Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-01-27
NO. 27SO
A Reply to an Article Entitled "OhiO
COLLEGES Step Backward y


We take pride in observing our
sister college in Connecticut, so deeply
concerned in the rapid decline of our
Ohio colleges, as to quote in their
| COlTdIt, and with great deal of en-
/ phasis, from the Cincinnati Gazette,
an article relative to the study of the
/ Greek language in our Ohio Colleges
The article is entitled "Ohio colleges
"A Step Backward"
We are fully aware that this word
backward" has peculiar euphOnism
to the entire class of prejudiced Ori-
ents, who fear land we would add,
with n just causel that the recent
establishment of so many colleges in
Ohio will eclipse their glory; that
their future will not have that prOpi-
tious dawn, and finally that excellent
and promising students will learn
that tho t0est can afford advantages
III many respects paramount to our
suPeriors in years.
We would like to have you eastern
colleges consider that the blast Of
your trumpet of civilization has long
since lost its charms in Michigan,
Ohio and Indiana. Yes in less than
ten years the long line of States
bordering upon the Pacific will blow
a blast upon their trumPets of wealth
and knowledge that will agitate "old
foggyism" in the ertreHle east Of nearly
eighty years duration. We are in
what might be called a comfortable
eonditiOn-that is independent, and
not much inferior in wisdom to those
who boast of their valuable advanta-
ges, high standards, &c, and further,
we emphatically deny that any CO.
lumbus Convention was composed Of
representatives from our first class
colleges. The whole article, so liber-
ally quoted, is but small soap
bubble surprisingly inflated. 1t is
but the burning of heap of shavings
exaggerated by the Press until it is
generally understood to be burning
city. 1t can be settled in a few words
when we say that we will not deny
that our second rate colleges held such
a convention, and passed such resO-
lutiOns-colleges which send their
graduates to Hiram, or Oberlin to
acquire in two years of the most
thorough discipline superior scholar
ship. We presume to say that there
are colleges in Conn.,, n. Y. &c,
which are not recognized by Yale as
OF college excellence and proficiency.
Colleges whose conventions Yale
would be the least liable to recognize,
or for whose resolutions she would
be held the least responsible.
We will here take occasion to
appease the minds of our interested
friends, by saying that Alliance,
Hudson, Hiram and Oberlin have
no
knowledge of the Greek language as
q condition of matriculation will be
dispensed with, and that an Opportu-
will be furnished during the college
course"
Our first class colleges in this State,
taken one by one, will to-day emulate
the far famed, and venerable colleges
in the east in the sciences, in the
languages and in thorough drill.
We take for granted that the in
sertiOn and recognition of this article
in the ColrdHt gives evidence of the
sentiments of the college. Hence
we quote: neither the most nor the
best wine can be got from the simple
grape" On the other hand, we say,
that neither the most nor the best
WHO OaA NC 6Ob 4AOAAA NhS hAlhG4AA6
grape.
1t further says: "That the petty
conspiracy referring to the Columbus
was intended to defraud
them Yale) of their senior class" We
know of but one way of answering
of this character, which is
this, that if Yale feels that she has
ever realized, is realizing, or will be
tn
trated by Ohio colleges she must
that it is or will be done on
the broadcast principles of honesty,
and without the slightest pretense to
meanness or unfairness. 1.-THE bird
that flutters least is longest on the
wing"
The COUrant says: That the earnest
who know what they are
about, and have worthy purpose in
seeking a liberal education, will not
hesitate to wait a. long and travel as far
IS may be necessary in order to make
heir four years at college yield them
he highest and most valuable ad-
It will do very well for
Yale, in an indirect way, to boast,
through the columns of her paper,
)f her valuable advantages, but it
Will never do for her to compare them
with western colleges sparkling with
youth and enthusiasm.
We are inclined to believe that the
earnest student" of the west will
lpOn mature deliberatiOn conclude to
AIRY with us, and perhaps receive
more than compensation for his
travelling expenses. T. AS.