The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-02-19
The Denominstional Colleges VS.. the South
Carolina College.

To tic Editor IF the Register The
questions involved in this case arc still un.
der discussion, and the controversy wakes
warmer. AS patriot aud a friend, if not
only hyher, but of the highest educa>
ton, we regard with solicitude the agita-
ton of the subject. 1t is just one of tn ose
questions OF State policy on which it is
so easy matter to array the prcjudiccs of
the Ignorant against the cause of truth and
justice, that the temptation to do so is cx-
cecdingly strong. Even the most cnlight-
cned, patriotic and pious, who are directly
interested in promoting the spcca! interests
of the various dcnominational institutions,
are in great danger of allowing themselves tG
be carried away into selfish and narrow
minded views Of what pertains to the best
interest of the whole commonwealth. And,
on the other haud, it is quite probable that
some who are most Jealous in their advocacy
Of the State institutions, are at heart enc.
mics to all reli gous training, and therefore
disparage and tlout the sectaran colleges
from n feeling they would shrink from
avowing
| We hold that religious training Of the
young is Indispensable to sound progress
and high civilization and the ;ienomiua>
tional colleges constitute, in our opinion,
the engineer corps OF the militant Chris
tian Church. We would therefore, rejoice
in seeing them all more heartily cherished
and more literally sustained.
So far, the discussion Of tho question
before us seems to have been conducted by
special partisans OF the respective institu-
tions But there is a third party deeply
concerned in the issue, and our object in
writing this article is to indicate that fact,
and to express succinctly our individual
vcws-ior what little they may be worth
in regard to the momentous subject. For
though we are &C cwrio, in the multitude
Of counscllors there is safety.
We are, though, au humble yet sincere
friend Of both the South Carolina College
and Of the dcnomiuational colleges. Aud
We ar" SO because We arc 4 true and Jealous
friend to popular education. We most
ardently wish to Sec the whole mass Of our
people morally and intellectually cnlight>
encd and refined, and We know that this
can never be accomplished by any mere
common school system, however we'll de-
vised and lavishly prosecuted. Their" mu I
be higher institutions Of learning in the
land to illustrate the great advantages and
exalted power of education, and to inspire the
minds aud hearts of our people with due
appreciation Of intellectual culture and with
the disposition to make all necessary sacri-
fees to educate their children. To this end
there cannot be too many colleges among us e.
Each acts as a lighthouse beacon, radatinS
beams Of attractive and bonignant spendor
over its own vicinage, dispclling the gloom
Of ignorance and guiding aspiring youth
into the sure ways Of honorable effort and
eminent usefulness Common schools, of
themselves, can never bcgct desire for
knowledge that rises abov, petty purposes
and immediate rccuniary results. The
dcsirc-thc burning dcsirc-for glorious
knowledge must always prccede the noblcr
achievements Of scholarship. a little
learning is not only dangerous but a
positively evil thing, unless those who are but
little learned are saved from arrogance and
presumption by the near view of a greater
degree Of education that keeps them aware
Of their own ignorance. Nor will men
generally and voluntarily avail themselves
of such advantages as the common schools
offer, unless they have beforehand been
duly impressed with lofty desire for scho-
lastic knowledge by some institution far
above the common school in the character
of its work. The success of any system of
common schools most certainly depends on
the maintenance of . college somewhere in
point-blank view Men are moved TO ac
ton much more by their sentiments than
by their opportunities, and mental cduca
tion IS essentially a matter Of voluntary cx-
ertion. 1t cann)t be forccl on any ono
Therefore common school, arc the prog cny
not the parents, Of colleges.
But why is it that the special friends OF
the dcnominational colleges object to free
tuition in the South Carolina College? DO
they suppose that their pets could compete
successfully with the State institution if il
charged for tuition, as they are obliged tc
do? 1t would sccm that such is their view
Of tho case; but surely that is q mis.akeI