Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-08-06
THE GREATEST CRIME.
PLUTOCRACY is HOLDING THE
EDUCATIONAL FORTS.
Every University In the Counexy En-
listed on the Side of Msmmen-The
Conditions Are Almost Revolutionary
Gold Their Idol.
(By George Canning HILL

The money dynasty means 10 dlrec'
and govern everything from lifes be-
ginning to its end President Andrews
OF Brown university, in Providence, Ii
to be hidden by select committee to
resign his Office or else have 1t per.
emptorily taken from him on account
of the views he holds on bimetallism
His Views on tariff taxation are also
alleged against him, in order to serve
as sort Of buffer to the main charge
He is to be driven from his high oGce
OF an educator of youth, however, fol-
presuming to hold and teach what
conflicts with the present interests OF
of power they are helpless to resist
And such system goes by the name
of the higher education. 1t presumes
to claim the title of liberal, when 1t
exemplifies only the intensest bigotry.
handful of men set themselves up
to exclude from the studious pursuits
OF large body of youth what they
{ choose to regard as improper because
their own personal interests are to ap-
pearance antagonized by the teaching.
One may well ask where the mental
fibre and sinew of the coming genera
tion Is to be looked for, If education is
to consist in the adoption of prevail
ing prejudices and thinking is to be
restricted within certain permitted
limits. Where is the virile strength to
come from that is to give power to the
advocacy of truth, and the unfolding
of law, If the intellectual nutrition of
our youth is to be fed to them in the
form OF prepared pap, and in process
of mental digestion or rejection is to
be forbidden altogether.
1t is the narrow tyranny of the
act of the trustees of Brown university
that chiefly excites the general sense
of revolt. To think that a so-called
university education is to be sifted
Gown to class of studies that for the
time offer no contradiction to the bust
ness interests Of those who presume
to formulate them, is to accept edu-
least qualified to outline or inspire it,
and to deny to the growing branch
the capacity ever to bear either sound
or abundant fruit.
There are two points of view in
the case that are of serious considera-
ton. One Ia that a system Of educa-
tion may be laid down and undergo
alteration, addition, emendation, and
grotesque combination at the hands of
men who make no pretension to capac-
iity to guide or SUPERVISE an educa-
tional method or course; the other is
the growing habit, here exemplified
again, Of exchanging what is funda-
mental, and what deals with princi-
pies and laws, for what is polite and
ephemeral, for what may temporarily
equip, but can in no sense permanently
endow. Any one of fair intelligence
who Is addicted to the exercise of his
reason can see what a muddle and in
consequential result must be the in
evitable sequel.
lowed at Brown University, of course
there will be no further use for
man like President Andrews as its
directing head. The present move
ment is purposely designed to throw
him out; The gold monometallists de-
mand system Of education in Ameri-
can colleges and universities that shall
teach their dishonest and revolution
airy dogmas or shut their doors to the
youth of the country. Who is it that
would overthrow and destroy If 1t is
not they? Who seek to destroy our
free system of disciplining and devel-
Oping the mental and moral faculties
in the very crisis of their growth, if
1t is not those who would instruct in
party passion, teach the scheming art
of money-making for the few, and re-
strict the excursion of the evolving
reason to policies that are as likely to
be as base as they are fieeting?
The war we are now engaged in is
on for the uninterrupted advance of
our common civilization. There is a
far greataer stake involved than the
immediate prosperity of manufacture
ing establishments, which Is evidently
to be the inspiring and moving force
at Brown University. The meddlers,
of course, fail to realize 1t; they see
only their own selfish interests, which
are certain to disappear from their
sight in the general cataclysm which a
course like theirs invites. The con-
trolling center has fits seat in other
countries; one may better understand
the secret and subtle power it Is exer-
cising when It is thus seen in the de-
termination to dictate our American
method Of public education. 1t
strikes at the source and fountain of
our independent existence. 1t demands
the right to teach our youth that they
may at last become its more efficient
slaves.
The newspapers lose no time in reg
istering their obedience to this central
power by applauding the action of the
trustees OF Brown University and ap-
probating their motives. They really
do not see how the regents of the uni