The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-18

nut in response to a demand FOR leaders in
political, social and professional life, Its
foremost students were learned and schol-
arly; but the college world, like the out
side world. esteemed scholarihip less high
ly than character. The Southern college,
therefore, was a nursery rather OF man
hood and character than OF learning and
scholarship, To he faithful in friendship.
to be truthful, generous and courageous, 10
keep ones honor In return for confidence
bestowed by teacher or fellow student. 70
make an honest failure rather than dishon-
est success; these were standards most es-
teemed in the higher education Of the oid
South They may all be summed up In Tue
single phrase. TO ba a gentleman. THIS
ideal had its cheap side III artificial cia"s
distinctions social gcwgawS and unuue
emphasis on dress and manners, bui us
sterling worth and genuine power wer"
manifested not only in the purity ana nnp
piness Of Southern social and domestic ile.
hut also In public lives unsuilied by love OF
ucre and free from scandal, III thc Moor
ruptible integrity of southern statesmen
who nodded the destinies Of this nation In
the agon.es of birth and guided mem htol-
wards for half GENTRY. Its lot'iost ex-
| preston was made by Henry Gay WIZ
| said 'Id rather be right than be pFes'-
| dent" It's highest manifestation WAS i"
! the life and character of Washington. WI"
| will romnin forever the finest type oil nv
manity, noby illustrating the superioiiS
Of character over intellect
II can not bo denied that coFegea anu
unlvcrsities In the Southern sla'es ""' ",
failed to keep pace with the progress Vi
education. either in America or Europe
The reasons for this are not FAR 10 seeh ="
addition to one already suggested namely,
tho emphasis OF character culture aposo
mental culture, there ID another, Whicn Bp''
directly to the root of the matter a'" "a
maine mt only tho collapse OF higher euu
rutInn I'm the Southern Statrs immediately
following the war. but also iis reSlSal
since. upon a stronger foundation. and i'S
rand development in harmony with tbe
educational system OF the country
If ia Il notable fact that the earliest AZ
tompts MT higher education In the sontn
were made through institutions supporter
nv public taxation. or endowed by pupHc
grants IL is notable also thnt thcy were
organized with plans OF ins'ruotpoh mii
euuiupod with instructors representing the
best ideas and the best learning OF theH
time But they lacked the vital principle
which gives power OF growth to every Nv
ing organism; they were not natural cVo-
lutign growing out OF and founded upon
lower schools for popular education. pht
were an artificial creation demanded LOT
special purpose by special cinss. lhey
did no, rest upon the confidence and pat
ronage of the great people: they were not
fed by public schools ana did not grow
for lack OF food TO grow on.
They were dependent upon small domi-
nant class for their maintenance and he-
velopment. and tho overthrow OF inns Grass
nv the fortunes OF war destroyed Mt one
blow tho Southern institutions for higher
cdrica ton.
With the establishment OF public school
systems in all the Southern States there
has come n new conception OF higher edu-
cation and a stronger basis for 'ts support
and development. Two generations have
now been educated In the public schools OF
the South, and they ore demanding higher
education. They are making genuine do
mand. which Is echoed In every public
school and heard In the halls OF legislation,
and viii not be satisfied until at least every
larger State is provided with one thorough
ly equipped State university.
The hope OF higher education in the
South depends upon the State universities.
and the hope OF State universities Is tated
upon the development OF PUBIC krhcois.
Tho Southern universities are rapiciy iui
filling this hope. in the face OF Continued
opporition, and threatening dangers. the
south is undergoing a social. political and
Industrial upheayai as great as an Garth
quake. The people are feeling their power
and manifesting 1t In every direction
The South is learning the lesson OF or
ganiLation, she III learning thhi 'omihth-
ties are greater than individuals, spe u
learning that government IL not the Test
which does the least. but which does the
most. compatible with individual effort and
Individual liberty The New South 10 tho
Sovth OF organization. IT. q ORGANIZING 70
secure better instrumentaltties for the dc-
veloprnent Of us material res0urcss, bt.ter
means OF production. better fatalities fos
transportation. better markets. 10 secure
better systems Of public education Year BY
year II has increased the tax rate for the
Inc problem. not only Of It's own education,
but The still greater problem. the greatest
mat ever confronted people. tho probllnn
az educating and developing the negro fhe
does not shrl,ik from IT. snlution. For two
centuries she bravely carried a ner aims
she viii patlsntay carry upon her b~ck The
pegrp freepnan. ~ &