The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-08-27

/ t Gu AIo1I FAX SA~
ancial uppor there are three classes
Of American colleges One class de-
rives its support from student fees
The colleges Of this class either charge
very large fees or do a limited type
Of work. However. the number IN
this class is necessarily decreasing
Many colleges Of this kind ave been
nobiy patriotic and to them the public
owes a debt it will never be able to
pay.
Another class derives its support
from annual contributions which are
either the gifts of benefactors or ap-
preparations by the legislature from
the state treasury. To this class
chiefly belong the schools under State
control to which are made annual ap-
propriations. While these colleges
also have an income from fees collect
ed, yet they secure their main ppo
from the appropriations.
The third class gets its support
from the income Of dividends on per-
| manent endowments which generally
come as gifts by generous and patrt-
otto persons. To this class Of inStitu-
tons belong all the older n stronger
universities and colleges Of the ma
ton, such as Harvard, Yale, Prince
ton, Columbia, Amherst Bowdotn.
Dartmouth and many others both for
men and Ome
The endowed college has peculiar
advantages, and it is hes advantages
that furnish the soundest and strong
est reasons for the policy Of endowfng
them. The chief advantage is the Sc
curity which an endowment gives to
the institution against all financial
embarraSSments and the inevitable
annoyances that arise from a sense OF
insecurity. But this sense of security
is Of far more interest to the public
than it is to the college. It would be
hard to conceive Of a greater public
calamity thar to have the institutions
whose function it is to preserve and
develop all hat is vital in a civiliza-
ton enfeebled and crippled by a feel
ing Of uncertainty and servile need.
To prostitute the souls Of colleges is
to prostitute the heart Of a civilization.
This is the serious aspect of this ques-
ton that makes it n Of the supreme
issues Of public welfare. No amount
of material prosperity can Offset the
dreadful. weakness Of the %centers from
which a nation must get its intellect
ual and moral strength.
The endowed college is specially fit
ed for educational leadership. Not
dependent upon popularity for its pat
ronage and financial support it is free
from the temptation to fix educational
standards, methods, and policies In
accordance with public tastes rathe,
than public needs. Especially is it IN
a position to oppose all the chear
schemes which a mercenary spirit
may devise and impose upon the pub
lie in the name of education, and this
service to the public can not be sum.
GENTLY valued. It near far more
than n can express to have a sur
protection of a peoples mental train
ing and character against the sordii
and selfish desires Of a commercial
spirit. And this protection is pre-
eminently the opportunity Of tn
strongly endowed college OF univer
: sity.
From the college must continual.
come the trained citizen who will ex
ercise the most lasting influence upo1
his times. It is. therefore, OF suprem'
. Importance to the public that tn
community in which and by whic!
, this leading influence is created am
+ directed shall be sound in it's doc
. trines. strong in it's character. and I'm