Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1910-08-19


tive from Central Africa, who
have never known clothing, peO.
pie at the bottom of the scale
and passing through many grada-
tiOns to the most enlightened of
Western Europe, and of America
and of Japan, on the other side
of the earth.
The disparities of these various
people were in some degree in
herited and inheritent. But it
should not be overlooked that
placed in favorable environment,
and given incentives to learn,
even the IrOgOteS from the Phil
ippines and the naked dwarfs
from Central Africa, progressed.
More marked, however, is the
improvement accomplished when
the young man or the young wO-
man of a progressive race is pro-
vided the most favorable oppor-
tunitieS, instructors and surround.
ings.
Appreciation of the elements
which have made possible the
more desirable position of the ad-
vanced peoples has led nations
and states to provide for the dis
cOvery and dissemination of the
knowledge and the promotion of
correct and efficient habits of
thought. To the colleges and uni
verSities Of Western Europe and
the British Isles the leading posi-
tiOns Of peoples of that enlight-
ened quarter is largely due. The
world at large is debtor to these
beacon lights in amounts that
may never be paid.
When Europeans took possess
ion of the Atlantic Coast of
North America those who settled
in New England spared luxuries
and planted schools and colleges.
That this section has held a lead
ing position in prosperity and has
had more than an even share in
the influences potent in shaping
policies and events in the Unit
ed States is attributable to pow
er developed in its people by
the educational Institutions at
their doors.
New England might have said
in her colonial days that it would
be cheaper to pay the expenses
Of her sons to cross the Atlantic
and attend the well established
universities of Old England than
to found and support colleges in
the New World. Fortunately for
what was then New England s
future, but is now her past and
present, her guiding minds real
lied that the university at hand
would be attended by scores in
stead of the few who would, or
could cross the sea.
They realized also that the edu-
Gators and the educational insti-
tutiOns and their products in
their new communities would be
an inspiration worth more than
the cost.
The states of the Middle West
have not lost the object lessons
of Western Europe, of Great Brit
ian and of New England. Cole
ges have been established under
church auspices. But the Middle
West has appreciated the fact
that while the denOminatiOnal col
legeS were able to do a great
work, there was a need for equip
ment and facilities for instruc-
tiOn and research which could
best and soonest be supplied by
the states in their sovereign ca
pacity. A result has been the
founding of great state UNIVERSE
ties, providing opportunities un.
excelled and melting to activities
that lead to the highest educa
tional development.
Kansas stands well in the
front ranks of commonwealth
which realize the value of the in
, fluence that proceed from a grear
state university in her midst. Th'
instruction to the states youth
: the research carried on, the labor
t of highly cultured instructors fO-
/ the advancement of the people
and the silent influences carried
e on the return Of students to tn
homes in the remOtest parts o
the state will, as in the case o
e New England, yield ample return
liz dollars and cents on accOun
t Of developed efficiency, and
+ greater and more enduring retur
-