The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-25
THE RUTGERS COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.
Female Education and. It's Effect Upon

Society.
70 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
DEAR SiR-The attention OF so many readers Of
the HERALD has been called 10 the report of the
Commencement exercises Of Rutgers Female Col
lege, held at Stenway Hall last Thursday, that it
seems but justice that the hERALD's statement re-
ceive word OF explanation. The interests of
higher female education, the credit OF the only in
stitution in New York which has received from the
state college charter and justice to two or three
OF the graduates seem to demand this.
While so much injury is done to the interests OF
female education by those who are seeking to
push woman into mans sphere, the attention OF
thoughtful statesmen in Russia Germany, England
France, and of America. it ought to be added, is
called to the fact that real injustice has existed in
the provisions made for female education. For GEN.
turtles young women who were to occupy
elevated positions in European society have
been educated as highly as the young
men whose companions they were to be; but this
higher education has been received rom private
tutors. Intelligent men have always observed that
no families can be Kept up, no high social position
can be maintained without thorough mental cul-
ture is possessed by the wife and mother.
The demand now controlling European govern
ments for more and more OF popular representation
is calling thinking men to meet the fact recognized
in Napoleon's remark .'What France wants il
mothers.n The same cause which calls for ex-
tended common school education Is gaining Ior
higher education TOR the thousands who by their
stion Hence even during the past year In Russia,
France and England initatory steps for the organi-
cation OF female colleges have been taken.
In the State of New York two charters FOR col
leges proper authorized to confer college degrees,
have been granted within the last ten years. Tho
hrst OF these was Vassar, the second Rutgers. TO
snow that the design OF these colleges was not at
Az To alter w0mens sphere, but only the better 10
MAINTAIN her position and TO do credit to men
u, , ,ner sphere, the following fact Is sufficient
testimony. The charter OF Nassar College,
nrst GRANTED, gave the unrestricted privilege OF con-
n o.ille Vohepe degrees Into the charter OF
hu.eelS WE Incorporated this restriction, except
ploics,st.onai me people of New York need not
leai tnat any enprt TO make unworthy wives and
mothers - Oh Ioot Some the successful business
men OF New YORK are already thanking the college
| that 1t has given them Companions whose
culture is the best guarantee thar IN cir nvvn
position can be maintained with propriety
As TO the report now or the proceedings of tho
day 10 will take many years TO make female cnl.
leges realize all that colleges for Young men after
years of successive stages of progress have AT
tanned In all the public exercises OF such colleges
the saihe variety OF excellence and Of imperfec-
ton the same differences OF native talent and of
taste, will be displayed. During the infancy of such
progress 10 is not simply Rallantry and gene
roslty, hut justice, demands that criticisms
be discriminating and TO the point and genial
while lust. some few men, accustomed 10 the over
sight Of colleges for young men, have entered the
field of higher female education TO meet great pub
lie demand, aud nothing can turn them back from
their niss.o" They Only ask on behalf Of educated