The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-06-22

Some hundreds or thousands OF young
men, with hope In their hearts and artis-
tically engrossed diplomas In their hands,
are this month giving themselves some
trouble and their female relatives and at
tachments much delight. They are getting
graduated from the various colleges and
universities, fresh water and salt water.
which our wise and pious ancestors or con-
temporaries have provided for tho indoctri-
nation OF Ingenious youth. With demonstra-
tions OF Joy and grief are they weancd
from their respective and highly respectable
Benign Mothers Their pleasant novitiate
Of learning or loaflng is over; tho holiday
Is past, and, with encouragement from
kindly voices, these lusty young Bachelors
stand, in the glowing imagery OF the class
orator. upon the threshold OF life" Or, in
the still more glowing language OF that still
more gifted being, the class poet, they
Now into the world mus, go
And stem its raging tide"
These young fellows get plenty OF bac-
calaurcate discourse In tho college, chapcls,
and our esteemed contemporaries give them
plenty more. The sermonizings OF the lat
ter are rather lugubrious, considering the
fresh and hearty subject. They tell those
gay young bards who have Just Clipped tho
academic shell that they will never fly very
high or sing very sweetly.
Possibly our esteemed contemporaries are
right, but 1t seems to be rather ungracious
to croak at these youngsters They arc not
SO badly off after all. They have been very
negligent in their pursuit of academic dis
tinction If their muscles arc not in good
nctnr and xrh.,t "a inv unl ,la IN ia
health and strength! Most of these A. BIS
have got these, the conditions precedent OF
any successful or even prolonged labor In
any branch OF life. Their manners have
been refined and softencd, If Col NEWCOMERS
favorte adagc be true; and finally though
they don't know much--few do at their ago
or at any age---yet, IL they have taken due
advantage Of their training, they know how
to go to work to learn.
The common opinion that tho college ficdg-
ling is full OF great concrit of himself ia "a
survival. The new generation il rather out
of concct with itself. It has no hope of set
ting the Hudson on fire; it looks rather dis
danfully upon itself, and wonders what IL
the use Of 1t, and who is going to pay for It's
bread, butter, and tobacco. There Is I'M
doubleday more or less OF affectation about
this way OF thinking. The confident feeling
and big talk of tho former college men. such
as our esteemed contemporaries tuke over
their knees ut this season. were more natural
But most of the young fcllows-at least from
the older and larger colleges whom this
year provides with degree are, we imagine
subducd in everything except, possibly their
clothes. In the matter Of bread winning,
they SEQ that the Philistines arc ahead OF
them. and so they are inclined to be dolcful.
| Still, we think they will get along. Tho
| great, salient genius and the persistent
forcc which win great names OF great for
| tunes are indeed not likely to be theirs. In
| n country like the United States college train
ing ia n luxury to be enjoyed only by few
and regarded by the many as loss Of time
| or rs unattainable on account OF the expense.
But there Is no reason why these college
graduates shouldn't succeed IA we'll rs men
! Of tho same abilities who have had an In
ferior education, and they ought to succeed
better Unfortunately, tho great trouble
! with too many college men IL that they
haven't Ms good Ill education as the boys who
are sweeping ont stores while the former
are at their books. They get q little learn
Ing, hut not enough education. The success
| of many rcceI. college mon In business
shows, however. that university training,
properly applied. is no handicap.
In the learned professions the college man
ought TO have tho start NJ his competitors
who IRE not college bred; and II they get
the better Of him. 1t Is because they have
more energy and ability, Perhaps energy ID
the quality the college men are most likely
tn lack; but tiiry have plenty OF piuck as q
rul", nLi We take pleasure In assuring ever
the youngest Of tho young graduates TINT HI
Is undoubtedly able to make living II he will
tako tho trouble. Let him distrnst the un
Aatterlng tale OF our esteemed c0ntempora
rios, grid up his loins, and sail In. lie % Ger