Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-21

left without witness OF the divine in
mental and moral capacity; that men
are so bound up together that educ
alton must be for all, and that the
personality Of every man Is sarced.
He gave a lesson in political econo-
my and social science that should
be delivered in every household in
the Southland regardless OF race or
color. when he said:
Democracy bears living witness 20
the capacity of the downmost man.
. There are in American history mum
0erlcss examples of the fact that the
common man has stored arp in him
uncommon powers for highest life
ana service OF man Lincoln. Grant.
Douglass are only conspicuous ex-
amples.
Tais is the meaning OF equal
ity:-uot that every man in capacity
is the equal of every other man. or
ttat there is any such thing as
equality OF gifts ANA pow ers. for
&c is q truisn that Liberty leads to
inequality based on natural dlneren-
ces OF capacity and application among
men, lt Is rather that ia q dem
scracy. Every man has rigat 90 g.
quality OF opportunity: may claim
equal rights with every other
man 20 free uufoldment of
all the powers and possibilities that
are stored UP in him tlat there are
diversities of gifts. but one spirit
or freedom; that uo artificial barrier
shall be placed in the way of any
man. that in civil life there shah
ho not spirit or repression. bat of
broad and generous recognldon.
Howard University stands for just
tEis it simply opens to any man
o. any race the chance Co unfold the
best and divinost chat is in him, so
FAR ass broad educational opportunity
Is help 90 this end
While we make strong plea for
lhc higher education we believe with
President King, iu his great iuaug--
raL that nothing iusddes the exc
traordiuary emphasis ON the luteUcc-
tgal gs tbe one aim OF education. "
The end in education is not simply
suartucss. bat Character. moral vir-
flity. goodness. usefulness Let
there De scholarship. hlgh and un-
fettercj Let the doors go widest
knowledge be thrown omen TO every
man. but the aim shah De scholar
ship not for its own sake. or for the
sake OF mere personal gain. but
scholarship. held i1 trust for the
sake of The human race and for the
quickcning and uplifting of national
Nfc. Manhood. alau- With scholar
ship. character. through culture, is
the goal.
To would he wei ror every one 90
read the above declarations oeoin and
again. lie win Cud new thoughts
and now ideas brstHns in his mind
after each thoughtful consideration
OF ITS tenets But hero is The state
mcnt around which AN revolves. Tt
bears out the contentious set forth
In our issue OF last week. Here st is;
What may the Nation that helped
make possible tnc laying of the nrm
foundation OF Howard University
on This hoirht overlooking the Capi-
toll and that for forty years has fos-
tered Do. riehtfuuy expect of its
tho nation touches the education
90 the Negro people given ny
that nation ,he fearful boon OF
freedom and lowered with tre
obligations of citizenship With
t-e millions wisely devoted 90
state universities I'm tAe South. not
one state institution for tho higher
eIucrtIou of tho Negro race is thus
maintained. The Repre- cutatlscs
therefore from south and North may
.. nrnH I'D Goa. .. .H.
ing this central university Tor The
higher trai0i-l OF the teachers and
helpers of "a r.ce.'
Is there ary room for doubt here2
ls trcre arE e-ounl Cor amy misun-
.ore'autms7 ur. Tnirsield IS plain
oa wen ass emphatic and II we are to
Judge by hia scholarly utterances. the
uon who attempt to lower the stand
ard OF excellence viii have trouble.
while he has charge.
We DO NOT intend to infer Shat DIT.
Booker r.. Washington would attempt
20 90 90. on Che contrary. we believe
that under che wise far-seeing man.
agement Of Dr. Thirkield. Dr. Wash
ineton will Doe persuaded that his
children and relatives can secure
rt Howard University as thor
ough education in the years TO.
come as they may be able TO secure.
I'm some OF the best colleges in New
England.
DIT Thirkield ISL