THE CINCINNATUS. 



VOL. 11. JUNE 1, 1857. NO. 6. 



OUR COLLEGE, ERRORS IN RESPECT TO ITS OBJECT 



AND AIM. 



Education, universal education, may be said to be the watchword 

 of the age. Hence a system of common schools more or less ex- 

 tensive, and free to all, is established in many of the States of our 

 great republic. And it is pleasing to know, and record the fact, 

 that from our republic's first dawn, indeed from the day our fore- 

 fathers set foot on Plymouth rock, learning and religion have been 

 regarded as the firmest pillars of our strength and the stability of a 

 nation. It was the very genius of the reformation to inspire these 

 yiews, and to adopt them in practice. 



An educated class should ever be regarded as a barbarism and 

 a heathenism, an educated race the only Christian idea, and the low- 

 est end worthy to be sought, by a Christian nation. It is in conse- 

 quence of such faith and a corresponding practice that our progress 

 has been so rapid, our prosperity so permanent. 



It is the mission of our free American Republic to educate not a 

 clique or caste, but to educate the race in such a way as most efi'ect- 

 ually to prepare man, every man, for his life-work — to educate the 

 leaders, at least of the so-called industrial pursuits, in such manner, 

 and to such extent as to stand alongside of those in the learned pro- 

 fessions — not as talkers, as debaters, but as efficient, educated 

 workers. 



The question comes up, is such a work practicable ? Is it de- 

 manded? As to the importance of the latter, none will question. — 

 As to the former, it is yet unsolved. There has been a world of 

 talk and speculation about it. Senates have discussed it, the leading 

 minds in two hemispheres have of late held forth its importance j 

 VOL. II., VI.— 16. (241) 



