We are highly opposed to mixed colleges. We saw many young ladies of Asbury University, State University, N.WC. University, and Franklin College, while at the Contest,¹ and thought they appeared, generally, intelligent looking; yet they have a masculine and bold mien; they lack that mild, gentle, modest and retiring manner — the violet modesty — which constitutes the true nature of woman. We also found that the young gentlemen of those colleges seemed to lack the finer nature that young men should have for the gentler sex. They appeared to want the finer civilities that man should have for woman. We attribute it all to the fact of their being in their company so much. “Familiarity breeds contempt.”

          Right here, let us say, we think the admittance of young ladies into the preparatory department of Hanover College is a serious fault. We believe it both injurious to the college, as well as to the young ladies; besides, it is against the true principles of the college. Hanover College is for the education of young men, not for young ladies. Where, then, do they get the authority to put young ladies into the preparatory department? They may say the preparatory department is not Hanover College. But then it is a part of the college, and is under the same laws. Parents send their sons to the preparatory department to prepare for the college classes, and it does not seem right to have the professors spend the time they should give their sons on the young ladies of Hanover

I.   The second Indiana State Oratorical Contest, which was held in Greencastle, Indiana on March 2, 1876.