New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-21
INTERCOLLEGIATE LITERARY CONTEST

COL HIGGINsoNs SPEECH AT HARTFoRD-GREAr
AND GOOD RESULTS observation-disclosures DRAWN
FROM THE HISTORY OF BOATING.
The following is the speech of Col. Thomas
W. Hgginson, which opened tho InterColleeiate Liter
airy Convention at Hartford Thursday and of which
the tele graph gave only brief outline
Mr. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN, FELLOW STUDENTS,
II may so call you was soinewbat startled on my
way mere TINS morning. TO see TWO statements made III
myself. One was that was 10 address Won, and tue
other That was the father OF the movement Now,
both the father OF this plan and the father Of ali the
delegates present aughrrl, modesy and truth compel
suggestions OF mine in regard 10 inter collegiate scho
arshp contests, IN which alluded to intercollegiate
asp, have given rise TO the idea of this Conyen-
ton. But the colleges taken up tins vague hint.
nave elaborated and discussed II, and have gotten Up
this convention. IL the plan shall prove grand
they VIII deserve the glory II Improves failure, am
TONED the matter.
/ will own that at first distrusted intercollegiate
literary contests separate sCheme; hut the more
have thought OF IT. the more do see In its fayor and
perfectly willing to he proseiyted, aud, In fact, am
already twO-thrds converted. wish to present two
thoug hs 10 you In regard 10 tina pan-nrst that inter
collegiate literary contests arc In accordance with the
present tendencies OF the times In educational matters
second That they give good promise OF being very benz
hcli to our colleges.
The whole tendency OF the day is TO cooperation in
work by our colleges. When was recently at oxford
and Cambridge especially strck by this tendency.
There the barriers between the various colleges st
disappearing and the university not the separate col
eges ia the object OF thought, affection aud work. or
course owing To the situation Of our colleges such
change here possible, but cooperation aud mutual
Already matters very different from
what they in my college days. Then there
dead level OF similarity between the various colleges.
Each vas Ike every other In curriculum, discipline,
habts, buildngs dress, each like every other ana
set down Dndfod In one could not tell after MS
bandage WAS removed where he was.
Now, all this Is very rerent one college has
system Of study and discipline; another another;
recOns strict rules, or few and lax, dornitories
their absence, work the best | believe in college
feeling, esprit da corps well rememner that once
at Worcester, in the days Of the HarvardY Yale
regatta, / was on the regatta committee, and IN
the evening, after Harvard had the race,
was trying put bonfire built IN very danger.
position By some Harvard men, for 10 ~ always the
victors VINO are noisy aud dlsorderY; Yale very
quiet that night, as was Harvard next year The fell
lows disposed TO resent my Interference but said
Why this Is all night, boys; L am Harvard man"
AT te Freshman, nall ICY SIZE and IN that state
where men see double, grasped my arm and exclaimed
Are you a Harvard mani Come along then; I'll pro-
teet you" Laugnter.l And he ,dng awavering pro-
cessiOn We led them BACK 10 the Od Bay state House.
where got them safely locked ill., aud went back 10 my
duties Ever riuce, have had nigh opinion of college
esprit du coTpS lL3ugnteTl Bui, after all, when we
what may be the future OF our colleges aud OF
such associations as we are here to FORM mere college
feeling seems q narrow low bond, compared to that
think the history of the boating contests NAV be Of
us, furnishing parallel to tne probable future
on tbs movement. II was slow but steady growth OF
enthusiasm When was a boy, not q Doat was owned
In Harvard College. When was III college "a man in a
class two anead OF me owned the FIRST boat, and
summoned before the august Harvard Faculty 10 answer
for so hcipous an ofens- He asked what law he had
violated. The prosecutor cited: No student shall Do
allowed to keep any domestic animal without special
consent Of the Faculty" and ugged that a boat was
domestic animal wItIIn the meaning OF the law.
uaughterl From 81 humble and discouraging begin
ming boating grew, all know, to Ito present great
proportions when the main difficulty Il ~ body
OF water large enough for all the contestants. For
while G was considered that only Yale ana Haryar1
could compete with show OF success but year
two Western Massachusetts, settled all that forever
ust 80 may he with inter collegiate literary contests.
colleges than necessary 10 secure success, II
the principle ID true one and the action you
here before If tne plan ia success.
no leading college win stay out, none can
afford to- / earnestly wish 10 see an enthusiasm
ated In our Universities for Literary excellence. |
Crescent no one outside the college hears OF the leading
scholars, writer's and orators who VIII be the honor OF
all Not only are the men personally unknown-that
could easily endured they do not feel that they
are doing aught the honor and glory OF thor beloved
Alma Mater do her athletes l believe TINS Conven-
remedy; aud that despite the fears that have been
pressed the contrary, such contests az II proposes
vii correct rather than encourage faults OF style aud
lilac standard OF oraorcal ability Certainly the prizes
viii be offered not Tor faults out for excellence, ana
believe judges may DC obtained wno will rightly award
Another benefit that will result from intercollegiate
contests viii be that by them shall have sup
pied OF the Of the different styles OF instruction,
both in literary work und scholarship, whch are IN
vogue IN various colleges have been for several
wears on the Examining Board of OF our largest col
ieges, and in the papers examine the per-
sona reelection OF the instructor such paper could
only be written by pupil OF this roiessOri sdch pa
ner only nv pupil OF that Professor should greatly
IKE To sec the examination papers tnat several col
eges could produce in To the same set Ot ques-
lions Il would be splendid test OF various educa-
rional theories. literary work Some cOlieges az
Amherst make OratOry matter OF strict and continual
trainlug Oilers consider such training as useless,
aimee Oratory natural. Each thinks It's own way the
hest intercollegiate literary contests Will determine
which Is night.
Encouraged by your numbers al earnestness, have
more faith feasibility OF your plan than Whrn
came in here. And, II you Will allow me- VIII make
one or two suggestions 10 what seems to me 10 DC tho
uroper way % begin It's execution.
Begin mOdestly, tho regattas began. Az present
there IL a lack OF strong feeung n the community mt
large concerning this matter. This aud nOt hOsuty,
ls the cause that Harvard aud, presume other coz
leges are not represented here to-day There set
lied conviction 10 the pan but either Indifference or
a wayeriug, hestatng doubt very little will suiiCe
TO turn scale Of public opinion in one way or the
other Modest, sensible, harmonious action Will insure
An exaggerated inflated spirit with
announcements ike poster OF Barnums menagere or
hinder Not that would deprecate enthusiasm and
through any such enterprise. Culture without entnu-
sia m IL utterly useless II either extreme is to be fatal
should greatly prefer to be ehoked with rather
than TO be smothered with starch. But let your cnthu
sinsm be tempered with reason And, finally, there
must selfforgetfulness and readiness To lay aside
individual plans. Only remember the grand WORK you
are engaged H. and make everything subordinate 10 Ito
success.
GROHTH OF THE CITY LAST YEAR.