New-York tribune., 1873-05-23
CnRNELL TNITERSITY.

The speech of President White of Cornell
University before the officers and students OF
that institution in defense Of the founder OF
the University against the charges lately made
in the Assembly contains an interesting his
tory of one of the most successful educational
enterprises in the country. The charges OF
Assemblyman McGuire have had wide cir
culation in the press of the country, and com
mon Justice demands that the accused shOuIu
have as wide a hearing, and that the facts III
his defense should be fairly presented. For
such presentation President White IS specially
qualified by his familiarity with the affairs OF
the institution from its first inception In
the mind of Mr.. Cornell to the present time,
and from his close intimacy with that
gentleman in carrying out the plan. knowing
as he does the entire history OF the UNI
yersity. the obstacles that have been met ana
surmountcd the perils that beset ITS growth,
and the sacrifices that have been made in It's
behalf, and having naturally profound and
almost reyerent affection for so muniiicent a
patron of learning and education as Mr.. Cor
nell has proven himself to be, it is not
strange (but perhaps pardonable) that Mr..
White should indulge in some warmth OF
manner in defense of his friend against what
he cOnceives to be an uncalled-for and ma
licious assault. 1t is to be remembered, how
ever, that Mr.. Mcclure may be equally SIN
cere in his belief that there has been wrong
done, and that Mr.. Cornell has protited by 1t.
1t is a sad commentary upon the tone OF
public sentiment and upon our existing stand
ards OF political and commercial morality that
charges of double dealing and sharp practice
against public men of hitherto high character
and unsullied reputation are listened to with
easy credence now, when few years ago no
whisper of suspicion would have been for
moment entertained.
But it should also be remembered that in
times like these, when there seems to be an
epidemic of investigations, and an atmosphere
OF dstrust surrounds nearly all our public
men, there is more need of Judicial GOODNESS
and deliberatiOn in considering charges that
are easily enough made against the purest and
best of men. In this matter, Mr.. McGuire
having laid before the people the case against
Mr.. Cornell, and President White having put
in what seems a sufficient and conclusive
answer, the public can afford to wait the re-
suit of the investigation which upon the de-
mand of both parties to the controversy the
Legislature has ordered. 1t would be a sad
blow to our confidence in the professions of
our fellow men and our faith in human nature
if the event should prove that such man as
Ezra Cornell had been guilty Of any act not
entirely honorable and unselfish in the whole
course Of the transactions in question. What
ever may be the grounds of Mr.. McGuires sus-
picions, and however sincere he may be in his
action, we cannot believe that Ezra Cornell
with his stainless character as a citizen, his
unimpeached public record, his large philan-
thropy and munifcent liberality, has done
anything in his dealings with the State and
the University that bears his name that will
not bear searching investigation and reflect
credit upon his motives.