The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-07-03

| American students. And we reward
with British gold from the Golden club
the best Oralions or prize essays on be-
half of the British system. The quar-
teHy Reriew, London, says: 'All the
professors of universities in America
save one, Pennsylvania, teach free
trade: but the people are projections
lists, in spite of their doctrinaires.'
Our English friends note with pain that
the people will not follow the profess
sors on this great vital interest upon
which the wealth and power OF Eng
land depend, but persistently regard
their own national Interests as the leg
itimate objects of their patriotic re-
CARDS. As an illustration of the diver
gence of the college from the practical
life and interest OF the people you may
recall the contrast of the governor Of II
New England Slate congratnlaling his
people upon the expansion of their
manufactures and coordinate increase
OF agricultural wealth, attrihuting them
both to the beneiicent Influences of the
American system; over against this
stands the arraignmcut of the Ameri-
can system in Iavor of the British by a
distinguished president of one OF our
great universities. lie attributed our
dull times and every evil to our protec-
tive system and arrayed some apparent
| ly telling facts IN proof. A slight mis-
take was pointed out to him, that the
facts of value were Mexican, not Amer
lean at all; and retuted the point he
tried to prove. Such is the contrast of
the two public teachers, the governor
of a State and the president of uni
Verstv. This exposes the college to
the disapprOhation or contempt of prac-
teal men. They send their sons to the
scientific schools or to short non-col-
legiate course for medicine or law. All
this Injuries the college. 1t sewers it
from the heart of the community. The
millionaircs OF foreign commerce sup
port and patroniZe this British system.
They are largely Eugisnmen, and, if
not, yet by this craft they get their
wealth. A mechanic who has risen bv
his industry, enterprise and capacity to
great wealth and influence said to me Il
few weeks since: Il send my son to
college, and in the classroom he hears
his father, as protcctionist, set down
for all idiot, a robber, lobbyist and
thief. Can respect an institution that
allows such things" This severance
OF the college from practical life to i'm
practical theory is working evil to itself,
to the State, to the church and all pro
tessions. 1t has already displaced the
college from the esteem, the honor, the
confidence it once enjoyed. That this
evil will ultimately correct itself there
can be no doubt. American colleges
must be American. Trustees of insti-
tutions must see that doctrines subver-
sive of the public good, if taught at all,
shall be taught and paid for by those
who are unfortunate enough to believe
in them. The college must have nni-
son and harmony with the sober, legit-
innate interests and purposes of the
people. To assume a lofty teaching of
abstract theories that, reduced to prac-
tice, would bring disaster to great ma
tional interests; and still to say that
science is science and truth is truth and
consequences have no place for consid-
Grafton is sublime nonsense. Such men
hold position of entire irresponsible
ty. They live i'll their studies and lee
tnre-rooms. They are not affected by
the struggles and conflicts of this
earnest, practical life which men in
general have to live. So far as their in
fluence goes, they turn the thinking of
young men in wrong direction they
cover with British fog the real field of
our national life, do almost irreparable
injury by encouraging foreign hopes
and plans. The Golden CLUB, which
has at its command more wealth, talent
and influence than any organization of
its kind ever formed, and whose de-
clared and sole purpose is, giving up
the great nations OF Europe, to subdue
the United States to the British system,
takes courage from all its co-adjutors in
our colleges and universities. 1t feels
secure that with all this learned COOP
Grafton from within our own ranks it
must and will win the day. 1t will
keep our political literature stuffed
with its false reasoning and manufacture
ed facts, and it regards itself capable OF
deceiving the very elect. Practical
men, seeing our colleges involved in
this unholy scheme, turn from them in
disgust
DR.. IIamlin next considered the rem
edies for the alienation of the working
classes from the college. First, the
college must become American in its
teaching. Industrial teaching should
be given place in the course Of study,
and plan for such teaching was sug-
gested. The college, in order to the
greatest usefulness, must have the
sympathy and support of the commun-
lty. In closing he urged at length the
necessity OF closer union between the
college and the people and between the
college and learned professions.
Addressing the graduating class, he
said: BE loyal to your a lima Mater.
Make her interests always dear to you.
Sustain her by your influence with
men. Contribute annually to her wants
according to your ability. She, in turn,
will always rejoice in your success. AS
you leave her gates she bestows upon
You her benedctiOn and PRAYERS for
your right course and prosperous pas
sage across the sea of life TO the other
shore. As also. with less of youth,
but not with less of courage, 90 forth
with you to scenes untried, we will to-
gether rejoice that we leave this honor
ed and noble institution, consecrated to |