The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-08-27
The Value and the Duty
OF the Endowed Colleges
B 7
Bishop John c. Kilgo OF the Methodist Episcopal Church South

hindered in its work. Common OBJ
~serVation is enough to assure anybody
that a strong and vigorous character
can not be produced in q community
that heSitates to take a clear and
positive attitude on all matters Of Sc
rious concern. And certainly no COM
monwealth can expect to get a self
reliant and independent leadership
from an institution of learning that
must exercise constant care lest it dis
agree with popular sentiments though
hey be false sentiments. Because the
endowed college is under no necessity
to court doubtful favor it is in posi-
ton to train q fearless patriotism and
to prepare for the state a class or
leaders that will consult the right in
stead Of following the convenient
The endowed college has a peculiar
duty in a nation like our own where
political parties exist and public Ques-
tons are decided by majority votes.
The founders of this republic intend
ed to give to each citizen a free ballot
but all know that partzan intensity
and political bosSism AVE often de-
stroyed the free ballot and fastened
On the public a reign OF evil. A free
ballot is secure only in an invincible
sense Of freedom that rules in the
1ill11u duU CCIiSC1e11CS O1 the FOla. AS
long as designing men by schemes
and i~ntimidations and threats and
the use Of organized institutions can
govern elections our civilization will
be in peril. And to have colleges ex-
posed to the selfish domination OF
partizan rule and unpatriotic bosses
is n Of the worst calamities that can
possibly befal our nation. Higher
education should be wholly beyond
nNJitiEo1 n st wv Nv .ol;tioaI tro- -
this car be effectively accomplished
by adequate endowments. and BY no
other method a it be assuredly done
In a. republic there will come peri
DDS OF mental storm and agitation.
They are inevitable whether they are
necessary or not necessary. At such
times there is great uncertainty and
unhealthy caution. Business men
hold their opinions with anxiety. po-
llucal leaders avoid friction, n a
feeling Of e pervades all classes OF
men. Amid such conditions the col-
leges which represent in their facul-
ties the best trained minds should be
Tar removed from the ~intimidating in
%fluences of their surroundings, and
become the guiding spirits Of a con-
fused and passionate public. This is
n OF the highest services that coll
can render a nation, and espe-
10Ay q 1ol4Ou Ike OURS. But II inc
support OF a college depends upon
public favors, if it rests with popular
approval. will it not naturally become
silent? Will it not approve where il
should condemn and condemn
where it should approve? VIII it not
excuse itself from public service on
the grounds that its place is not in
the scenes of strife and toll? America
needs and must have a strong class Of
colleges that can serve when service
Is most needed and these colleges
u be made fully Independent Of
threats and immoral domination.
II Is useless to multiply in detail
the various vital functions of the
strongly endowed college In the life Of
a nation, particularly a nation ike
This American republic. There is not
a national principle, a public virtue
an American spirit, a doctrine Of NOR
al or any Of the Fundamental
oellefs OF our civilization. that will NOT
De better protected and taught in col
We'll endowed than in colleges
not endowed. And here in the South
all persons who have a sincere1inter
est in the welfare Of society and earn
eStiy oes1re to do something of real
worth Tor their section can do moth
ing Detter than to largely endow a
number Of colleges, making them
s1rons enough to rank with the richly
endowed colleges Of the North which
noid such a leading place in all our
natlonaI life and activities. This is a
puo1c work that should appeal to the
oeepest Sense of patriotism and en-
sase NE cooperation OF all who have
the ability to see and appreciate the
hoOier Things OF a peoples life.
III