The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-16
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.



10 tho Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal
In his letters to the Journal touching the re-
cent controversy between President Eliot, OF
Harvard, and President McCosh, of Princeton,
W. Sewall seems. strangely enough, to have al
most overlooked the points in dispute. he ven
lures to criticise certain sentences and ilustra-
lions of Dr. McCosh, which he regards as inapt
Et may be that DR.. McCosh has been incautious
Enough to use weak and inapt illustrations; but,
n SO, w. Sewall has been about the first to make
that discovery.
The proposition supported by President Eliot
was this: I'm q university the student must
choose his studies and govern himself" The
negative was maintained by President McCosh,
and his argument is now published in full by
Charles Scrlbners sons, in pamphlet OF twenty
three pages, entitled, 1.-The New Departure in
College Education That it is able argu-
nent goes without saying; and coming, as it
,sces, from one of the foremost thinkers and edu
GATORS in America, it deserves to be studied not
only by teachers but by all parents who con-
template giving to their sons college educa-
lion.
It is a mistake to say that Dr.. McCosh is OPP
posed to elective studies, or to students pursu-
ing special course. No such thing. In Prince
ton some studies are required. but some, too,
are elective. This is specially true of the junior
and senior classes. Dr. McCosh has said: II
res:ard the proper distribution of the studies,
required and elective, as about the
most important point to be settled
IN our colleges at the present time He main
tains, however, III opposition to President Eliot,
that some studies should be required. And
whatever some students may think or wish in
regard to this it is quite likely that those who
purpose to send their boys to college WILL for
the most part, agree with DIR. McCosh. In
maintaining the proposition that some studies
should be required, DR.. McCosh found a forcible
illustration in Harvard University itself If his
illustration be inapt, 1t seems strange that Pres.
ident Eliot did not notice it, and that w. Sewau
has not picked il to pieces. Against the sys-
tenn of instruction, as it now exists at Harvard,
DR.. McCosh has brought an Indictment that
will be a most astonishing revelation to those
Who throughout this land, have been accus-
toned to look at Harvard University as afford
ing the very highest type of American culture
Here is the indictments: From the close of
freshman year on, it is perfectly practicable for
9student to pass through Harvard and receive
the degree of bachelor of arts, without taking
any course in Latin, Greek mathematics, chem
fstry, physics, astronomy, geology, logic,
psychology, ethics political economy German,
or even English If as President Eliot insists. a
knowledge of our mother-tongue is the true basis
of culture, what is to be said of thisg) This is
the charge made by DIR. McCosh against the
plan of education now in vogue in Harvard. His
words seem TO have been well weighed. LII the
charge be false, it ought to be refuted at once;
and, furthermore, DR.. McCosh ought to be
made to retract his words and apologize. But
If the charge be true, as is probable, then 1T
would seem as if some studies ought to be re-
CURED in our best colleges and universities A
thoughtful parent who wants his son to have a
sound and solid education, will decide that
question very quickly.
So, toe. in the matter of government. Presi-
dent Eliot says the student must govern him
self. DR.. McCosh says no; he must be subject
to tutors and governors; he must obey the laws
Of the college, and the fact that college has
laws is inconsistent with the principles laid
Even in Harvard we are told that the practice
is not in harmony with the principle laid down
by President Eliot. Discipline is exercised IN
Harvard so SAYS w. Sewall Discipline ought not
to be exercised in Harvard or in any other uni
versity but, instead the student must govern
himself, so says President Eliot. Against this
proposition Dr. McCosh uttered most vigorous
protest President Eliot's plan is to make the
oversight and government of students impossible
President McCosh, on the other hand, would
make their oversight and government impera-
tive. Hence the question Of Dr. McCosh, which
w. Sewah thinks inapt and imaginary" be-
comes q question Of the deepess interest to par
cnts who are about to choose college in which
to educate their Will they choose q col
lege where their boys will be allowed to do as
they please, or a college where they will be care
fully guarded and governed, and when the in
fuences thrown around them will be sweet and
wholesomeg To use the words of Dr. McCosh,
HAre students to be allured from their homes,
hundreds and thousands of miles away, from
California Oregon and Florida, to eastern
colleges, and then do rs they please, to spend
their evenings according to their inclinatons, to
keep no Sabbath, and all the while get no ad-
vice, no warning from the college authorities,
stc2 To ask this question is to it 1t safe
10 assume thar, in this controversy, the con-
Seience of American educators, of thoughtful
parents and of the Christian church is with DR..
McCosh. K.
Accommodation Christianity Again.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis journal:
Notwithstanding DR.. Marine may be in error
the two abovenamed sects, still his remarks
&fford food for very useful reflections Nothing
is more common than to hear our pulpit orators
gravely assert that there is no other religion
with record worth mentioning for morals, civ
hzation, literature and progress, except the
Christian, and that as between Protestant and
Catholics the Catholics are behind the age, and
those countries under Catholic rule are priest
ridden and sunk in poverty and ignorance.
Indeed, the writer once heard a Baptist
preacher gTavely tell his people that they
we're indebted to Christianity for telegraphs
railroads and all other useful inventions worth
naming. 1t is not allowable for those in the
pews to controvert at the time what the preacher
asserts in his sermon and SO these nensensical
assertions for the most part go tInchallenged.
We know too little about Mohammedan OF
-Suddist countries to speak very positively about
them, but they all seem to have reached that
very high stage of civilization where freedom Of
religious opinion is tolerated. Our mission
aries come and go at will, and have their say in
Ill these benighted countries. We are indebted
20 the Mohammedans for algebra, for our numer-
Zeal system, and for vast deal of exquisite
architecture and literature Many of these
nathan rivi1izafiapc OF fba