New-York tribune., 1873-05-17
THE SAGE COLLEGE.

| OTHERS.
rrRom AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT oF THE rRIBUNEl
| ITHACA. N. Y, May ia benignant sun, a
wind somewhat austere two three thousand gowns
! men and townsmen, a fair sprinklng Of dons, many
groups OF ladies radantly secure OF recognition OF the
educational rights of the SEX and It may be few rep
resentatives OF the Phistine elemental these marked
the festivities this afternoon the occasion OF laying
the cornerstone Of the Sage College. This struc-
ure standing rods south OF the other colleges here
| after 70 form a distinct department OF Cornell
Upiversty-to be occupied by female students
exclusively, and by lecture devoted 10 their
USE Both the building which costs t5O0OO and its par
al endowment TO the amount OF 100000 the Gift OF
Mr. Henry W. Sage or Brooklyn who has added to
sums $4,000 to the chapel which smultane
ously rising under the shadow OF larger edce.
entire superstTucture OF the college complete II s
noteworthy architecturay being the first reproduc
ton in this country Of the oxford and Cambridge quad
ranguar college, although its style Italian rather
than an English Gothic. or three towers the
western one. the chief entrance, TO the
hight Of $50 feet The principal material In
its construction is brick. generously relieved by
the richness OF cut and carved stone. The
sculptured capitals vases columns and brackets are
executed from original designs by Prof Charles Bah
cock the head Of the Architectural School OF the Univer
sity who also the architect OF the building. Some Of
the capitals especially exquisite specimens
OF fruit flower, and foliage ornamentaton such as even
Ruskin might view with a kindly eve The college and
chapel like the other structures OF the University look
upon magnificent prospect, far the fair valley
Of Ithaca on the one hand, and far down the long
stretch Of Cayuga Lake on the other.
Seated upon the platform to-day the Presidents
OF three Universities many clergynen various
nominations, the Trustees and Faculty OF Cornell Uni
versity and than Of its numerous benefac-
The proceedings on all our American fesal oc
casions consisted Of series OF speeches What was
wanting in pOmp was amply made up In rhetoric The
addresses were unusually good, holding large crowd
motoness. despite the and wind for than four
hours and elictng from shrewd and distinguished
English observer the remark that not half dozen
bers of the British Parliament could words with
such marvellous dexterty and facility The flow OF
tory was only briefly interrupted by the actual lay
ing Of the corner-stone-a ceremony performed with
great grace by Mrs. Henry w. Sage, Iwho deposited in
the receptacle besides the customory coins and docu
ments addressed by Ezra Cornell to the coming
man and woman. The speakers who were happily In
troduced by President White, Henry Sage, Ezra
Cornell Chancellor Winchell OF Syracuse University.
Moses Colt Tyler, managing editor OF The Christian
Union, Goldwin Smith. Prof. Homer 3. Sprague OF
Brooklyn, and President Angel OF the University OF
Michigan President White and Mr.. Cornell, enumer-
ated the stages Of action by which the Cor
nell University had length been led 70 adopt the prn
cipe Of Joint education OF the The former stated
that on the very day Of the Universty BIRTH Mr. Sage
had preferred the liberal gift which he had be-
slowed, on condition that both and women should
be admitted the privileges OF the institution. Mr.
Sage in an interesting resume, pictured the dsadvan-
tages OF womans social legal and educational position
In the past efforts which have been OF late made
in and out of legislative halls, 70 lessen those disad
vantages and 10 throw open TO the female world
avenues of employment. BE trusted that Heavens
light had now fairly dawned and that all the barriers
which hedged the freedom OF to be speedily
removed-hat the educator in the first instance OF
each succeeding generation OF the human race, she
would herself be offered in future the highest opp0r-
tunities Of acquiring the highest knowledge. To that
purpose the college which he had rejoiced 10 establish
would be consecrated
President Angel Chancellor Wnchell and Prof Tyler
related the experiences OF Michigan University, which
had been the first Of great institutions Of learning TO
attempt the solution OF this problem Of co-educaton
President Angel whose words were carefully weighed,
stated that the experiment still an experiment
that il mad as yet been tried Arbor during only
three years. and under exceptionally favorable crcum
stances Thus far the union OF the two sexes in the
same lecture halls and class had worked satisac
torilv The women retained all their womanlness un-
impaired and ranked with the men In progress and pro-
acency one strong practical argument for co-educa-
ton was that few states could adord 10 provide two
great universities for either proper univer-
sty is one OF the costly OF human institutions,
and the best facilities for advanced education are
70 be aOrded 70 woman il must be largely done through
mixed colleges. Prof. Sprague endeavored TO de-
duoe from the fact that boys and girls are educated TO-
geher in the primary and secondary schools the pro-
prety OF uniting young men and young women IN the
same university Prof. GOdwin Smith, after aIlud-
ING IN his uncbangeabe regard for Cornell University
and declaring that he intention OF Withdrawing
from his position a lecturer IN lts has
expresses his entire accord with all that had been
said in regard 70 woman right to an education OF the
best and broadest character. He thought' however
Il ado haWr rtNht 10 had An
long impeded the free action OF woman, especial care
hould be taken that the landmarks erected by nature
be not also overthrown. He paid, in the course OF his
remarks warm tribute 20 the generosity ana unselnsh
ness OF Mr. Cornell BE said that, a. foreigner ana
guest in this country he felt that It was not MS province
10 crticise public action but he could not aVou de
clarne that after some years Of continual intercourse
with Mr. Cornell he believed In his purity OF purpose as
! firmly as he believed in his own existence.
The recent violent legislative attack upon Ezra cor
nell had In fact been the chief topic Of conversation
both on the village streets and the university campus
as the crowd patiently waited for the opening sdureSs
All the speakers. except Mr Cornell himself auued 10
IT, each one chsracterizing II as brutal and unJustn-
able outrage. Mr. Corneus townsmen and his assoc-
ates in the university corporation speak Of him as
man distinguished by strong traits Of character very
ing sometimes upon the border Of eccentrlclty; DuI
every one far have been able 70 learn places the
utmost trust bis honesty of Intention ana cbsaetsr
OF his single hearted devotion TO the interests Vi 'o
University which bears his there would seem To
he no doubt His gifts 70 IT, which amount 20 the
prncey of threequarters Of million Of dollars are
constantly augmented. Almost monthly the purchase
OF new piece Of apparatus or some new COLLECTION
Of books the which happens TO be beyond the re-
sources OF the University chest testnes TO his une1-
haustsd generosity It 10 confidently believed here thHt
the pending investgntisn-an inyestigAtion Wheh Tue
State fairly TO the most munneent OF ia sons
Will rrYenl nnthinR morn than Legitimate and labori-