New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-29

baritv OF tho organizations known as college Secret
Societies. called forth from the pen Of Dr. Burt o.
wilder, professor IN that institution letter published
in TIE TRIBUNE OF Oct. %. in which he gives at some
length his views Of the Tendencies Of such societies and
of their evil effects upon the morality aud scholarship
OF students in general and Is very natural OF tho
students OF Cornell particular. For his fair and I'm
partial account OF the death Of young Legget he de-
serves the thanks OF every graduate and friend OF the
University Such an account emanating from man 80
well known throughout the country Is well calculated
TO remove the false impressions which must have been
created by previous highly colored reports But when
he goes on to attack the standpoint OF one whohas
always been bitterly opposed TO secret organizations OF
every kind. tho chaptered Greek letter societies
Of tho colleges, ] for ono take issue with
him, and am unwilling that the opportunity
should pass without attempt! at least ID
point out through tho columns OF THE TRIBUNE the
faseness of some OF his conclusions, and TO give what
in my opinion is more just aud correct view OF tho
work Of secret ORGANIZATIONS in all colleges. Dut
more especially in Cornell University. And although
the present may hardly the time for the discussion
OF this subject the since the late unfortunate
accident has undcnlaby given bias to the public mind'
yet az the Doctor challenges 1t and expresses desire
TO have both sides eucdaed feel at liberty to present
what consider the objections to his arguments ana the
reasons which have for differing with him.
To begin, them L may say that l am graduate OF
Cornell University and member OF secret society.
Entering Cornell, did at the opening OF its doors
having witnessed the Inauguration ceremonies While
the Institution yet In n sreat measure chaotlc
remembering well the time when there was no vestige
OF a society," literary, scientific secret, within its
pale having noted tho entering Of each secret society,"
IFS influence and the changes which wrought ought
at least TO DO able 20 speak the subject with some
degree Of fairness having from within and as par
ticpant what Prof. wilder from without as a
looker-on
BY the end OF the first year OF tho Uniyerstys exist
enee few secret societies had founded chapters
there; from that time on, every few months saw
new accession. Around a nucleus OF one or two mon
Others gathered and a new society soon in fun
notion As have said, these chapters rapidly Increased
In numbers. Probably institution was ever opened
into which 80 many societies trnusplanted in 50
short time. On that account the University gives an
excellent opportunity 70 judge Of their effect upon
student morals and discipline. Aud for my part writing
on the side which advocate, and in the belief which
hold could ask better showing for my cause, aud no
moro forcbe for the existence NJ secret soc
ees than Is given by the very institution In which the
Professor 50 much depreoates their existence.
But to descend TO particulars The Doctor makes GER
tain specific charges which at variance with my
assertions. He says, "WhaU I have seen ANA heard
during ayo years warrants me in Affirming that uine
tonths OF the mischief and immortality Of the earlier
years Of Cornell University. was directly due 20 tho
presence and influence of secret society who came
here from other institutions for the avOwcd purpose Of
ENGRAVING branches OF their parent trees upon our
young and otherwise perfectly healthy organization.
And further speaking not Professor, Dut a. clt
zen and member Of the University feel no hesitation in
adding that the larger part OF all the disturbances which
have in any way affected tho comfort OF students
faculty and Of citizens, have been either originated
or carried out, or BOTH by OF secret Orslnlza
lions"
In regard TO thll, may say, and am really TO make
good my assertion that during the existence OF the
University, and especially during tie last two or three
years. the most notorious disturbances which have
Cured the most IA breaches OF public order.
the dgaceful disturbances, OF whatever nature,
in which students have been concerned, have been
those with which the "secre society men OF the Uni
yersity have had little nothing to DO; fact, with
which they SUCH have bad no connection whatever.
Such occurrences have BEEN for the most part the
suit Of class feeling influence which society feeling
tends directly to break down. Any Cornell student
will subsantiato this assertion and the Professor HIM
SELF upon reflection cannot fail 10 acknowledge its
truthfuness The mere suggestion OF the influence OF
class feeling eau hardly fail to bring before
his mind the spectacle Of tho breaking up
Of certain Junior exhibition, which, IL is safe
to say, was the most "serious disturbance"
which has ever affected the comfor5 Of students IA
Guilty and citizens IN that institution and ascrbe It
TO any other cause would be absurd. Again, the last
clause OF his remark admits Of many interpretations No
one denies that the principal acts OF awlessnes among
students are planned By few men In secret, some
times regularly organized associations 1t Is true got
ten up for this especial purpose But TO charge upon
the regular societies that have nothing In
mon with these pseudordernites and do not recognize
their existence the consequences their acts, doing
a grave injustice.
The Professor spreads before the public great many
weelaborated arguments against these organizations,
founded deeprooted antpathy not to organizations
in general it would but TO the fact OF the secrecy,
which is their distinguishing characteristic. But in
some of his observations it to that he goes
trne too far For If as he says, "Mae thoughts and
feelings tend downward" IL the unavoidable influence
OF associations OK young men is 10 lower the and
corrupt the morals OF tine members then all Organiza
tons OF college students alike perncious; and the
element Of secrecy can certainly make the matter no
worse, but the contrary must be on
active influence for good in preventing the scandal
which would otherwise arise. L say IT, for 1 wish
It distinctly understood that consider the Doctors
opinion that head to be essentially He
himself conesses that he has never belonged to
impressions are perhaps very natural But 10 any
who has been member his intense dlstrust OF secrecy
seems almost unntelligblc. He distinctly aliuies to
this fact when he says 81 decline to be bullei into
silence by the fly0rlte argument that II YOU not
member you know nothing about Them Must we assist
at an auto da te in order 10 qualify for expressing an
opinion upon the horrors OF the InQuisitionp But
one will for moment pretend that there Is any argu
mentatiSe force IN the parallel which he suggests aud
other hand 1t must he evident to every society
man" that I'm spite OF what Prof Wilder says outsider
having personal knowledge OF these societies inca
pable OF Judging OF their influence.
Let assure the Doctor Of one thing before going
further. All that he says I'm letter about the intense
evils OF these organZaOns0f their being prominent
and essential feature OF life in the place Of torment
their deDasing and degrading effects upon the minds
their members; OF their tendency 10 generate want
OF confidence IN the family, and 20 lower the honor aud
corrupt the morals Of innocent youth who but them
would 20 through college unspOtted and without re-
proaeh-is to the mind OF who has been connected
with them and their interior workings, almost
laughable. We hardly suppress smile when we
hear those institutions for which all nave o sort OF
regard from the mere fact or membership even