Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-02-29
BY BISHOP WARREN A GAMBLER.

Thomas Jefferson. "the author Of the
Declaration OF Independence and the
founder of the University Of Virginia,
vas a profound philosopher and a far
seeing statesman Throughout his
writings are may tnIngs TO which the
present generation would do well 20 re-
vert.
Among other things which he said is
the following utterance. 1t is not By
the consolidation or Concentration OF
powers. but by their distribution that
good government Is effected Were not
this country already divided into states,
that division must be made that each
might do for itself what concerns itself
directly, and what it can so much better
90 than distant authority. Every state
is again divided into counties, each to
take care OF what lies within its local
bounds; each county again. into town
ships or wards, TO manage minuter de-
Iails: and every ward into farms, &c
be sUverned each by its individual pro-
prietoT. Were we directed from Wash
ington when 10 sow and when TO reap
we should soon want bread. 1t Is by
this partisan Of cares, descending in
graduation from general TO particular
that the mass OF human affairs may be
best managed for the good and prosper
ity OF ALL
These words. of the great Virginian
contain truths which we are in danger
Of overlooking The habit Of looking
to the federal government for every
thing has been growing upon the people
of the United States for a good many
years. and tire exhibition of the power
of the centralized government of Ger
many. which has been further in tho
same direction. But the tendency is q
=rnrrHH M lOSa
freedom and our personal independence
by the absorption OF all individual re-
sponsibilities and state functions in the
general government
A policy of Capitalization may lead
apparently TO power but in the end il
means the destruction OF our political
institutions and the subversiOn OF our
social system
In matters educational. especially. we
should preserve the spirit of freedom
and exclude all socialistic tendencies
IF educational institutions themselves
become the embodiment of socialism
then we must anticipate in the next
generation soCialistic revolution
These reflections have come 10 me re
Gently in connection with the revival OF
the old proposal for national univer-
sity." The project is as old as General
Washington. but il has never commend
can people.
In the GAYS OF Washington. when the
population of the republic was small
sud widely scattered. there might have
been some sort OF excuse for founding
national university. But now that our
PEOPLE number 100000. Zoo. and our
wealth is greater than that OF any ma
ton which exists. or which ever has eX-
isted. on the face of the earth. there is
eli far al So rrr- u
national university. This great interest
lies quite outside the function and duties
cf the federal government and it will
not suffer by being left in the hands OF
those who have cared for il so munifi-
Gently during the first century of our
rational existence
Recently Representative Tess. OF Ohio
has introduced a bill into congress for
founding national university but IL is
2 bill which. ought not TO pass The
scheme proposes a university made, out
II the laboratories and libraries and men
OF science which have been assembled
AZ Washington by the federal govern
ment- But this aggregation OF men and
things is no argument for the found
ing of a national university They III
their place in the federal government
- they are now used. and should not
re diverted 10 any other ends or pur-
ruses-
The project of a national university
Eill appeal to the imagination of a good
many thoughtless people; but even they
gpOn reflection. viii see that such ar
Institution is not desirable. and would
~ positively dangerous
The faculties would be composed OF
men Of all races. In such an instItu'
ION students of all races and all classe: