New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-06
U4RV4RVS ANNIVERSARY.

The joyful celebration begun yesterday by
the Alumni of Harvard College of two hundred
and fifty years of substantial prosperity and
of steady improvemen is an occasion well
worthy of general sympathy. The college has
known checkered fortunes. like everything
else which is so old. But it has been, on the
whole, wisely and generously managed. 1t
has been the favorite child of a rich and in
telhgent community. And its affhrs have
been so administered and its studies 80
din ected that it has called students from places
far distant from its halls, while it has for two
centuries and half sent its graduates to all
parts Of the world.
Ii is the custom to speak of the Puritans who
founded this college as narrow. But narrow
or not, they had certain knack for laying
down principles which, in their application,
and in the legitimate evolution from them,
have answered the purposes of the better hall
of the world. Harvard College is a noble
illustration of their success this way. Her
charter Is so broad that the bodest reformer of
to-day has no reason to regret a syllable upon
the parchment. 1t would seem as if the men
who drew it had already learned the alphabet
of American progress-that they knew that
"this is great country" and that they meant
that its first institution of learning should have
basis broad enough for any enlargement of
the nation they had founded-however mag
nifcent that enlargement might be.
For two hundred years the leading men of
New England have regarded this college as
something for which they had a certain
responsibility. In the hierarchles of New
England distinctions there is subtle and fine
reverence paid to a man who has an active
share in its immediate government. I'VE are
seven," as Dr. Wild happily sung of the Board
of Fellows, their president and their treasurer.
To this mystic seven" great responsibilities
are intrusted by New-E England, we may now
say by America, for the graduates of Harvard
College are now to be found in every State.
The gentlemen chosen to a position so honor
able prove themselves iD every regard worthy
of the trust. When we say, as an illustration,
that it was only last month that Mr.. Alexander
Agassiz was chosen to fill vacancy in this
Board we show in one word the cause of the
distinguished success which belongs to the
college. 1t is that che has intrusted bel
fortunes, for two hundred years, to the bes
men to be found in the region whore her worn
| is, and that she accepts no interiors, and tina
such men gladly take the charge.
fOr many years pasu thls DodIu 1hu 50 Tux
college have been presided over by son OF the
college who has shown remarkable executive
| ability in this trust. Even those most hostile
to his views will acknowledge their admiration
of the fearlessness with which President Eliot
has pursued his purpose to withdraw all the
methods of education. from any ENHANCEMENT
with ancient forms, And for the loyalty with
which he has always highly determined that the
resources of Harvard shall supply the imme-
| date demands of an eager age. 1t is. as W.
believe, not only the graduates of Harvard who
congratulate each other on her prosperity to-
day. All friends of good education rejoice il
her legitimate successes, and wish well for hel
| in the centuries which open before her.