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NO. 0.
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A UOMMKKOIAL COUHSK.
It is evidently the aim of ovory educu
tlonnl institution supported by the the
stnto to meet, so fur us possible, tho do.
mauds of tier citizens. And us the var
ious occupations of life niako their re
spective lnlluences felt throughout tho
state, it is hut justice, that their interests
should he represented in tho halls of
learning as woll as in tho halls of legisla
tion. Imbued with this spirit of republi
canism, nothing is more surprising to an
intelligent student entering a University,
than to llnil that every course of study is
based upon some foreign lnngunge, either
modern or ancient. True, language has
become ton certain degree, the criterian
of culture and thorough scholarship. But
the truth nevertheless remains, that lan
guage as a dialot is not thought; that one
may muster a dozen languages, yet bo ut
tcrly destitute of originality. Wo have
sadly learnt that it takes something else
besides language to disclose and develop
the resources of a new state. Yet let it
not be inferred that tho value of language
as n study, or us an accomplishment is to
bo underestimated. But it may be infer
red that we do appreciate tho advan
tages of practical knowledge, so essential
to success in this commercial ago.
Wliile trade and tratllc have become tho
characteristics of the American people,
while- in.stitui ions of learning are surround
cd by the hum n commercial activity, it is
but mockery to llnd within tho college it
self, the meager facilities that are given to
the study of commercial science. It is in
deed surprising to find that the utilitarian
spirit that pervades all American Indus
f tries will allow the practical side of a csili
zens education to be blotted out by tho ex
clusive attention given to the theoretical.
It has bei-n proveil too frequently that tho
perpetuity of republicanism, depends up.
on the practical knowledge that will on
able the citizen to realize the responsibil
ity that lests upon him. This is tho great
aim of our system of free schools and lib
eral education. When this lias bcun at.
tained, then there should ho an opportuni.
ty for assendlng higher. The former ho
owes to his government ; tho latter to
himself and society.
Tho little attention that for thno past
bus been devoted to tho University, per
haps excuses it for tho peculiar courses of
study that it now contains. Originating
when tho state was very young, it lias la.
bored under many disadvantages. Yet
for the means that it has had its disposal,
it lias accomplished more than could bo
expected. But the growing interests of tho
stale, now demand something more than
a college of literature, science and art,
and a college of agriculture; or at least
these courses carried out in their full
moaning.
The commercial interests of every town
and city, now demand an opportunity for
gaining at least some knowlcgo that will
prepare a student for tho banking house,
the sulos-room and the counting-room.
The young men who have already left tho
University to pursue such studies, togath
or with those who are about to leave for
a similar purpose, indicate too plainly
tho want at homo. Tho time has now
come when " the pen is mightier than tho
sword." When six well-trained book,
keepers -could completely route tho wliolo
Military company of tho University.
If a thorough Commercial college can
not now bo established in the University,
certainly the more elementary brunches
of this depaitment.can receive some atten
tion, And even this would satisfy to a
great extent, tho claims that tho commor.
cial interests of tho state so justly do.
inand.
A WOKD TO OUR CONTMUUTOH8.
Wo hear it remarked by some that the
contributed columns of tho Student arc
simply a receptacle for essays and ora.
tions that have previously been delivered
in public. Now, like honest fellows, wo
freelv admit tho charge, but wish to clear
ourselves of any blame that it may imply.
J
