The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-17
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER, Il. 1897.
via WILSON on EDUCATION.

The scholarly and patriotic address
which the Hon William J.. Wilson deliv-
cred at Lexington on the occasion Of his
Inauguration as president Of Washington
and Lee University. fully justihes the
encomium which. in our poor way we
passed upon him in these columns yester-
day.
The address was interesting from begin
ming to end. and full Of valuable informa-
lion and suggestion. But the gem Of the
address was that point which referred 10
the general lack in the South of schools
or Of adequate schools in history. eco
nomic and political studies. such as now
form so large a part of the courses offered
I'm the great colleges and universities Of
other parts of the country. That part Of
the address cannot be too strongly i'm
pressed and we reproduce the following
extract.
Calling attention to the fact that these
studies had their beginning in Southern
schools, and were prominent in the mo-
tiyes Of the statesmen who founded these
schools. he said that to the research
which wds born of such studies we owe
Bold contributions TO the history of our
country and Us Institutions. more accu-
rate knowledge Of the economic ex-
periences OF other nations and Of past
times and helpful material for improving
that part of government heretofore so
generally neglected-the art and science Of
administration. national, state and NUM-
clpal, and he added:
The supreme necessity Of such studies.
II we are TO pCrpetuate government by
the people and bear our freedom uu-
scathed through all the perils that beset
its progress, needs not 90 be dwelt upon.
only the thoughtless and the ignorant
uelude themselves with the idea that
paper constitutions are the effectual safe
guards of our liberties and universal
suffrage the capable administrators Of the
institutions through which We are to en-
JOY and possess them forever. Men who
are familiar with the origin OF our his
toric liberty, who know the rareness in
all history Of stable, popular government.
and who are sobered by the thickening
difficulties that confront us, will agree
with Sir Henry Maine. that Democratic
government will tax TO the utmost the
sagacty and craftsmanship Of the world
20 keep II from misfortune As popula-
ton and wealth increase: as science and
invention sweep onward. as civilization
grows more complex: as new States Join
our Union and cities multiply. and a new
creation OF artificial personages is called
into being to carry on the great com
mcrcial and Industrial enterprises. for
Al
ton are unequal. problems of govern
mcnt both of policy and administration,
become more difficult. and statesmen
whether as lawmakers or as administra-
tors must not only be learned I'm the
science OF government. enlightened BIZ
the lessons OF human experience. but
mus often be dependent upon experts
whose services they must be able to COM
msnd and know how 20 use.
What we are beginning 20 see. our
fathers saw clearly, and the founders OF
States were the founders Of colleges.
Washington. Jefferson, and Franklin all
founded schools which they meant to be
not only nurseries OF sound learning. but
training schools for citizenship and for
public service. Franklins plan for the
University Of Pennsylvania included the
study OF history, OF government and con-
si.tutons. OF politics. and the history Of
commerce. Mr. Jefferson devised a com
plete scheme OF universal education from
primary school 20 post graduate univer-
sity. The basis Of his political creed was
that a people 10 be free must govern
themselves. and that for self-government
they must be educated. Even in his
scheme for primary schools, where most
children receive their whole education.
he wished education 20 be chiefly histori-
raj, FOR history" he said. by apprslng
them OF the past. will enable them to
Judge ~ the future. II viii avail them OF
the experience OF other times and other
nations In his report on the Univer-
city. concurred I'm by Mr. Madison and
tho other able men OF the commission.
he Classics the objects OF higher edu-
cation under six heads. the first three Of
which were political First to form
statesmen, legislators. and judges. on
whom public prosperity and individual
happiness are 50 much 10 depend: second.
10 expound tho principles and structure
OF government the laws which regulate
the intercourse Of nations and those
formed municipality for our own govern
ment; and a sound spirit OF legislation.
which. banishing all unnecessary re-
straint on Individual action, shall leave
us free 20 do whatever does not violate
the equal rights Of another: third, 10 har-
monte and promote the interests OF az