Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1915-03-26
"PLEADs FOR LATIN"
Communication

meant to be an EDITORIAL; at least it
occupied the place in which we usu-
ally look for editorials, Or similar
exposes of journalistic wisdom. To
anyone who has read the editorial
there must come the rather hazy
idea that the editor would Danish
Latin to the realms of archaeology,
to the antiquated sanctum of lost
arts. It is surely surprising to find
that knowledge may issue from the
most unexpected sources. 1t is new
err too late to learn! But, to the
facts.
The criticism begins after this
manner: while we have heard pro-
fessors attempt to define pure cul-
ture, but never could clearly appre-
bend it, and doubt if the profs them
selves know just what they are driv-
ing at. y So the editor could new
er clearly apprehend the meaning of
pure culture? and, in consequence,
|
It surely must have been trying!
If the case is correctly stated the
editor would have made more money
by becoming a professor; possibly
that would have been his vocation
did not his conscience protest
against obtaining money under false
pretenses; for, that is what the pro-
fessors do who teach things regard
ing pure culture" without knowing
what they are driving at We might
attempt to define pure culture" as
We see it; and our definition might
appeal to many minds; but where is
the use? Surely, all who have read
that contribution are convinced be-
yond the possibility of a doubt that
there is no such thing as pure cul-
ture and that Latin is the twin sis
ter of Nihilism. Why spoil good
thing, and cause mental distress to
the writer's and readers of editorials?
Anyhow the editor maintains that,
to use his own words, 1.-The object
that Wisconsin University has been
striving for in recent years is to
teach it's pupils to do things, to
teach them the things they need to
know in order to make a living and
aid in the development of our civil
cation. =" Surely the University Of
Wisconsin has done, and is still do
ing this, and more; but it is evil
dent that the writer of that editor
ial never attended the University I'm.
doubtedly the University mourns it's
fate! Had he attended, or had he
cared to read and think, he would
have been convinced that some of
the most learned men of the fac
ulty are they who preside over the
classical course But We may ask
the simple question: Does not Lat
in help men to make a living and
contribute to the development of our
civilization? We shall see; in the
meantime let us read further.
pure culture" the writer contin-
ues, whatever it is, is something
ETHEREAL, having no connection with
such sordid things as bread and
butter 1t teaches things not because
they are of any practical value, but
- pure culture is something
ETHEREAL; at least that furnishes an
idea. Never too late to learn! Per-
haps had the writer pursued his re-
searches he might have arrived at a
knowledge of what the thing really
is. But he thought he might &C.
quire only a little knowledge, and
he was aware of the saying: A lit
tie knowledge is a dangerous thing.
So he wisely desisted. pure culture
teaches things not because they
have any practical value" but
when may thing be said to have a
practical value? That is a second
question proposed for solution.
Latin he says, lis a culture
study. Why? Because it takes a
lot of hard work to get it," How
about any other branch Of human
learning? Personally it would take
me far longer to master electrical en-
gineering than it did to master the
Latin Classics. And am l alone?
Besides, is there any truth in the fol-
lowing words: Its only value when
you get it is that it sets you off
from the common herd who know
nothing but mathematics, history,
economics, chemistry and the other
vulgar branches that people make
use of to earn a living" Had he
the names of any more of the "vul-
gar branches he surely would have
elected them from his system. More
over, had he ever acquired a knowl-
edge of mathematics, history, econ
omics, chemistry, etc., he undoubted-
ly would have learned to respect
education in general, and each brancl
of it in particular.