New-York tribune., 1896-05-03
NEwYoRK DAILY TRIBUNE SUNDAY ee-THIRTYFouR PAGES

eerty Is to show that Columbia College by origin
stand. for good citizenship, and from the unique
manner in which its endowment has been provided
should be perpetual inspiration for the highest de-
veoPment OF municipal spirit. as lofty as that
eye of Greece" and by sublime exhibition of civic
genius crowned its Acropois with the peerless
world still bows with admiring recognition To
educate the citizen to place before him the highest
performance of the obligations which rest upon him
as partaker in mind. body and estate of the in
the chief aim of the University, which from this
day will be the most conspicuous and powerful In
stituton in this great city.
The trustees Of the college have shown themselves
to be fully conscious at all times of the obligation
which rests upon them in the administration Of the
humble beginning in l754 with seven students and
nearly century to limit The instruction Of the
college to such branches as were necessary to edu-
cate Christian gentlemen the college under the
wise guidance of President Barnard and President
Low, has been developed into university which.
during the last year gave instruction TO 1873 stu
dents enlisted the services OF 26J teachers, and ex-
takes to provide instruction in all departments OF
human learning required for the highest develop
ment of modern life. The old academic training is
preserved for those who wish TO lay the founda-
tions of scholarly education fitting them for the
OF a literary career. Its schools OF science qualify
the engineers who are to become the captains OF
Of natural phenomena: its school of medicine. with
its affiliated hospitals in connection with which the
be held In grateful remembrance. provides the best
Instruction for alleviating the physical sufferngs
to prevent the spread of disease; its school Of law
graduates the men who are to protect, enlarge and
velop juriss who will have the knowledge eour-
age and honesty to maintain the law and administer
justice without fear and without faVor.
ON THE THRESHOLD OF A GREAT CAREER.
But, above all. and crownng all. is the school OF
political science, whose province it is to investigate
the principles of justice, the elementary condi-
tions and customs Of the social organization. and
the history and the results of their influence in the
development of civilization, and the progress of
man from state of barbar;sm to the Infinite re-
fnements and culture of modern life Herein CO.
lumbia College has realized the ideals of Jefferson
for the university to which ne gave ne ripe ex-
perience and the affeconate devotion OF his old age
Such is the university which the legislature OF New
York in 1854 foreshadowed when IT declared that
Columbia College was TO be the mother under whose
fostering the educational system OF the state
would be made worthy OF me great people VINO
had pledged every dollar of its property for the
it Is with the city which has given birth and wealth
TO this chief monument of its prosperity and glory.
a great career. Already it has outgrown the pro-
vision which decade ago was supposed 10 be
general conourrence Of it's trustees its faculty and
its alumni. and with the approval of the city and
| torc heights. surrounded by vision of beauty
which satisfies the ideals of the poet, the patriot and
OF the Intellectual life of the cty-the citadel Of
last defense against the pers OF ignorance of super
the nobes cathedral of our age by institutions OF
charity and learning, and especially by barnard
do their duty. the women of the future will be ad-
mitted to equal educational privileges with their
der the flag of freedom be an unassailable buwark
OF sound learning and the gateway to universal
If. then the university has duty to the city
WHICH IT striving to y naye to 6f Ssehaeps
in the providing it with the halls and buildings IN
which this beneficent work Is henceforth 10 be
carried on?
applied 1t should be. to defray the cost OF In
citizens of New-York whose wealth has been de-
rived from the same source and by virtue OF ne
same law of increment which has given to Columbia
College this endowment be emuioHs TO TO apply .a tner
cation on scale adequate 10 meet the ever-in-
gifts have already been made by the alumni. by
the Fayerweaher estate and by public-spirited ci-
Seth Low. its honored president. inspired by flial
piey and by public spirit has given ihe great sum
library, around which all the other departments OF
lam G. schermerhorn. the chairman Of its board Of
S ess EnE m by Of s oesy IN has ss Gs thy
example of appropriatng portion Of one OF the
large fortunes which have been created by the
physical science. whose Developments day by day
bllities OF discovery tending to the prevention and
of disease. the increase OF the general welfare
While these lines are being pennei another fami-
ly among whose members are distinsnished gradu.
| erecting the great building devoted TO chemical
science and art, which Will for all time
| of the descendants OF Frederick Christian Have
\ meyer has been derived
THE UNIVERSITY THE CENTRE OF SOCIAL.
PROGRESS
| The of the people have never demanded
equality of fortune and indeed. understand that
| It is impossible but they have always insisted
and will always insist upon equality OF opportunity
| With free schools and universal education with
| opportunities for the young OF exceptional ability
I'm the ranks Of the rich the poor secure the
benefits OF the highest instruction, the approaches
OF Communism need never be feared. Equality
OF opportunity insures the ultimate distribution OF
wealth upon just conditions and within reasonable
periods OF time II this were not so society would
be justified in demanding a reorganization upon
more equitable lines But this demand Will not
be made so long as provision exists for the general
diffusion Of knowledge and the acquisition OF that
and development of civil institutions.
PRESIDENT ELIOT INTRODUCED.
When Mr. Hewitt had finished, Charles W.
Eliot the president of Harvard University, was
introduced to the audience. President Eliot said:
Only six years ago. :he close Of the festivi-
ties which marked the happy Inauguration OF Pres
ident Low, / ventured to say that Coumbias SIS
universities ardently wished she might acquire.
in the common interests OF all learning and phlan-
thropy, much greater endowmeDts than she then
possessed, and particularly might get grounds and
buildings worthy of the principal seat OF learning
in this rich and splendid mart. The experience OF
N9'|NA,.,.
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