The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-29

Ir,eeln~ or che Alumni OF Columhsa College
Centennial Celebration.
The Alumni Of Columbia College assembled Tues
terday afternoon, In the chapel Of the College, to
hear the report Of the general committee appoint
Cd on the 2sth Of April last. The attendance was
very respectable, among those present being Robert
Kelly, Judge Mason, Professor Renwick, Dr.. VIM.
Morrow Knox, &c. Judge Mason was called to the
chair, and Rev. Mr.. Leonard acted as secretary.
After the usual preliminary proceeding, Robert
Kelly, ESQ. presented to the meeting the following
REPORT.
The General Committee of the Alumni Of Colum-
bic College, appointed at the meeting held in the
College chapel, on 22d April last, have the honor
to submit report Of their proceedings, accompa-
MED by resolutions embracing the results of their
deliberations, for the consideration of the alumni
The 9th and 9th resolutions adopted at said meet
ing are az follows
Resolved That is not expedient for the alumni to
join IN the proposed celebration of the centennial ami
ve.sary Of the College, until understanding 10 bad
with the trustees the spirit of the proposed cee
Grafton AID Of the future Of the College
Resolved, That committee from the classes here pre-.
TO the proposed celebration and report to the alumni
at early day the eIpediency Of their uniting in
taken on the part Il the alumni 70 Increase the pros
ssss 81 their alma water.
The committee have held several meetings, some
OF them Of long duration, all highly interesting,
well attended, and characterized by an unani
nous sentiment Of aGectionate veneration for
the institution where they were educated, ar
dent zeal to promote it's best interests, and sim
eere desire to act In harmony and in conjunction
with the trustees in devsing measures for its ad-
vantage Some of the subjects brought before them
have been elaborated by special committees appoint
ed OF their own number, and by careful considera-
ton and thorough discussion in every case in the
general committee, harmonious action has been at
tanned. They are happy in conveying to the alum
nj their mutual testimony with respect to the spirit
that has pervaded their deliberations, although they
do not have the qualification Of announcing that
their labors have been crowned with the success
they have strven earnestly to insure.
With reference to the first branch of the duties
assigned them in the above quoted resolutions, they
ing conference with the trustees. The following
communication was addressed to that body, and
presented at their regular raonthly meeting, held
May lst, accompanied by copy Of the resolution
GErnHS-The Committee of the alumni Of Colum-
Ola College appointed At meeting Of the alumni held
faorissd The undeFsgned as their officers, respectfully
= invite conference with the committee on the part Of
The trustees upon the subjects involved In the purpose
Of their appointment, in such mode may be deemed
best BY the trustees.
We beg leave copy Of the resolution consti
''s 'A' committee si RSSh ssiS;i KELLY Chairman
10 the Board q trustees te 81 Columbia College.
The following official note explains the action Of
the Board of Trustees at said meeting:-
At stated meeting Of the Trustees Of Columbia Col
hge held at the College Monday the LIST Of Nay 1854
a Communication having been received from Robert
committee of the alumni, IL was
Resolved, That the consideration Of the communi.
cation just received from the Committee Of the Alumni
stated meeting
Of the Board.
WILLIAM BETS, Clerk
10 ROaur KnLY, ESQ. Chairman
JOIN n. MASON, ESQ, Secretary.
At the monthly meeting Of the trustees, held
june 9Th, the communication was taken up, and the
result Of the consideration given TO it announc-
ed to your committee in the following official note:-
At stated meeting Of the Board Of Trustees Of Co.
nmbia College, held At the College on Monday the 9th
Resolved That under existing circumstances, pub
the granting q is9n Of the college
would not be and that the same be according
Resolved, That . copy Of the above resolutions be
fuSnhed by the clerk to the committee Of the alumni
1.em whom Communication was received by the Board
WILLIAM BETS Clerk.
Your committee regard this action as Q detlnitive
termination of their duty the organ Of the alumni
10 the Board Of trustees, and have nothing fur
Their to do in this connection but to inform the alum
nj Of the manner In which their efforts to open Q
communication with the trustees have been met and
yepnlsed.
1nnoture does not seem to be desired by the body
Entrusted by law with the government Of the Col
lege and the administration of It's affairs. If
fheir exerti0ns and influence can be rendered avail
able at any time hereafter in the service Of the Col
kge, they will be cheerfuly and zealously render
HE reproaches that are cast upon her. Their re-
cent action is manifestation, on the first occasion
that has presented ITSELF of their modification that
they ca.aot vindcate her against the facts Of her
fury, during which the nation has been born and
risen - be one Of the first powers Of the world, the
city Of New York from its humble provincial rank
has become the metropolis of the continent and the
surrounding population has grown from ten thou
sand to nearly million, Columbia College Is
nothing more than small, respectable college;
that during their experience they have seen pro
Eess OF any kind; that its classes are no larger
than they were thirty years ago; that there has
been no strengthening of the undergraduate course;
no commencement Of superior university scheme;
extension of the facilities Of instruction to meet
The varied educational wants Of the intelligent,
energetic and industrial community within the inn
mediate sphere Of its operations; no advance in its
teachings to keep pace with the advance Of man
and in all the departments Of human knowledge.
They have no design to subvert the foundations or
pervert the influences Of the College, to violate any
obligations to degrade its collegiate course 80 re-
spectacle in the classical element, to place the
administration Of its affairs in inexperienced, incom
petent and unstable hands, but will be ready to re-
ast al dangerous innovations from whatever quarter
they may arise They will claim the honor of being
he champions when the institution shall be placed
in the rank where from its age its position and its
property, it ought to stand. They will use their
exertions, when they shall be justified in doing so,
rally around Columbia the sympathies Of the COM
munity, now 80 evidently and so much estranged,
and win hail with the 1oudest acclaim the day of
It's regeneration.
The trustees have wisely come to the conclusion,
mite plan for the improvement Of the institution to
dispense with the proposed centennial celebration.
The epoch for jubilee will be when they shall have