The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-05
SENATOR sL1GH SPEAKS AGAIN.
He Advocates an Agricultural College Pure
and Simple, Separate and Distinct from
any other Institution for the Bene-
fit of the Farmers of the State.

| fit of the Farmers of the State.
TO the Editor of The. Herald and News:
The history of the agitation of an ag-
ricultural college in the State is we'll
known to all who have read the papers.
| 1t is also further known that the far
ners of the State, in convention assem-
bled, asked the Legislature to establish
! such an institution, and that that body
instead of doing this passed the bill es-
tablishinga university out of the South
Carolina College, with a school of agri-
culture and mechanics connected there
with, and in this way absorbed the
money appropriated by the National
Government for such schools. Now, is
such school connected with literary
Institution what the farmers of the
State desire? Will it bring about that
elevation, increased education and
prosperity among the farmers, which,
it is claimed, an agricultural college,
pure and simple, would accomplish;
and will it confer upon them that social
and political standing in the State and
nation to which they are entitled:
Setting aside, for the present, the
great advantages to accrue from 4 su-
perior agricultural education to all agri-
culturalists and the country at large,
which point has been we'll and ably
argued by others, | will first attempt
to show that the school of agriculture
connected with the South Carolina Col
lege will not-cannOt from the very
nature Of things, accomplish for the
farmers of the State what an agricul-
tural college, pure and simple, managed
and controlled by the farmers them
selves would accomplish.
1t is recognized fact, and one well
established by experience and observa-
ton among all thinking people, both
in Church and State, that institutions
of learning for the training of the
young are absolutely necessary to give
tone, respectability and influence to
the cause or causes that bring them into
existence. Hence, in this and other
States where each religious denomina-
ton is working to advance its various
interests and growth, and thereby ac-
complish greater good to the world, we
find literary institutions and theologi-
Cal seminaries established, ,and in many
instances literally endowed. At this
day, and in this progressive age, no de-
nomination, wise in its own generation,
with a zeal and love for its peculiar doc
trines, and with u strong desire to do
good, would even think Of carIy ying on
its holy work without such Institutions;
and any denomination attempting such
a thing would soon be absorbed by the
others. The alumni, students and en-
students of these institutions, are gen
orally their best friends and strongest
advocates, and those who We're stu
dents together, or educated at the
same institution, are generally strong
and sympathizing friends one with
another And these are they, as
they 60 forth into the world, who
give tone, respectability and intlu-
ence to their alma mater and to the
cause she represents. The impressions
made on the minds of the young at
these institutions are generally lasting,
and cling to the man all through his
after-life, governing and controlling his
actions in no small degree.
If such he true of the kind of institu-
tions noticed, is not the same thing true
Of State institutions, and in some re-
spects intensely true? An institution
supported by the State from the very
force Of circumstances becomes polit-
ical institution when there is stamped
on the minds of its students political
opinions that cling to them in their
after-life.
Such an institution is recognized by
the law-making power Of the State. Its
board Of trustees are elected by the Leg
islature from among the leading men of
the State. and its faculty all feel that
they are the servants of the State and
are amenable to it; and consequently
the political views, opinions and feel
ings of those who control such an insti-
tuition are stamped deep down into the
hearts and lives of its students, and
hold to them ever afterwards. When
such 90 forth into the world it is to use
whatever influence they may have for
furthering the interests of that institu-
ton and their fellow-students, and
those who may be in full sympathy
with them.
For long period of years South Car
Dina has been governed by a political
element within the Democratic party,
and the facts just goticed reveal to us
the most prominent feature of the
causes which have led to this state Of
affairs. This is so obvious that no man
will have the hardyhood to deny it; es
pecially when he remembers that ante
rior to the war, and before our denom-
national colleges had put in so much
excellent work, that it was the next
thing to an impossibility for any man
who was not graduate Of the South
Carolina College or Military Academy
to be elected to any high office. There
might have been, and suppose were a
few isolated exceptions. The general
rule, however, was that the politicians,
Statesmen and otfce-holders were edu-
Gated ut the State institutions, and that
the work or training done by those in
stitutions gave shape to the political
opinions and views of their students