education--No
Opposition to state Universities.

His Stand on State Aid in Eduoatiou--No
Opposition to State Universities.
The following speech was delivered
June 30, 1883, at Galveston by Prof John
Collier, now before the public as suit
able man for our next state superintendent
of public instruction;
Mr.. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLE
MRN-The learned discourse In the inter
est Of sectarlan education to which you
have Just listened deserves our serious
consideration, not only on account of the
high standing Of the speaker, but also on
account OF the subject itself and the inter-
esting manner OF its presentation. No
one could have anticipated the plane of
thought nor the ingenious manner of pre-
senting his arguments. The doctor de-
serves remark for the tact he has dis
played and the delicate manner in which
he attempted TO estop discussion by plac-
Ing us at q great disadvantage ana fore
ing us to extemporize our reply. He
merits the gratitude of those in whose in
terest he has devoted so much time and
study In the preparation of his great
speech, and the interesting and earnest
manner In which he has presented his
thoughts. lie deserves our respect for
the research he has made In order to pre-
sent an interesting and learned discourse.
We admire the doctor for his talents and
learningi we love him for his goodness,
we revere him on account Of his age and
calling, yet we must suggest to our CO..
laborer that the fair-hai ed, bluc-oyed,
timid maiden, who works day after
day with the primaries, deserves as
much honor and praise for the labor per Sc
IF that labor is correctly aud conscien-
tiously performed--as the learned doctor,
and stands ON the same plane OF personal
rights with any of us. There is certainly
tendency TO ignore this truth and one
of our duties IN the association Is 70 en-
phasize the thought.
The burden OF DR.. Cranes argument
aud the subject which you have invited
ms to discuss, Mr.. President, Is, "That
the sectarian principle is the best and
surest one on which to found and per-
petrate colleges and universtiesn lie
argues this from a premise we think in
correct. He asserts "that the manage
ment Of most, II not all, the great seats OF
learning In the past, have tacitly ac-
knowledged the truth OF his position by
seeking the influence, aid and even direc-
ton of the secs" We cannot review the
histories and Arrangements OF the col
leges and universities he has given, as
our time Is limited to twenty minutes,
but we desire to make some declarations
that Will lead these educators to full
investigation of the entire subject and
confirm our respect and cooperation in
the grand effort the states of this great
republic are making for the edu.
cation OF their present and fu-
ture citizens, and, at the same
time, lose no respect for
the efforts OF the sects to promote the
same objects In the moral and intellectual
elevation OF the race In their schools. We
should cherish with gratitude the mis-
sionary efforts put forward by religious
people under sectarlan impulse, In the
cause OF education, before the state Of
Texas was strong enough and compact