The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-08-05
Pr.sidsas Andrews. OF Brown Us,ver,..y.

Clipped
The resignation of President An
drews. of Brown University, because
he would not accede to the request
OF the trustees Of the university and
cease promulgating opinions favor
able To the free coinage OF silver vi |
probably be used by the friend AZ
the white metal a. an ILLUSTRATION 81
The intolerance OF gold bug"
Yet there are few advoc ates at the
gold standard who will approve the
'ciinn Of the trustees. The case is
entirely different from that of the
late Mr.. 81. John, Of New York, who
resigned the presidency OF bank
ut the instance of the directors be-
cause his financial views were rad
really opposed to those of the direct
ors. A bank is purely business con-
Germ, which deals in money as a
wool merchant deals in wool or au
iron manufacturer deals in iron. II
were to advocate Legislation which,
In the opinion of the stockholders in
these concerns, was of a character
to greatly reduce the value of their
wares, a request TO the heads Of
these firms to desist from promul-
eating their views or else to aband on
their connection with the business
would be- justiiisble. Wool firms
and iron firms and other business
concerns conduct their affairs with
view to making the largest legitim ate
margin Of profit, and whatever ope-
rates against their interest il
factor to be considered and dealt
with without regard to liberty of
speech or other ethical consider
alton.
The trustees of Brown University,
however, have made a grievous error
in placing an institution of learning
upon commercial basis and alleg-
ing that the promulagation of DR..
Andrews views was chiefly object
ionable because 1T prevented the
university from receiving certain
handsome endowments from friends
who would not part with their mon
ey as long as the president of the
university cbampioned the cause of
free silver. To ask President An
drews' resignation for such reasons
is to pnt the whole matter upon q
very low plane II the views of the
head Of the university were, in the
opinion OF the trustees, perniciou9
and calculated to add strength to q
financial heresy, it would have been
very much better to have presented
hn 10
better for the dignity OF the trustees
and for the cause of sound money.
DIR Andrews would, no doubt, have
resigned with equal promptness and
the trustees of the university would
occupy much loftier position than
that into which they have been fore
cd through their unwise course in a
matter of the greatest delicacy. To
put q great institution of learning
upon the basis of q mere money
making concern is to derogate from
the dignity of the higher education,
and while the trustees of Brown UNI
versity we've doubtless innocent of
any such purpose they have been
singularly unfortunate in the line of
action which they have pursued.
There are few things in this
wol Id that are more precious than
the acquisition of wealth, and one
OF these is principle A man may be
utterly wrong in his opinions and
the fallacies of his reasoning may be
apparent to all who can see beneath
the surface. But if he is honest and
disinterest if he seeks the truth from
his standpoint.pu for the truth
sake, then he is entitled to the re-
spect OF his fellow-men. Universities
are maintained for the purpose of
enabling man to reason COR him
self and to equip HIM for the con-
consideration of great public ques
tions. Ii institutions of learning
have endowments which render them
independent this IS but an added
reason why they should cultivate
freedom Of opinion and liberty of
speech on economic questions, as
well as questions of mortals and
ethics. For the bane has its antidote.
Probably there have been educated
at Brown University men who could
refute all of President Andrews
arguments for free silver. The
fountain of learning is broad and
deep. and the same principle which
led DIR. Andrews TO investigate the
silver question and to accept the err
roneous conclusions Of free-coinage
advocates doubtless led other stu
dents at Brown University to find
the truth in the gold standard. Mo-
man can give his hest service to the
cause of truth. however, who is
hampered by considerations of expe-
diency, for expediency is lot the road
to truth.
In his letter of resignation Dc.
Andrews says very aptly and con-
cisely that he cannot meet the wishes
OF the trustees without surrender
ing that reasonable liberty OF utter
ance which my predecessors, my fac
ulty, my colleagues and myself have
hitherto enjoyed, and in the absence
OF which the most ample endo wment
for an educational institution would
be worthless This states the issue
in nutshell, and it is to be regrett-
ed that the trustees of the university
have been placed in the attitude in |
which they now find themselves.
The advocates Of the gold standard
have no sympathy with President
Andrews views on financial cues.
tions and they believe his conclusions |
are based upon the grossest fallacies. |
But in one respect they are in full |
accord with him, and that is that 10 |
the absence of reasonable liberty
OF utterance. the most simple endow
ment for an educational institution
would have but little worth. The
same reasons which justified the re-
quests for President Andrews re-
signation could have been advanced |
by the trustees of Harvard for de-
handing the resignation of professors
In that institution who espouse, the
cause of tariff reform.
some Seaside Observations by Different |
PARTIES.