New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-03
THE NEW COLIMBIA.

THE NEW COLC UBIA.
Another step toward the complete Identified
ton Of Columbia College with the new home
which ii is preparing on MOrningside Heights
was taken Yesterday, and the public interest
which the dedication ceremonies inspired Is an
suspicious Indication of the reciprocal relations
existing between this community and its chief
institution Of learning Those relations 'have
never lacked cordially since the day when. the
passions and perplexities Of the Revolutionary
era having disappeared Kings College was re-
Incorporated under the name which 1t has borne
for more than century. 1t may be acKnowl"
edged. however, without Improperly or danger
of a misunderstanding that Columbia has not
uniformly held so conspicuous and influential
il place in the life of New-York as was to be
desired. If it is true that the college might have
commanded wider influence over the city than
it has been felt to exercise. it is also true that
the city has not seemed fully TO appreciate It's
obligations to the college, nor comprehended the
value Of that distinction which was waiting TO
be at once appropriated and enhanced. 1t has
often been said that the citizens Of New-IorK
were not proud enough of Columbia. manifested
too slight concern for its growth in usefulness
and fame, contributed too little 10 its material
resources, and too commonly sent their sons
elsewhere to be educated But though this in
dctment is capable of being sustained at least
in part, the extraordinary expansion of the col
lcge during recent years chiefly under the infu
ence of forces exerted from within, and the
corresponding development of popular interest
in its operations and its welfare suggest the
thought that these conditions might have been
brought into existence At an earlier period in It's
history.
We have spoken of Columbia as college, but
we do not forget that 1t has taken the name Of
University Moreover, the most impressive and
gratifying fact in connection with the activities
and ceremonials which mark the beginning Of
the new era is the concurrent demonstration Of
its right to that designation. Columbia makes no
claim to an educational status which it has not
already indicated 1t is to-day university in
the true sense and its whole tendency is toward
symmetrical growth upon that broad founda
ton. The union Of all It's departments is now
organic and its expansive energy is centraliz
ing force. To fulfil the destiny which it de-
served something more than a spiritual uplft-
ing had become necessary. change of place
was essential. and the university has been wise
and fortunate in choosing a site where dcsir-
able degree Of seclusion may always be main
extent under its own control is assured. Doubt
less the fact that Columbia has hitherto had no
dormitory feature and no campus makes the
removal less Of wrench than under other cir
cumstances 1t would have been. The assoca
lions which surround classroom are not usual
ly such as TO inspire a tender sentiment and
form ties which 1t is hard to break. When Yale
had the chance quarter Of a century ago to
IL. al nv,1
which has been made tenable with difficulty
through successive acquisitions, for one pos
sessing great natural advantages. the senti
mental argument against Il removal was very
influential 1t is fortunate that the Columbia
authorities were not required TO encounter and
overcome strong 4 feeling OF affection FOR
the material equipment which will soon be left
behind. Considerations of immediate impor-
tancc. aside from calculations about the future,
were sufficient TO decide the question: and so far
as we know there has been not single ex-
preston of discomfort on the part Of students
or graduates to mar the general satisfaction.
On Mornlngside Heights Columbia will not
merely possess a habitation suitable in size and
surroundings to its requirements. 1t is also an
element in the case OF real and great value to
the university and to New-York that with the
change comes the opportunity to create noble
and beautiful architectural forms, from which
potent influences will continually emanate for
the instruction and delight Of succeeding gen.
cratlons. 1t Is a pleasure to know that those
who are directing the growth of Columbia justly
estimate this opportunity and the obligation it
imposes. and to believe that in this as in all
other respects the university will become more
and more worthy Of It's name as the years go by.