New-York tribune., 1874-12-01
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE INTERCOLLEGIATE CONTEST.

IHE IN NlEhOOLLEGIAlE CON
HIGHER CULTURE IN oRAroRY AND COMPOSITION
To BE ENCOURAGED-rHE MEETING OF WESTERN
AND EASTERN COLLEGE STUDENTS BENEFICIAL To
BoTH-rTs SUPERIORITY TO A BOATING CONTEST.
TO tie EdttOr or The TrtbEne.
SIR: The intercollegiate contest, which
takes place this city January 1878. to have
attracted only httle attention Indeed doubt II there
persons outside OF certain circle who aware
that such is take place To the this
contest seems matter OF great Importance not only
from its influence but for It's effect colleges
and on education At present there is nothing which
tends bring colleges in contact 1t is that
once year, men selected from few COLLEGES after
Winter OF drilling aud exercise, and Spring Of active
preparation, meet IN a physical contest With due
Difference the college crews doubt If the men who
meet thus fair college representatives. That they
expOnents OF college strength and MUSCLE admit.
but that they real college representatives cannot
acknowledge. true college man evnces the effects Of
college discipline ana OF a college course This the
boating crews, think. unable to do. With all TOs-
sble exceptions doubt If a third of the boating men
can eujoy the full advantages OF their The
for this deacency manesty the loss Of time
necessarily devoted exercise and the general disin
clnatiOn for steady study which all know must
attend enthusiastic effort in thai direction.
The contest which is 20 take place Jan is one OF
brains The scholars and orators of
best colleges will meet and be judged by noted for
the influence strife should not be underesti-
mated II the matter is allowed to remain little
known IL 40 present. II will degenerate into mere
college strife best. In fact. doubt II the
present cOntesi would prove a success under cir
cumstances. What needed is the hearty support OF
the press few articles in the leading Journals would
assure the success OF the present movement and per-
Retuate It. Ihe value OF the contest Is readily seen
The number Of colleges In our different States is very
great; OF ali these Institutions only few are widely
known Colleges Ike Princeton, Harvard, and Yale.
with great rcpu lauon, are. But 1t is in behalf Of
the other colleges would speak They have many de-
partments when they wish improved; They nave
every thing to Eun III such contest But what tney
gain Is the more renowned institutions. The
Western colleges nave peculiar features and particular
ADVANTAGES, "hch would De OF tue greatest dement, 10
know They would, Il Is true, take certain something
them what present they lack. Eastern college
would be surprised aud perhaps ashamed 10 notice the
1ege There certain vg0r and ahead spirit which
rs characteristic OF Western mems institutions,
to gain IN tins Western men, the latter can
profit from the former III other respects None, think
can tuurOughness with which an Eastern
college studied. Eastern men may be some-
what less praeuc, nut at least they more refned
and polished Eastern men's oratory Is superior. and
aheir literary composition more cultivated.
Tine feel on colleges 10 general cannot be overlooked
ut would ESTABLISH higher standard OF literary excel
EThtcb donnT not 1youd be generous would stimulate
khe whole college fraternity. more general interest
hn college affairs would be seem II the contest should
Hrove success ora.ory aud composition would long
Hemain the ouly ground Of strife the classics aud sci
lences would gradually steal In Ihe benenC TO the stu
ldeDt is clear. t. ue OF the competitors would be
mo doubtful e0mplnenL Ii would be no slight spur
Ito study The Sinking of duties would De
lrare, and hesitate 10 say IT, college morals would De
Improved. Tus opinion may appear little wlld.
think, however, tna 1t is not with college IN winch
the large majority were in earnest, where study ana
work the rule ldeness the exception IL may De au
unworthy ncteucut 10 say TO young man " Here; see
you will not study 90 benefit yourself You are cAeatng
yourself and not our friends by avoiding work NOW
as stimulus, you are gwen this contest 40 De com
peut0r VIII b. great nOnOi' IL wOuIq De souICc Vi
qualification 10 yourself and friends But II you Wan'
thls honor you VIII nave TO worH dIs may c DC an un
Neo Tork Nov. H. 1874 IL. A.