The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-14
THE BS-MERRILL COMPANY
OF

course. II you should eliminate the pro-
fessional motive or the money-gettlng OF
making-a-living motive, now many STU
foreign languages, chemistry, pedagogy,
history, etc.? This Is not said in any spirit
of DISBURSEMENT: But, however much IL
may be lamented by some, in this busy
country of ours, with its small leisure class,
practically every one must give due at
tention to the material side of life-to MAX
ing a living and providing Tor the future.
At present, the prospective teacher the
minister, the lawyer, the physician or the
engineer has a chance TO acquire part
of his technical training at the same time
that he is getting liberal education. why
should such an opportunity be denied the
young man intending to enter business Ire.
We have said before that the purpose or
education was to develop power and Gull
ture. By the development of power we
mean ability to observe quickly and accu-
rately, to analyze subtlely and to generalize
impartially. Perhaps the opponents of the
new proposal will admit that the scientific
study of the subjects enumerated hereto
fore will expand the mental powers and
create the judicial temperament. However,
1t is insisted. they will not give the finer
culture. But the idealism of any college
or university does not depend upon any
particular course. College ideals come from
the atmosphere rather than from any par
ticular subject taught. One cogent reason
for co-ordinating the commercial courses
the existence there of this imperceptible
but persistent influence of the college at
mosphere which makes for culture.
Again, / maintain that the academic
study of the course outlined is not only
disciplinary. but also liberalzing in it's ten
dency. The unbiased and conscientious
study Of any Of the perplexing problems in
the theory or the applications of political
economy demands a power or close and
often subtle reasoning. The unprecedented
study OF the labor question. the trend of
terment cannot fail to inspire a sense or
justice and an obligation of service. A
study of the economic aspects of the liquor
problem will have more influence in form
ing a salutary public sentiment in favor or
temperance and rational temperance legis-
lation than a dozen exaggerated harangueS
or score Of raids upon saloons; The
scientific investigation OF poverty and crime
will broaden the sympathieS and prepare
the way for practical philanthropy and
possibly for later benefactions. My con-
tenton is that the young man who studies
the deeper sociological and economic ques-
tons Is just apt to have the essentials
of culture-eSpectally respect Tor law,
sense OF proportion, independence spirit
of helpfulness and an appreciation OF the
obligations OF wealth-as the student who
pursues other courses.
Besides, 1t is not intended to exclude from
this course the study of languages, htera-
ture, history, science and mathematics.
There will still be opportunity for the stu
dent to put himself en- rapport with the
great characters of history and literature
and to feel the impulses which come from
contact with them.
Furthermore it goes without saying that
any commercial course adopted will not be
compulsory. There will be no danger OF
diverting students from lines of study for
which they have stronger preferences. The
long-accepted courses Will still have a proper
proportion of students The college will con-
tinue to do for these classes all 1t has done
in the past and will, in addition, do some
thing for new constituency and will dis
seminate culture more widely, tending at
the same time to humanize truly the old
courses.
The new element attracted by such
course would not lower the standard of
the student body, but, as Professor Laugh
lin has we'll said. it would introduce new
and vitalizing blood into the student COM
munity, much to the advantage of ALL"
ut (the university will bring force to the
cultural elements and culture to the force
full elements"
1t may be stated as a general proposition
that the more intima tely the college course
is related to actual life the greater will be
the interest and the enthusiasm of the
undergraduate In his work. The CONNER
cial course is designed to do this very thing
That a commercial course will attract to
college those who would not otherwise at
tend can hardly be doubted. That ambitious
without experience and without influential
patrons will ignore this opportunity of
equipping themselves and demonstrating
their worth, i cannot believe. Even the
well-to-do business man who wishes his
son to carry on the business after him
may well rejoice at the chance of giving
his boy culture and broader outlook than
he has enjoyed, while during the same
period the son loses no time In acquiring
business training. The college In thus
bringing within its charmed circle at least
some of the future captains of industry
would not only raise up unto herself loyal
and powerful supporters. but would also
diffuse throughout the whole body a greater
portion of her lofty idealism. Can the uni
versity reasonably throw away, without
trial. this chance of wider usefulness to the
community?