The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-06-15

Tersity to stop growing is to begin to die IL
it is not continually enlarging its facilities for
instruction and improving its methods, so a.
to keep abreast Of other trSt-rate universities
In the quality Of its work, then it is relatively,
IL not absolutely, going behind and bringing
discredit on itself and on the state. II the
grow, but il still further it is not
proud that it should grow. then the
state had better kill IL at once. Instant
death is greatly to be preferred to
worth and noble spirit will not long work in
an institution which is forbidden to grow and
improve. II it is TO have a wholesome growth,
1t must be conducted on some well considered
plan. 1t must be so supported and administered
as to have a certain steadinesS Of life. Its
ADLER teachers, whose ability and reputation
give II a name, should be so compensated and
should be so sustained by the governing board
and by the public as to have comfort and a
sense OF security in their positions. II can not
be too emphatically declared that il is
not fine buildings nor great collections
that make u university, but gifted and
learned men, endowed with the power
and fired with the love OF teaching and inspir-
ing their pupils. II these can be retained on
conditions which allow them to be reasonably
free from sOlicitude to enjoy intellectual in
dependence and to throw their whole energy
and enthusiasm into their work. students will
flock to their rooms, sit delighted at their feet,
and catch their spirit OF scholarship and in
duStry. And wherever you have great teach
erS and enthusiastic students, you have a uni
versity, even though they dwell in log cabins
and teach and study upon the open prairie.
M~IsSoURIs FUTURE.
Think of what a future this state may have
before it. In area she is larger than England
and Wales, and more than twice as large as
Scotland. The population is about half larger
than that OF the kingdom of Denmark. Lying
in the very heart OF the continent. favored
with a matchleSS climate, watered by the two
great rivers OF the continent. teeming with
agricultural, mining and manufacturing re-
sources, which can hardly be measured, with
the ampleSt communications by river and by
rail for the transportation OF her abundant
products to the markets Of the world;
with a population drawn from the choicest
stocks of other states and Of the
old world, a population bounding in
energy, lofty in character. with a history lus-
trous with the achievements Of men renowned
in every honorable vocation, what elements OF
an imperial state, what assurance of a brilliant
future are wanting to her? But with all these
advantages. one thing she must make sure Of,
or they will prove powerleSS to retain for her
that commanding position she has long held,
and which you are hoping and predicting she
VIII continue to hold. That one thing is a
goodly number Of men trained by the best edu-
cation which the age can furnish them for
leadership in all departments of human ac-
tivity. for eminence IN all branches of civic
life. In the hot competition of these times those
communities and states which produce the
best intelligence and the ~lOftieSt character
will press to the front. The whole nation is
looking to the west, which is marching to the
front with such tremendous strides, to WELD
the prepOnderatlng influence in guiding our
national affairs and shaping our national deS-
tiny. But the west can not win this high honor,
and does not deserve il, unless, while abound
ing in natural prosperity, she can rear genera
tiOnS of broad-minded thoroughly trained,
high-Souled men. to speak and act for her in all
tion'S need. In this great work may this state
and her university do their full part.