The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-06-19
for the deep are knocked


away and she glides into the water, the
ship builder has added another potent
element to the wealth and power of his
country and the noble vessel is TO carry
the flag and maintain the credit of the
nation upon the seas and in the ports of
the globe. We, the veterans from the
American universities, cordially and
enthusiastically welcome these young
knights to the order of higher educa-
ton.
In the old world, with it's division into
classes, its aristocracy and its nobility,
the strength and perpetuity OF the no.
bic order is its exclusivenesS. Only the
heredity or by the rareSt distinction in
arms or letters is admission possible.
The newcomer, if not entitled to the
insignia of rank by birth. is viewed with
jealousy and recognized with GOODNESS
by those who have behind them CEN
turtles Of titled ancestry and high de-
scent But the order of liberal educa-
ton is constructed upon the opposite
theory. In the place Of eXclusiveness
is liberality, instead of GOODNESS bound
less hospitality. 1t is ever looking for
recruits and the opportunity TO reward
merit. 1t knocks at the farmhouse
door, at the miners cabin, and at the
cottage Of the laborer in every field,
and calls for the ingenious youth Of the
family to make the struggle and the
sacrifice to pass through the appren-
ticeship which shall equip them with
the ability to wear the armor and skill
fully use the weapons so necessary for
successful career and good citizen
ship.
The popularizing of liberal education
is the future of our period. II is the
working of the law of compensation by
which the larger demands of the era
are to be easily met.
Patriotism in a republic has its best
support and strongest hope in the col
leges. Wherever else liberty has been
crushed by the power of tyranny, SUI
perstition and bigotry they have never
beeen able to eXtinguish its light in the
halls of liberal learning. In the mighty
political upheavels of modern times it
is the student who has lead the way.
The finest example OF the patriotic
power of higher education is the Ger
man empire Of today. Among the
wrecks of thrones and nationalities
which followed the Napoleonic hurri-
cane none were mere disastrous than
those of the German states. Prussia's
king was a prisoner. her army de-
stroyed and her capital occupied by the
enemy. Upon the thrones of the Ger
man princes were the relatives or the
followers OF the conquerOr. Il seemed
as if the vitality OF Teutonic independ-
ence. which haI resisted the Roman IN
vasion and the shocks Of two thousand
years of battle. had been Slapped by the
genius OF Bonaparte. In the darkest
hour of German history. Stein. the in
comparable statesman. appealed for adj
vice He could not ask for help because
the resources of his country were ex-
hausted and the rest OF Europe was
either allied TO or under the heel OF the
great warrior. The answer came not
form camps or cabinets. but from the
lecture room OF the most remarkable
educator of his time. Professor Fichte.
Educate the Germans" was MS cry
Teach them not only the glorious
traditions Of their race. but give 10 them
the trained intellect and the disciplined
mind which will unite the German peo-
Piles into a resisIlesS power and make
them the leaders OF EuropeT Won
Humboldt seconded Fichte. Stein saw
the opportunity. and upon the smoking
ruins ofthe Napoleonic conQuests they
builded the University of Berlin. In
eighty years. with their incompa "a bic
gymnasia and their magnificent seats
Of learning. the German people became
the best educated in the old world
Their leaders in camp in cabinets and
in parliament were the greduaes Of their
universities and the best fruit OF Their
liberal education. The browning of
William Emperor Of Germany al Yer
sailles. the triumph Of Bismarck in the
unity Of the Teutonic peoples into one
great nation. was the fulillaent ~
Fichte's and Won Hum bold.'s prophecy
thar in education i4g the salvation 90