Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-16
George Washington was the untiring advo-

George Washington was the untiring advo-
cate OF popular education and in his letters,
speeches and public documents he advocated
the establishment and maintenance OF schools,
colleges and universities. He gave OF bis pri-
waite means to such purposes as untolded them
selves in Virginia and proposed to give to ma
tional university at the Capital the proceeds Of
lands in the Potomac company which he ac-
copied for his interest in its affairs only on the
condition that it should be devoted TO some ed
ucAtional object. The project Of q national
university Of high grade OF learning-a school
10 teach political IA well as other science and
the literatures Of the world as we'll rs Ian
guages-he supported with untiring perth
nacIty. His thought chiefly was the inculce-
ton here OF the great lesson OF broad patriot
ism above local and sectional considerations.
just rs he outstrIpped most others of
Lis compeers IN statesmsnship when
he first Of all men suggested
the Supreme Court of the United States, so he
was by Msdison's side and Hamilton's in the
effort to secure United States university. He
was even willing to adopt a singular PROPOSE
ton TO transfer TO our capital a foreign
university whose position at revolution
period in a land OF liberty like our own was
deemed to be no longer tenable. To the end Of
his career he stimulated his countrymen to
carry out the designs OF a great university.
Dying, he bequesthed them the lofty task he
had endeavored TO perform. The plan Of a
federal university has been since the last GEN.
fury advocated by some OF our foremost public
men and educators. II has met with favor at the
hands OF considerable part Of the press
and has been well received 10y the public. But
other enterprises have crowded ont the subject
The late Senator Howe, Of Wisconsin, was a
warm friend Of the project Another Senator,
from another and older section in civilization,
now appears as the champion of the measure.
Many who would otherwise have constitutional
objections to Mr.. Edmunds bill on the ground
of the original rejection OF the proposition in
the convention which framed the Constitution
concede that this objection was removed by
the adoption OF the provision concerning the ten
miles square and admit that the authority to
establish the university is conferred in the
control, vested in Congress, of the federal dis
trict and territory. The benefits to be derived
from q national university are obvious and
need not be set forth in a formal manner
The clash of forces on the silver
aud tariff questions and tho consid-
erations OF economy urged so strongly at
this time will doubtless prevent the measure
from attracting much attention at this session.
But in due course of time, when doubtless the
projected Methodist and Baptist universities.
which have already made such Roadway in the
movement toward practical realization, have
become accomplished facts, and are enjoying
the unrivalled advantages which the capital
offers as an educational center, Washington
may be permitted by the republic to add to
her treasures as the city of universities the
university of which George Washington
dreamed