The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-08
A National University.

George Washington left in trust to
Congress ninety eight years ago, a fund
for National university purposes believ-
ing an institution for the training of
statesmen at the Capital was the surest
way of protecting the spirit Of the consti-
tuition. 1t is now proposed that the
women of America. unite in calling the
attention of the people to the .unfulfil1ed
desire of Washington
These few lines record one of the many
thoughtful and prophetic propositions
which make manifest the wisdom and
craftsmanship of our first President The
fulfilment Of his wish has been long de-
layed; the history of the efforts made and
the obstacles encountered supplies most
interesting reading; the present combine
tion of forces in it's favor promises a
speedy and successful conclusion. Surely
a century is long enough for planting,
| rearing and harvesting fruit SO essen
tial in our national garden. This central
university, thus planned, is to be en-
dowed by government but continued, aid
ed and extended by people who, by this
time, may be expected to comprehend the
priceless benefits it will confer upon the
whole system of education. All existing
universities, colleges and schools are to
cooperate in it's methods and derive from
| this permanent centre an ever-increasing
| impulse from the also ever-increasing
fund of knowledge it will create and de-
yelope. By a complete system of post
graduate study and corps of advanced
professors the sum total of human knowI-
edge will progress at a pace which will
equal if not outstrip that of the great
educational institutions of Europe. At
present we are far behind and thousands
Of the young people of our land are now
obliged to cross the ocean to obtain ad-
vantages which this university once es-
tablished will afford them in still larger
measure.
The practical and pecuniary fulflment
of this, project, which has been eloquently
advocated from time to time by our
greatest scholars and most enlightened
statesmen, is naturally entrusted to those
who are in charge of national affairs. 1t
may, however, be assumed without AFRO
gance that the aid and influence of our
countrywomen now cordially welcomed
| by these statesmen, will add omething
to the propelling forces required for carry
| Ing out so great an enterprise. These
| quote with pleasure the apt words of the
| DFllllant young author of peter Stirl-
| ing who remarks tsay what we please,
| the strongest and most subtle pull this
world las yet contains is the under-cur-
rent of woman S influence" And what
will not that influence accomplish when
1t takes the form of an American moth
er's entreaty for the moro per ecJ educa-
! ton OF her children?
| 1t is therefore with profound belief in
| the 1nestlmable value of this new and
eliminating glory for our growing coun-
try that the organization of women
formed in its service appeals to every
American woman to look into its history
in the Fast and assist in assuring its
magnificent future. A great central uni
| versity in the capital city of these United
| States, where already innumerable rays
| of science, art, philosophy and legislation
converge, will be as the sun to the solar
system, radiating light, warmth and fer
| tility upon every branch of human
! knowledge Embracing in it's genial
scope every division of Intellectual, moral
and physical research, broader and fuller
| than is possible or desirable under local
or special limitations, it will hold in solu-
ton thousand individual differences of
opinion. Sectional prejudioes will melt
into patriotic zeal and intelligent politi
cal action take the place of blind obedi-
ence to party lines. Spiritual and mental
| forces will combine to search for truths
that can command the untrammelled
soul and will awaken aspirations which
leave behind in safe subordination the
methods and restraints proper to more
rudimentary stage of study. Each student
may well have acquired disciplined habits
of thought consonant with his inward