The age-herald., 1897-09-12
TECHNICS FROM
 CURRENT TOPICS

Ine ulScuSSlOn now DeInS caTrleu OH Dy the southern press regarding co-educa- tion of the sexes, has aroused new in terest fin an old matter. The legislature if Georgia will be petitioned at it's next session to permit the State university at Athens to throw its doors open to wo- men The fight promises to wax warm and fierce, with the old-time conserva- tism of many Georgia men on one side and the advanced, aggressive modern woman on the other. It is safe to pre- dict the final outcome; the women will win, and henceforth the Georgia uni versity will offer to the women of that state the same educational advantages that are given the men. And why not? The intellectual progress of woman has proven her fitness for all the highest advantages presented by the most ad- vanced curriculum. She has the capac- ity to master the intricacies of any sci ence to dig down to the very roots of the tree of knowledge; to solve the problems that have tested the genius of man, and to acquit herself honorably in any and all of the intellectual fields of labor. So why should she not be given equal educati tional opportunities with man? If women are to cope with men in the struggle for mental advance ment, they should be furnished the same advantages. There should be no distinctions drawn; the state owes as much to it's daughters as to it's sons. Women have right to demand admis- sion to the universities; they pay a part of the taxes which support these state institutions, and it is time for the peo- pie to realize the fact that genius is sexless.
 sss e:-'
 The objection to co-education ex- pressed fby many men and women is the unfortunate effect of close and intimate association upon the sexes. This phase Of the question need not prejudice the cause. It Is a physiological fact that the development of the mental faculties is one of the strongest safeguards of he morals of an individual Where the brain is active end stimulated there is little time or inclination for the lower, animal side of life. The miserable, heart-rend- ing scandals of society have rarely been furnished by fntellec.ual men and wo- men, no rnai.ter how intimate their re- lationships. It is the province of the idle and 'thoughtless to cultivate the s1ckly, demora1zlng senlimetnalities of romantic, badly balanced natures. Occu- patton, menAal and physical, is the surest defense against the temptations of all forms of evil.
 While this matter of co-education is again being talked and wrl.ten about, it is we'll to inquire, why The curriculums of the more advanced female schools of the south should mot be equal to these of the universities. Why should this tacit acknowledgment of womans men, tai inferio1i.y exist? Why should met the girls of the south find in their own schools the same opportunities that the state offers the boys? The demand for co-educ2l,ion comes of the natural cray ing of intellectual womarhood, for the highest advantages of mental training and development. A woman whose brain Is large enough to desire and appreciate these privileges can be trusted to inn prove The moral tone of her associaI5e es, not lower it.
 Alabama, Mississippi and several other southern states have thrown open the doors of their universities and schools to women; CO., education is no longer an ex- pertinent in these commonweaD fhs Their example should prove stimulation to Georg,ans, who desire to see the women of their state enjoy the blessings and privileges which come with the best, highest intellectual training Every broad minded, thoroughly educated wo- man, who leaves the portals of a sl ale university bearing with her diplomas of graduation will prove an evangel in this busy, hurrydng world, whether she en- ters upon an active business or pro- fessional career or remains within the sacred lmitis of a happy home.
 Co-education will prove a mighty lever for the elevation of rhe people; an up- building of the morals of a state, be- cause of the cultivation and development of the highest and purest attributes of the men.al faculties. Keep the brain busy with the better things of life, and there will be neither time nor inclination for the qualification of the debas.ng in- stinal:s of humanity. BALL. The Real MT, Bryan.