wtsmfimss
P4
" Paddi.k Youh Own Canok."
which wc have referred,) and considering
the mutter somewhat, we hovocomo to the
following conclusions. That, while the
country is soyonng and undeveloped, ills
detrimental, not only to that particular
part, but also to the whole state, for per
sons to attempt to establish and carry on
denominational schools which may claim
to give a complete colh'gc education,
when, in reality, it is an utter 'nipossibili
ty for them to do any such thing. Let
them be carried on, at present, after the
manner of acadmies, and not attempt to
drag a few scholars, superficially, through
acollcgecour.se. Then, as we said, they
could be selfsupporting, and it would not
bo necessary to send out professional beg.
gars to solicit aid to bolster up their tot
tering institutions.
Much could bo said against tho Normal,
not concerning ours hi particular, but all
in general. Not that we would advocate
closing it, (by no means, for a-good school
in that portion of the state is necessary,)
but we believe it would be far better if the
authorities should cut oil tho last two , ears
and make it, as it might well be called, a
Normal academy If this plan were ad
opted, not only in our Normal(bul also in
tlio denominational schools, such enor
mous salaries would not have to bo paid
to' professors to preside over departments
which aro merely nominal. The stale
should not support two schools going over
almost the same ground. But what is
needed is the establishing of several good
academies, whether public or private, in
different parts of tho state, which shruld
assume the preparatory work, and then
the University to furnish the higher edu
cation. But some may say, that tho cut
ting off of tho flrsa year or so of our pre
pnrutory beparlmcnt would decrease the
number of those attending tho University.
What if it should? "Would not these
schools all over tho state, if carried on as
wc BUggest, i. c. to thoroughly lit scholars
for the freshman year, awaken a desire
for a higher education in so many more
than at present, that the number and bet
ter grade of thoso in tho higher classes
would more than compensate for the loss
in the preparatory department?
Then those who have children to edu
cate could send them nearer home, and
have them surrounded by such influence'
and governed by such rules as they might
desiie. These having graduated in the
preparatory schools could then come to tho
University as young men and women gov.
erned only by tho broad rule of morality
and propriety. Young men do not need
the authority of a master, nor do young
women require the scrutinizing oyo of an
ideal matron.
Then let all. and especially influential
editors, aid in biinging about this system.
Instead of hindering the work of tho U
nivcrsity by advocating having matrons,
or in general by hedging the students a.
bout with rules which it would be impos
sible to carry out, may they over use the
pen only in favor of higher education at
tho State University.
"PADJJ US YOUR OWN OAKOH."
Perhaps no phrase of cla-sic Greeok or
silvery Spanih could express more to an
American mind than this terse expression
of our subject. The history of tho ages
is conitinually bringing before your mind
one principle: that will will which
takes no account of obstacles, except to
overcome them wins success, and that
litis is all that is necessary to success.
Independent thought and action rule
tho world: and it must over bo so. "What
men do, and the motives impelling Uiem
aro two great questions, and nothing is
more certain than that no great or good
deed was ever accomplished without in
dipeudence. But while independence is
necessary in order that yon may guide
your canoe successful!', the first tiling is
to see to it that you have canoe.
Is there anything more degrading, in
this advanced age, than to sec a man with
no object in life? He is tossed hither and
thither by tho winds and waves at tho
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