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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
February 1926
The U n ivers ity and the State Mr. David O. Uf » , a retired banker and an old friend o f the editor, sends os the following address given bjr the Gov- ernor o f Ndrth Dakota at the State University February 22, 1922, on the thirty-ninth anniversary of the found ing of the Institution, and the thirty-third anniversary of the adoption of the Enabling Act creating the State. This address Is so well calculated to meet the Issue of today In all o f our tax supported schools th .f we » j A a pleasure in presenting It to our readers. Governor Nestos takes the level-headed, practical position so much needed, defending In a clear-cut manner the rights o f both the professors and the patrons, and showing bow parents may safeguard their sons and daughters who may be subject to the soul-destroying poison so often administered by the State-paid teachers.
assembly shall take such other steps as may be necessary to prevent illiteracy, secure a reasonable degree of uni formity in course of study, and to promote industrial, scien tific and agricultural Improvements.” While in section 149 of the Constitution, amplified by section 1389 of the Com piled Laws, the aims and purposes for our educational sys tem are expressed in the following language: "Moral instruction tending to impress upon the minds of pupils the Importance of truthfulness, temperance, purity, public spirit, patriotism, international peace, obedience to parents, due deference for old age, and respect for honest labor shall be given by each teacher in the public schools.” It is therefore clear that the Founders desired not only to promote the industrial, scientific and agricultural develop ment of our state and to prevent illiteracy among our peo ple; but also, by means of our free public schools, including the University, to increase the general intelligence of our people and to promote the patriotism, Integrity and morality of our voters by instruction that would tend to Impress upon the growing mind the vital importance of truthfulness, tem perance, purity, public spirit, patriotism, international peace, obedience to parents, due deference for old age and respect for honest labor of every kind. The Founders had discovered from practical experience in dealing with men and in subduing nature, that the cultivation of these traits of character in our citizens was essential to the growth and stability of the new state and the permanence of its insti tutions. As a graduate of the University and as a man vitally interested in the welfare of the state, I take much pride in the fact that during the life of the University it has con tinued to emphasize the value of these high ideals, and has consistently sought to relate the theoretical work of the institution to the practical problems of life, and has in many ways contributed greatly to the growth of the state by inves tigation and research that have given impetus to the devel opment of our natural resources and industrial life. While rendering this service, the University as a whole has main tained a dignified and purposeful leadership in the educa tional affairs of the state, and in promoting those ideals of academic freedom and civic virility which lie as the foun dation of the successful development of any great institu tion. The Founders were men of high ideals and lofty purposes, who knew the value of the simpler virtues of life in building a fine and noble character in our people. They sought to inculcate these ideals through the educational system of the state, thus insuring the strength and permanence of our institutions; and they were also men of religious convic tions, generally members of some church, who determined to lay the foundation for a Christian civilization in our state. They realized, however, that where denominations are many, and doctrinal differences frequently pronounced, it would be wisdom to prohibit religious instruction in the public schools, and to let such instruction be provided in
NE of the speeches tonight deals with the sub ject of Our debt to the Founders, and in speak ing to you about "The University and the State,” I assume that it was the expectation of the committee that I should discuss this subject in such a way as to show whether in the growth of the University and in its service to the state, it had justified the faith of the Founders, and at least in a measure discharged this indebt edness. As a basis for this discussion, it would be well, it seems to me, to discover what the plans, purposes and ideals of the Founders were in establishing the University. If we exam ine the act adopted in February, 1883, we discover that the stated object in the founding of the University was "to provide a means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various branches of learning connected with scientific, industrial and professional pursuits,” and also "instruction in the fundamental laws of the United States, and of this territory, in what regards the rights and duties of citizens.” This act further provides that "the college or department of arts shall embrace courses of instruction in mathematical, physical and natural sciences, with their application to the Industrial arts, such as agriculture, mechanics, engineering, mining and metallurgy, manufactures, architecture, and such branches included in the college of letters as shall be necessary to proper fitness of the pupils in the scientific and practical courses for their chosen pursuits.” If, during our growth as a University, we have remained true to the purposes of the Founders, and have truly sought to realize these ideals in the work and Influence of the institution, we may well consider that we have paid a goodly portion of our indebtedness to these Founders. If, on the other hand, we discover that we have been faithless to the trust reposed in us, and have forsaken in whole or in material part the high ideals of the Founders, and the purposes for which the institution was established; if we have failed to build the institution in conformity with the foundation laid, and according to their plans for the Uni versity, we may not only have failed to discharge our indebt edness, but we may have so far added to it as to render us bankrupt tonight. It might therefore be well to ascertain what expression they have given in the fundamental law and in our statutory enactments to these principles and ideals, and by what agencies and means they hoped and expected to carry them into effect. In section 147 of the Constitution, the Founders say: "A high degree of intelligence, patriotism, integrity and morality on the part of every voter in a government by the people, being necessary in order to insure the continuance of that government and the prosperity and happiness of the people, the legislative assembly shall make provision for the establishment and maintenance of a system of public schools, which shall be open to all the children of the state of North Dakota and free from sectarian control.” And in section 151 of the Constitution they say: “ The legislative
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