New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
LARGE AND SMALL COLLEGES.
DIR. McCOsH TAvORS BOTH KINDS.
THE EX-PREsIDENT OF PRINCETON OFFERS A
SUGGESTION TO BENEVOLENT AND
WI 1rTTry pFopTE


SUGGESTION TO BENEVOLENT AND
WEALTHY PEOPLE
Princeton, Dec. 2O.-Dr. McCosh when asked to-day
for his opinion on the subject of large and small col
leges, said:
"We need both large and small colleges Though
connected with considerably large college. have no
jealousy Of smaller colleges They have served an I'M
portant purpose. They have brought collegiate educa
ilon near 10 parents aud their They have drawn
many promising boys to seek the higher education. who
without them would never have been In the walls Of
a college In most cases the education is cheaper,
taken for the morals OF the young men and
llgous instruction Il impaired The Instruction given
has commonly been solid, though not varied al
vanced 1t has fitted many for high positions In
the country for example the President-ecc of tho
United states. On the other hand. need higher col
leces The smaller colleges cannot give instruction
IN all branches OF learning nor carry on students to
the highest knowledge. We need larger colleges in
every state of the Union to enable young men to
keep up with the times. Unless have such in
situtions the United States will fall beneath European
countries, such England, scotland, Ireland, Ger
many, France and Italy, and young Will have
to 90 TO these countries they are now doing in
crowds to obtain the higher criidtlon they are in
search Of This foreign residence may have some
advantages, but II has greater disadvantages II sera
rates young from their families and from their
country at the critical period Of lives and exposes
them many temptations and tends rather TO lessen
their love for their country. Let us then have num-
Der OF larger colleges like oxford, Berlin and llin
burgh, where every branch of literature, science and
philosophy IS taught, and let young be al
lowed take main part of their education at home
with its morality and IT'S religion.
"a man with money may thus do good by giving
It either 10 a small college TO endow II or to strengthen
IT, or give It to large college TO multiply teachers
and the subjects taught, and make It in every way
IN whit NJ ri of
leges he gives his money he should that the In
suton Is impartng solid scholarship, and securing
that the students be conscientiously cared for In
telectually morally and rellgiously. without this
the gifts bestowed may turn out 10 be curse instead
Of blessing.
"When the money is given to smaller colleges tho
donor should that the institution Is not placed In
district where there already enough colleges When
this is the case the colleges have 10 enter into
Injurious competition with each other, and the stand
ard OF learning and character is lowered. This J
know has taken place In many regions Care also
must he taken that the funds be not wasted and
that The Institution IS sure to be permanent In the
larger colleges pains must he taken TO secure that
students are made to take the most solid and useful
branches, and be kept from choosing the easier and
more superficial departments, and thus be tempted 10
lead fast and idle lives, when the education they arc
receiving may do them evil instead of good.
"Thcsc considerations should be weighed by benevo-
lent people possessed OF wealth. Those who wish 10
promote the higher learning OF the Nation Of IN
divduas should certainly send their gifts 10 the
higher colleges. But If they wish rather TO favor the
district in which ihcr wealth has been earned, DO
not why they should not endow or aid smaller
institutlon.care being taken that high education
be impaired.
=" would, however, suggest and press more eX
ccllent way than the multiplication Of small and Ill
equipped colleges capable OF giving learned degrees
think that our wealthy and benevolent ladies or
gentlemen might secure that in every town Of any
Importance there should be high class seminary
impartng cultivated education to those young men
and women who have finished their course I'm the
State schools. Those who wish II should be pre-
pared TO go 10 college freshmel perhaps.
Juniors, and I'm this way such schools would he The
principal feedc:s OF our colleges. But their main end
should be 10 body Of enlightened and
young and in every com
munlty TO scatter happy Influence all around them