Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-24
.yIaster of ArtS.o

In reading the published proceedings OF
recent college commencements, one can
not but notice with what profusion
"Honorary Degrees" are lavished upon
the profanum 0ulgus of whom Horace,
speaking in the spirit of all true lovers OF
learning and literature, could so proudly
and go properly say "Odi ct arceo." We
are not of the sort who would shun or lg.
more scholarly attainments or meritorlous
learning because the possessor was not
college graduate; but we must protest
against what is, Gf we may judge from
recent events,) the present tendency TO
prostitution and consequent vitiation OF
formal literary honors. We are aware
that a college can not be prosperous with
out money and friends, and we know too
that 90 long as men are selfish, college,
like an individual can win friendship and
favors only By friendship and f.vors, and
therefore it may be pardoned if it occas-
ionally extend its honors to those who
merit them, and whose friendship and aid
will promote the cause of learning.
As recognition of some distinguished
service rendered the country, of some
achievement in literature of some master
piece in art, or of some discovery in sci
ence, it may be proper and even COM
mendable to confer upon a man or woman
such marks Of respect and appreciation as
an institution of learning has within its
gift : but to confer such distinctions upon
those who deserve them in no manner eth
er fer intellectual requirements or personal
qualities is to "cast pearl before swine"
without metaphor. AS acknowledgement
of substantial aid in the way of endow-
ments or influential friendship, an
"Honor" may be bestowed, but caution
should be used lest the rewards designed
only for meritorious scholarship be sold
to the sons of shoddy, and the children OF
} learning be left to starve. We do not
l mean to be radical on this subject, but
would it not be time TO demonstrate il
we should sec an old and respectable col
lege. college who claims as her sons
such men as Silas Wright and Solomon
Foot, turning cold shoulder upon her
own children and squandering her favor'
upon those who possess neither sufficient
8 learning TO understand the nature of the
/ honor conferred, nor sufficient socia
8 financial or political influence to advance
? the interests of the giver. Puerile indeed
q would be the thought that such an in
e stitution would be benefited by the politi
8 cal influence of a man of little influence
= in the country of his residence. Singula
r it would be if financial advantage resulted
j from comforting honors upon upon on
o who was never known to contribute from
J. his meagre earnings even "widow'
t mite" for charitable or patriotic purposes
l. Would not he be voted a lunatic VIII
= should say the reputation of such vener
: able seat of learning could be beneftte'
Y by comforting honors upon such men
!. Would not all sensible men cry "Shsme
& if the high places in the temple of learning
were turned into stalls for oxen, and tn
!. laurels of scholarship taken to deck tn
/. heads of asses?
Let those who have the interests of col
b leges in their hands, see to it that thos
+. who have served a seven years apprentice
Y ship to laarning do not find themselve
: favored no more than a throng of illiterat
boors AIUNNUs