Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-23

THE NEW PRESIDENT.
Why the Selection of DIR. Caldwell
Will Prove an Excellent One for

why the Selection of DIR. Caldwell
Will Prove an Excellent One for
Delaware College.
Special Correspondence of Gazette and Journal
NEWARK, July 2O.-Your correspondent
has ascertained public opinion in the
town TO be decidedly favorable to the
election of the Rev. DR.. Caldwell to the
presidency of Delaware college. While
many may regret the denominational in
fiuence that will inevitably follow the adj
ministration of Methodist divine, yet it
was deemed the only expedient and eff
Gent course to eradicate the opposite
evil, i. e., the Presbyterian atmosphere
that has surrounded the college since its
organization. The college, be it under
stood, has not in the slightest degree been
sectarian in the nature of its operations, but
there has necessarily been a negative
power unfavorable to Methodism, mas
much rs all the former presidents of the
college, with one exception, have been
Presbyterians, who have actively followed
their Calvinistic convictions and fire.
quently have been preachers of the faith.
The result has been practical neglect of
the college by the Methodist element and
its poor success has been greatly attrib-
utable to this cause. This state of affairs
has been recognized and remedied by the
trustees in the selection of one of the
foremost and most learned Methodist
divines in the state. This admirable coup
d. etOt on the part of the board will un-
auestionably remove the inherent
prejudice against the college, and
restore to it the confidence of the entire
conference until il will eventually super,
seed Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, in
the education of the Methodist youth of
the Peninsula. This same college has
heretofore attracted large number of
students from the State through the &C.
tivity of its president, who attends most
meetings of conference and induces
parents to send their sons there by setting
forth the manifold advantages of such
course. 1t can therefore be seen that the
trustees action was not retaliation, as
many suppose, upon the Presbyterian
friends of the institution, but an impartial
and iudicious movement actunted solely by
their love and interest in the college. The
two prominent candidates, DIR. Caldwell
and the Rev. Otis A. Glazebrook of the
University of Virginia, an Episcopal
clergyman, were carefully considered, and
the trustees by close vote decided upon
the former. TO show that their selection
was not ascribable in the least to religious
preference, il should he stated that five.
sixths of them voted contrary to their
individual doctrines in the election of DIR.
Caldwell The trustees also wish it I'M
derstood that the latter was in no sense
an applicant for the honorary position,
in fact, considerable persuasion was
necessary to induce him TO lend his assent
to the use of his name in connection with
the Office. Altogether it is remarkable
illustration of the Office seeking the man.
Dr.. Caldwell's Methodisticnl proclivi-
ties were in measure secondary consid-
erations to the trustees, for they recog-
nized his superior qualifications in his
great popularity down the State. Through
this medium they hope TO interest mnny
that were formerly unfriendly to the in
stitution. This diversion will not make
the college sectarian at all, but will serve
to counterfeit any other religious element
in the eyes of the people.
Catalogues for the collegiate years 'S5,
'86 will soon be ready for distribution.
There is at present fiattering indication
of large freshmen class Notwithstanding
the exclusion of young ladies. DIR. CaId-
well is assured of n most hearty reception
in our town and the cooperation of our
citizens in the work of building up and
elevating the college and its curriculum.