The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-26
PRINcEToN,s NEW HEAD.
DR.. Patton Tells the New York Alumni What
He Hnnes N Do IA nIcG,nsh,s Successor.

DIR. Patton Tells the New York Alumni What
He Hopes 20 Do rs McCosh's Successor.
believe that the American university must
be conducted along the lines of historical con-
tinuity. and with reference to the special ex-
ieencies of people. Applause There
some good things IN Paris, in Edin burgh, in
Berlin but the typical American university will
not be q simple imitation OF any of these Bet
ter common country church toan clay model
OF Cologne cathedral Better a thousand times
possess q roomy American college than feeble
German university. Applause.
Further. shall shrink from saying that
We must keep Princeton Christian college,
Applause. / am Presby terian, but after all
there is church broader IN her catnoleity
that the one to which belong, and no church
than has done more IN the cause of higher educa-
ton. lApplause. But Princeton is big TO
be sectarian. We are going to administer this
college along the lines OF our common Chris
tianity; but we do mean to keep the confidence
of the religious public if we can. We mean that
when the Episcopalian comes to rs, and is under
the supervision of his rector Sunday, he
shall not have philosophy taught him on Mon
day that undermines his faith in God. We
mean that he shall see the universe opened, and
deal with its facts and problems of life under
theistical conceptions. Applause. This is
something more than having daily PRAYERS in
chapel, though shall have that, too. The
manAnement of Princeton College is . great
trust If / may say without being misunder-
stood, and / hope it is unnecessary for me to
say that you will find me likewise q believer in
very progressive policy. lApplausel We
need students. Well. trust to
the alumni for that Lauehter.l We need to
address ourselves to the conditions of life
that are sure to come. We may well get rid
now at any other time of the idea that a uni
vsrsity means simply a place for special re-
search, aggregation of colleges, or co-ordi-
nation of faculties, series of professional
schools
We shall have to deal mainly with under
graduates. We don't mean make artists or
attorneys; but we do mean to widen the charac-
ter of undergraduate study. to encourage special
investigation, and TO add department after de-
partment just as fast as we can do it. APP
plau5e. | believe that college president
ought to know an interest coupon from railway
ticket much lsughterl, and that he ought to be
able to understand a balance-sheet well as
grade In examination paper.
shall take a very considerable interest in the
finances of Princeton College, and I believe
what is more, that the money is going to come.
[Applause.l I am pretty sure that there are
friends enough who will to it that Princeton
shall come behind Yale in no gift University
cheer.
I have opinion TO give upon the question
to what relation the alumni shall sustain to the
college affairs, but am pretty clear In one con-
nection-that IT, that we must not treat the
alumni as lot of customers, who have bought
learning at our shop. [Applause.] The soiid-
arisy of university life must be conserved and
perpetuated beyond the years of graduation.
and il is very natural that the alumni must feel
that they should have something to do. because
it is the Law of that when an organism
has function it tends to atrophy.
I recognize. moreover. what some people do
not understand-that there are great many
being either very hard students or very great
scholars. / am not prepared to say that IL Is
better to have gone and loafed than to never
have gone at all Iaughterl, but l believe with
Sir Joshua Reynolds that there is around every
seminary of learning atmosphere of floating
knowledge where every one i'm bbe some
thing peculiar his original conceptions.
Applause. To change the subject rather ab~
ruptly confess that if the evils that alleged
exist in regard to intercollegiate contests can
be checked or abated. can well believe that out
of these brawny contests some of our very best
elements Of manhood may emerge Applause.
/ think must do better work with our best
men than we have done that il to say without
raising the minimum of requirements for any,
we must raise the maximum of possibility for
some. That is TO say think-though express
myself with great modesty here and do not COM
NIT myself or anybody else-I think it not I'M
tween elective and required studies, there may
come tina when, for the sake OF securing the
best results. we shall have to recognize the dis
tinction between forced and honorary work.
We elose-hauled. and the University head
lands are just off the port bow If the wind tacks
will have to beat up, but if it holds. then we
will ease the sheet and sail free, but we will get
there in either case Laughter and applause.
I enter upon the work-or when do. shall
of Princeton College in DIR. MCosh's spirit. lap
plause. shall probably have my own notions
and they may be right wrong. I may turn
out TO be very poor architect, but / give You
to understand that am not willing to be in
stalled simply a care-taker [ look for
progress and growth. Applause. But one
thing will say, shall take the
crown from DR.. McCosh's head with my consent
loud applause.l