Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-17

ness from the bottom up. 1t was col
lege man who said that college was the
place where bricks are polished and dia-
monds are dimmed. But he didn't tell
us whether or not the average was better
than it otherwise would have been. We
believe it is. Furthermore 1t Is fair to
presume that Mr. Clews' experience has
been not with the college boy possessed
of small il any means, whose college edu-
cation had strengthened his habits OF
economy, nerved as well as broadened his
manlineS and tempered his resolution to
strainiDg point beyond that usually at
tanned by q man who had not undergone
the experience. Probably the boys with
whom Mr.. Clews had to deal were the
sons of rich or well to do parents, whose
influence had secured them situation
under Mr.. Clews' cognizance.
Hitherto 1t has been the popular thing
in the way of giving advice to urge the
young man to 60 to college at any risk.
There is now a quite apparent reaction.
The feeling is growing along with ma
terialistic ideas and in this age Of money
making that going to college is at least a
waste Of time. 1t seems to us that here
we have the two extremes. Neither are
correct. The idea that college educa-
ton makes a man Is as erroneous as that
it spoils man. 1t may do either to a
degree.
The need of education was never so
great as at the present. Possession Of a
good education doesn't distinguish man
from his fellows nowadays so much as
lack Of It, because SO many of them have
1t and II he wishes to enter competition
with them in certain lines he will surely
find that possession Of it is very great
advantage On the other hand those who
graduate from our best high schools are
as we'll educated as those who graduated
from college seventy five years ago.
1t would seem that with the facilities
In the cities and villages for securing q
high school education, the parent who did
not endeavor to have his child obtain
such education did not fulfill his duties
toward the child. There never was a
time when educated men and women
were in greater demand than today
There never was greater need than now
of the liberal education, or liberal educa-
ton as it should be. And the need doesn't
consist so much in the absence of it in the
community as the lack of the application
of 1t. And here comes in the criticism so
often made and too often justiflable that
a college education inculcates tastes be-
yond the reach OF the average mortal,
cultivates fastidiousness and disinclina-
ton to begin at the bottom of the ladder.
He who would improve the world must
be on it not in the clouds above it.
Touching elbows Is a liberal education
in itself but to produce the best results
good school education is needed as a basis
to work upon. Municipal politics have
become byword in the great cities be-
cause the literally educated and the
liberal minded feared contamination
The few who have grasped the thistle
vigorously have surprised Others as we'll as
themselves with their success. Again
there are comparatively few men who
have graduated from college who live for
wealth alone. AS rule they are broader
minded as the result of their college train
ing and such are needed in every avoca-
ton.
There is little good in giving advice but
we feel like suggesting to all, get good
high school education II possible. There
will be time enough for beginning at the
bottom of the ladder afterwards To
those who have decided to take a college
course we would say, go, if your health
will permit such sacrifices as may be re-
quired and you are not asking too great
sacrifice of your family. But after you
get within the college halls take up your
work with a view to its helping you tho
better and the more quickly to surmount
the obstacles at the bottom of the ladder.
Do not be deluded with the idea that it
will enable you to avoid them altogether
Try to form a definite purpose respecting
your life work and study along that line
so far as the course will permit, Don't
refine yourself out of sympathy with the
world in general. Don't think college
diploma passport. 1t l., not. II you arc
in doubt as to whether you can afford
such education we have no advice to offer,
other than to simply say that there are
very few college men who regret 1t.
The Growth Of the Iron Ship Building Industry.