The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
By FREDERIC j. HASKINS
By FREDERIC J. HASKTNS

Shall we have a national university?
That question was asked by the signers
OF the Declaration of independence. It
was asked by the trainers of the Con-
sttution. It was asked IN the first ad-
miuistratiou and in the First Congress of
the United States The answer was
yes" by George Washington when he
was presiding over the constitutional
convention. and again when he was Presi-
dent Of the United States. Ten Presi-
dents after him-John Adams, Thomas
jefferson, James Madison. James Mon
roe John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jack
son. James X. Polk. Ulysses s. Grant,
James a. Garfield, and benjamin. Harri-
son-each in the most positive terms, de
clared for the establishment Of a ma
tional university The First Congress. in
its response to the address of the Presi-
dent agreed with him that there should
be such am institution at the same time
advising the establishment Of a Military
Academy. TIE Military Academy was
soon foun6cd-in 1902 The republic was
still young. with soldiers Of the Revolu-
JiOu surviving, when In lS42, the Naval
Academy was founded.
From the beginning of the government
10 the present day the national uniYer-
sity idea has possessed "a lofty place IN
the minds of the foremost of American
leaders In politics. science, and letters.
The failure to establish the institution Is
one Of the most singular things In all the
history of the American people. all the
more curious in consideration of the TACT
that it was uppermost IN the minds OF
our greatest mcn-men admitted through
ont the world to be among the first Of
constructive statesmen of modern times.
Such delegates % the constitutional con
veDti0n as James Madison, John Adams,
and BENJAMIN Franklin even urged the
incorporation in the Constitution OF a pro
vision for a national university. Gen,
Washington. in his retirement rejecting
upon the future of mis- country, proved
his earnestnesss by providing in his last
will and testament a heQucst OF $1,000
In the then valuable stock of the Potomac
Company toward the founding of uni
versity in Federal City.
Washington and jefferson often talked
and corresponded about il; James Madison
pleaded for 1t In three messages 10 Con
gress; Samuel Blodgett. author Of the first
American work on political economy, no
tilted Congress in 1875 that from 1900
subscribers S30.000 had been received for
the university fund; Gustavus Scott. VII
liam Thornton, and Alexander White Of
q commission created under the act TO
establish a temporary and permanent seat
Of government of the United States In
1886. memorlalized Congress for the en-
actment of a law authorizing the proper
rrr.gs a. lion 4l
and hold estates, real and personal prop
erty which may be granted for the use
of the university about to be established
But facilities for training the people TO
appreciate the advantages of the noble
project were scarce in the young republic
and Congress could not be led 20 make
provision for its establishment. Not until
1916 was another notable effort made. Then
a special committee of the House prepared
ana presented bill for its immediate
establishment" That was the best done.
Leaders In politics and in all branches of
scientific attainment continued 10 advO-
cate it. but stin Congress would do moth
ing. Next came along the National Edu-
Catoual Association, which, I'm 1863, Gre
atCd a general committee with iustTuc-
tions 90 prepare a bill. This determination
was based upon the report made by one
the United States Commissioner of Edu-
cation. after q two years tour of America
and Europe. S~ldyiug educational condi-
tjons. The general committees report was
unanimously concurred in by the national
association.
Without going into the details OF the
Plan. which received the appreciation OF
statesmen and educators throughout tae
country. it displayed, in general terms
these salient features as most worthy Of
c0nsummation
That it should ba broad enough 20 en-
brace every department of science, Ut5ra-
ture. and the arts and every real profes-
sion.
That It should be high enough to sup
pIement the highest existing institutions
Of the country, and to embrace within its
fields Of instruction the utmost limits Of
human knowledge.
That In the interest Of truth and JUS
tiCe il should guarantee equal privileges
TO al duly qualified applicants for admis-
sion 10 the course of instruction, and
equal rights, as well as the largest free
dom to all earnest Investigators in that
vast domain which lies outside the limits
Of acknowledged science.
That il should be 60 constituted and
established as to command the hearty
support of the American people, regard
less of section, party. or creed.
That is material resources should be
vast enough to enable it to furnish, and
that either freely. or at nominal cost, the
best instruction the world can afford. but
also 10 provide the best-knoWn facilities
for the work of scientific Investigation
together with endowed felloWships and
honorary fol0Wships, open respectively u
the most merit0rious graduates and 20
such investigators whether native or for
eiga as being candidates therefor. shall
have distinguished themselves most in the
advancement Of knowledge.
That Il should be so co-ordinated in
plan with other Institutions Of the coun-
Try as not only % conflict in no way with
them, but or the contrary, to become
at once a potent agency for their improve
ment and the means Of creating a com
plete harmonious, and efficient system Of
American education.
And the general committee stated in
conclusion OF It's outline Of the scope
Of the enterprise that the idea Of q ma
tional university is as old as the nation.
has had the fullest sanction Of the wisest
and best men Of succeeding generations,
and is In perfect harmony with the policy
and practice Of the government"
The great lights Of the Supreme Court
and statesmen Of international fame
serving I'm the Cabinets Of Presidents have
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