The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-14
4 sOcIlLrsrrc PROFESSOR.

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An incident has lately occurred at Berlin
which seems to pointto the suppression Of free
opinion in its stronghold, the University. and
which has naturnyprovoked vehement protest
from part Of the rrcss. We refer 10 the tx
pulson OF DR.. Dnhrlg. well known throughout
Germany rs the blinl philosopher and as one
Of those who by voic, and pen have done most
TO lend weight and currency to the doctrines OF
the new Socialist parry.
For many years lr. DNhring has followed
with success which could hardly fail 10 rouse
the jealousy Of his ronfreros the vocation of
pr'rot-doc1d. or unsa aired lecturer. at tho Bcr-
lin University. We have nothing In this coun-
try or England ut al analogous to the ins,itu-
tion of the prirdf-do,af. which. ne Virrhow has
pointed out in the prussan Legislature has
at all times been thc exponent Of intellectual
liberty in Germany. The holder Of such po-
siton is a species 4 literary free lance licensed
TO lecture in hall Of the university, but cntre-
Is untrammend as regards the matter and
method Of his teachings. In time the volunteer
may be- enrolled among the regular professors
hut meanwhile be is dependent for support
upon the fees arorung from his auditors. A. a
matter Of fact tie rooms Of these supernuine-
rares are often throngod while regular urofe--
sors may bc occurring to empty benches. This
u
ally marked at Berlin since DIR. Dnhring. whom
blindness had hot discouraged from unremit.
ting and fruitful study. began his lectures on
political economy and the history Of Ihilos-
ophy.
The great requirements and singular ability
Of this man are generally acknowledged. but II
il not hard to see why he was not appointed a
regular Professor His views Of social reform
are of the most advanced type. and no other
convert II equal earning and cloqucnec has
proclaimed them with such uncompromsing
holdnr--. He has repeatedly rendered public
homage u what he calls the incompatible
greatness 81 lean Paul Marat and declared
that the pseudo historians OF the European Pc
alton have ba-ely disilsured that remarkable
disciul" of Rousseau. Without King 10 cN-
tonuai" the eXeoss"s which attended is DOWN
fall he dill not hesitate g. pronounce the Paris
Commune ol 1871 the greatest achievement ~
the nineteenth century in the Interests of civili-
zation, and rs the dawn Of new era for the
political and social conscience. In short. ho is
one of those men who. when the Reign of Tor
ror Is talked OF. demand the precise figures. and
compare the tale II it, victims with the number
of those who persisted unnoticed under conserv-
niive regimes. Altogether il would seem that
Dr. pnhring was not the sort of lecturer 20 Dee
tolerated IN the capital Of military govern
mcnt, and within car-shot ~ Bismarck
The traditions 81 free speech. however. pro-
footed the prira'-docett. and it might have been.
difficult 20 Dust him. if he had not himself sup
piled preteM IN book published some
months ago. This work. which urged radical
change in the methods # education for women.
contained some -cathing structures ON the exist
Ing university system. The tendency of n bro
fcssional body to degenerate into sort Of Man
darinate. the medieval character Of the cur