The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1920-09-26

added opportunities bring added re
sponsibilities, and that, in the enfran
ehisement Of women, new obligation.
devolve upon this institution in the
discharge of its function in the com.
monwealth. We must add to the worl
hitherto provided here all possible in.
strumentalities for preparing womer
to meet their now full duties Of
citizenship.
1t has become truism to say that
" education is the bulwark of democ-
lracy." But in these unsettled times
we should reflect upon this statement
with increased solemnity, for there is
more Of significance in it today than
at any time in the past. For it is not
only necessary in these times to be
sufficiently informed to be able to
function intelligently in a well organ
lied government, but it is also neces-
lsary to know how to evaluate the
thousand and one fantasies of political
and economic theory that are char
Iacteristic of the day, many of which
engage the attention and the espousal
not only of the ignorant, but of the
half educated as well. The dangerous
doctrines Of so-called Socialism, of
Bolshevism, and other isms of the day,
must be met by citizenship whose
political action is founded upon the
solid rock of accurate information
and certainty of knowledge as to the
relation of doctrine to experience and
cause to effect. 1t is only in our
ability to maintain body of people
thus strong and sure in themselves
that there can be security for the ship
of state in these unsettled times. In
education must rest our main depend
dence to stabilize the unquiet emotions
that are impelling men now into all
sorts of organizations and societies
to oppose the existing order.
In education, also, is to be found
the remedy for the great evils and
the diseases before which mankind in
~
the past has been helpless; and it
rests with our educational institutions
that the people at large may have adj
vantage Of the best knowledge in
meeting the daily tasks of life in order
that they may discharge efficiently the
duties that fall upon them and to in
stitute improved ways of doing
things.
We wish to build up here curricu-
lum that shall be second to none in its
wise adaptation and organization to
place before our young women the full
scope of education in its best sense.
The curriculum Of this institution has
been known in the past for quality of
achievement, and for varied and prac-
tical training. We wish to lose none
of these things, but to go ever for
ward in perfecting and extending the
curriculum to serve every need. We
should like to so organize it that
whatever work is entered upon, the
four years course Of study at the
institution shall be in genuine higher
learning and the diploma of gradua-
ton shall represent that scholarly at
tainment and breadth of precision of
knowledge which college graduation
should stand for everywhere. The
women of Mississippi are entitled to
this, and the Mississippi State College
for Women must be recognized as I'M
|questionably a college of the first
rank, known everywhere as such,
with standing alongside the best col
leges of the South.
In the past, custom and tradition, in
fashion for dress, and shoes, and in
habits, have unconsciously 'empha-
sized the physical frailty of women
and tended to increase it. All this il
lis first consideration to change, il
women are indeed to enter upon the
exercise of all their latent powers. A
rational system of physical education
for girls will safeguard their natural
frailties and build up their general
health and strength so as to minimize
these. An effort will be made here
to make use of the best knowledge il
regard to the corrective as well as the
upbuilding effects Of exercise, and t.
have physical regime that will in
clude the adaptation of exercises thai
will meet the individual needs.
But with all our feelings of the
Importance of this institution and eff
forts to promote this, we do not wisl
to forget that this college is but on
unit in the state system of education
and that it's best service depends il
large measure upon a proper recog
milton of the others and maintaining
relationships of utilization and frater
nifty with them. We want to have tn
most friendly relations and under