Smyrna times., 1897-04-21
NO NEED FOR SYMPATHY AND CON.
D0LENCE.
To the EDITOR ofthe SMYRNA Times


Dcdr Sir:-Last weeks S,rvpv
ZINES contained bombastic borono,,,,
against the popular system of IN
versity Extension teaching in which
the author, Mr.. Fletcher F Coonor
a member of the New York Wd,.1l
stan, sympathlZes and condoles wifi
MS smyrna friends for having sub
scrlbed to course of University ~.
tension lectures, which he decries as
"A tarce-a ridiculous pretence ot
suburbs - 20 -
The citizens of Smyrna are too well
enlightened to allow a mere criticism
Dased upon Inadequate knowledoe
even though 1t may be handed down
rom from city brother, to in any wise de-
tract from their faith IN an educational
movement, that for half a century has
met with the approval of educators. on
Doth SIDES OF the Atlantic, and that has
provided higher education for thOus-
anus OF persons, who were unable to
attend the universities where such in
structlon IS impaired. Has Mr.. CoOper
ever attended University Extension
Lecture? lie says, with seemingly
consummate satisfaction, 81 escaped
them while L was in Smyrna" If the
privilege has never been afforded the
gentleman, he Is not capable of iudg-
ing OF the real merits of the work: if
would be as foolish as for one who is
not Mason, and hence knows alb
SoIuteiy nothing of the real life and
Dehehts OF the fraternity, to crv out
aSalnss that organization, that. from
Ilhe lmmemorlal, has been supported
by good and illustl'iOus men. Every
human organization has some vulner-
able spot, where 1t may be attacked: as
man Is imperfect so are his works: If
is not a difficult thing to criticise. but
of co"tt0"s 0t drdWiItg too idrqe a CON
ctfS'o" from too fer indic0tiOnS. Be
cause some books are of an injurious
nature, would Mr.. Cooper condemn
the whole literary system? AS Prof.
Elson, man approved by the Uni
Verslty OF pennsylvania, for his liter
ary culture and knowledge of History.
happens TO differ upon a single point
from Mr.. Cooper, the latter not only
uares 10 place his judgement up against
Ihat OF learned men by speaking of
iroI: ElsOn $ lectures, as being fash
Toned and delivered by one with dis
lotted historical perspective in his
41lnd' III put also condemns the whole
University Extension movement
think alike? NJ
Prof. Elson, in a remark. made ef+o,
his lecture, upon Washington and His
Cabinet" stated: GAS NV nerso,,oi
opinion, | consider Lincoln. Jockeon
and Washington the three @raotosi
Presidents of the United States and in
the order named" What man dona
not have right to a personal opinion |
and also to assert it? While ever,
person i'll Prof. Elson's audience 6;f |
Tered from him in their iud0emen+
upon TINS matter, yet they all had re-
Spect for the opinion of one who Lo.
made the study of American History .
speciality, although they would NOT acl
;ept IL as their own. Prof Elson oova
no reasons to support his statement &c
ne sald, he had come to SMYRNA. NOT
20 prove personal convictions Int 70
each historical facts. Where can vo,
ind historian who does not ENTERTAIN
lkes and dlslikes for the Characters of
yhom he treats? As Mr.. Cooper and
'rof. ElsOn differ in their oniniono &c
o who were the three greatest nresi1
Tents, 1t would be extremity interestino
o have them discuss this issue. ond E
ueh consummation of affairs CON ba
'btalned, 1t is to be hoped that not
merely the good traits of the favor;tes
II the bad ones of the unpopuIor cbor'
cters shall be presented, so that we
nay be free to judge their arouments
clear and impartial light Tt iss
cry difficult matter to Judge character !
blllty, or superiority, and tberefore !
len uliier very essentially in their 1
oubt but that Prof Elson's opinion is
ased upon conviction, and that the
earned gentleman is fully capable of
efendlng his statement, without any y
ear OF bringing utter ruin to the Uni {
erslty Extension movement of which =
9 is a worthy exponent Mr.. Cooner 4
our sympathy and coincidence are NOT n
eeded. L
Those who have devoted their time .
nd influence towards ESTABLISHING tba
myrna Centre tried no experiment.
ut acted upon personal knowIedge os
le work, gained from other Cen7rae
hiding them instructive and r;ob =;
cd for thought, they became ;nton
'teu ~ IN tae movement, and worked to !,
I'VE the Smyrna Centre establisboS &
~ ~ ale ae now gratlfled to know that our t,
-. cleizens are appreciating the work s.
= = Nvrk' Mr. Cooper, that you call an n
-nsilsh ldea, fad, or institution "
Is indeed and English fad, in 1SoO y
= - nuilloer OF persons in England y
1ne, receiving instruction from | a
& OF England's greatest
/ ili.Nersl5ies, numbered 40, 422-iectures
iifereo at SS7 different Centres.