Proceedings of the first Independence congress : held in the city of Manila, Philippine islands, February 22-26, 1930 / Published under the direction of Dean maximo M. Kalaw, executive secretary, University of the Philippines.

182 INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

individuals who attracted around them multitudes from distinct
places. It was then said with propriety that the universities
were founded upon men.
These universities owned their existence to the renaissance
which originated at the beginning of the twelfth century, introducing new ways of thinking to Western Europe through the
interpretation of the medical teachings of Greek physicians and
the works of Aristotle, Euclid, Ptolemy, and the law texts of
Justinian, Papinius and others.
The new knowledge expanded away from cathedral and
monasterial school boundaries, developed the professions, and
attracted across mountains and seas enthusiastic youths who
formed in Paris and Bologne those academic gilds which have
given us the first and best definition of a university, a society
of teachers and students. (Charles Homer Huskins, "The Rise
of Universities.")
The very name 'university" suggests its meaning. It is the
place of a universe. It has always been understood that a
university can teach all kinds of knowledge specially those of
higher grade. It is thus that in our time it is often said that
the university is the seat of learning, the citadel of all knowledge.
It is learning in all its branches and divisions; the knowledge
which comes from history, politics and economics, from physics,
chemistry and mathematics, from poetry, sculpture and music,
all which ennobles the mind, exalts the feeling and enriches
the course of progress. It is also the rendezvous of all men who
wish to learn and know; the old society of teachers and students.
The tradition of every university is to admit all men of any
race or origin; its citizenship is not geographical but universal;
its empire more spiritual than material; founded on the communion of minds, on that subtle life which flows from the
communication and transmission of truth from one man to
another. It matters not what its place is-be it found in the
narrow center of the city or in the open spaces of country, let
it have sumptuous buildings or let it be deprived of beautiful
avenues and gardens, the university exists to teach the highest
degree of knowledge of each epoch. We cannot take from it
the universality of its aim, of its mission. If we wish to teach