New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-08
THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AT ELMIRA.

4 HEARTY WELCOME FROM THE CITZENS-PREsT-
DENT ELIOT OK A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY -
PRESIDENT M'CosH ATTACKS THE AGRICULTURAL
coILEGEs-rHE GATHERING LARGE AND ENTHC-
sIAsTIC.
lFRou AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBrSE.l
ELMIRA, n. Y, Aug. 5.-The sessions of the
Educational Association. thus far, have been in
respect fine The people OF Emira had given
a very cordial invitation hold the meeting here and
they seem to have left nothing undone to show that this
invitation was not intended as a merely formal COM
pllment The arrangements for tho entertainment OF
guests are as satisfactory could be desired and
Mayor Caldwell seems TO consider himself specially
charged with the duty OF seeing that no want If left un
provided for Tho morning OF the first day has usually
been given over TO the complimentary speech-making
of hosts and guests But President Northrop early gave
a gentle hint to all concerned that hard work more
desirable than fine talk and the speeches have been
cOrdingly brief and hearty. Mayor Caldwell to-day
very gracefully expressed his desire the official rep
resentatve of the city, TO make the stay of the members
here as agreeable possible, and his sense of the
benefits that might 10 the educational interests
of the city the presence and proceedings OF so
large a body OF men and women engaged In the
work OF instruction The reply of President NOrthrop
was notably brief where the temptation to make good
exhibition was so strong He simply thanked the people
and officials for the unusual pains they had taken 10
anticipate the wants of their guests and then proceeded
usual standing committees he introduced for the con-
sderaon Of the Association the question Of the proper
disposition of the Chinese and japanese Indemnity
Funds-a subject which 1t is very likely people In
general have taken the trouble examine with any
great care but respecting which the exercises OF
healthy conscience not out Of place. The unan
OF the gentlemen who spoke, and. evidently
of the entire Association, in favor OF restoring the
funds respective governments, except enough
tanned to actual expenses or losses.
THE QUESTION OF NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.
The most noteworthy event OF the day the paper
by President Eliot OF Harvard National University,
of which the following is a brief abstract
After detailing considerable length the history OF
the action OF the Association this subc: since 1862 he
proceeded to examine the bills which brought
before in 1872 and TO discuss the policy of
the Government upon this matter. Under the first head
1t was shown that although the Association had from
time TO time appointed committees to consider the sub
ect yet IL had committed itself TO any definite
policy and the bills introduced into Congress for the
| establishment OF such a university had been almost
solely the work Of individuals and without authoritative
support Passing TO consider the bills introduced for
the creation of university, they found to be crude
| in conception. cumbrous in the provision OF the
| machinery Of administration, and impractcable
| OF execution. But If these essential defects
could be remedied. IL is part OF the duty OF Gov
eminent TO maintain magnificent university THE
general notion that benecent government should pro-
vide and control elaborate organization for teaching
ust as It maintains army, navy, postofce, Is
OF European origin, being legitimate cOroary to the
theory Of government by Divine right" But the argu
ments in support OF this view prove great deal too
much For they have the least tendency TO persuade
that Government should direct any part Iof secular
education with how much greater force do they apply
TO conduct by Government Of the religious education
OF the people There is broad reason why Govern
ment should not establish aud maintain q University.
II the people Of the United States have any special
tiny and peculiar function in the world IL is to try 10
work out under extraordinarily favorable circumstances
the problem Of free institutions for heterogeneous
rch multitudn population, spread vast terri
tory We indeed breed scholars, artists, poets
historians novests engineers physicians lursts, theo
logians and orators but first Of all want 10 breed
race OF independent. sefreiant freemen, capable OF
| helping, guiding, and governing themselves. Now the
habit Of being helped by Government, 1t be 70
things good In themselyes-tO churches, universities,
and Railroads.&c. most lnsidlous ana lrresistDle
enemy OF republcansm, for the essence VI republican
| ism Is self-reliance.
IL will be remembered that This subject
fore the Association at odd times for several past
| but with the talk mostly side Prof. j. W. Hoyt
OF Wisconsin, who 10 be Of those genial en-
thusiasts whom every likes listen aud who IA
well known withal as man OF brains and OF cOnNlc-
tons mas until last Jear, had the field practically TO
himself Al that time, when his report IN favor OF tne
establishment OF national university was before lhe
Association, President Eliot took exceptions 10 sonle
statements contained In IT, and he was bppolnteu
| man of "a committee 10 consider the suulect hhotheI
year His paper to-day states tho result FOR various
| unVOidable meeting OF lhe nh9
held durng the year, and the report now presented
"a much work OF man as the previous ones
been, though on the opposite SIDE iIoI 10Y was -,
present 10 participate the DISCUSSION, being now ~
Europe; but enough were present. FeptesonnF '''i""