New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-25
COLLEGES IN COLORADO.
THE STATE ALREADY AMPLY SUPPLIED. SO
THAT NEW ONES WOULD ONLY CRIPPLE

THAT NEW ONES WOULD ONLY CRIPPLE
THE CAUSE OF EDUCATION.
To the Editor CT The Tribune.
Sir: Statements have been made Of late In vari
papers In regard to an effort 10 secure large
amount OF money IN the East for the purpose OF
floating an institution known as "the Westminster
University" OF this city This effort to those
best acquainted with the educational movement In
Colorado 50 unwise II not positively injurious that
1t IS certainly due to Eastern givers that they
should understand the exact status Of the case.
1t is true that miles north Of the city there
Is building which was erected on large tract OF
land. I'm which number Of business men became
Interested. 1t Is also true that money was largely
secured to erect this building by the sale Of land in
the hope that the placing of a school there would
result in the enhancement OF the price OF land. The
Presbyterian Church was TO some extent interested
In the project. but the wiser Judgment OF many Of
tho best people In the Church was decidedly against
the scheme for a number Of reasons. No school
was ever organized. nor has there been either
student teacher connected with the institu-
ton. which Is university In name only These
are. think. subsi antially the facts IN the case.
This new movement Is uncalled for. from the
standpoint OF higher Christian education. for the
following There are in the State all the
institutions OF this kind that there ought TO be for
many years TO come. The Denver University. in
this city. which is largely under the direction OF
the Methodists. has at It's head a man OF the most
catholic spirit, OF scholarship and ability; he
Is making university that is rendering important
and farreaching service to the whole region. Chan
cellor Mcdowell Is recognized by every one as n
man among ten thousand. and his institution
which was founded early In the history OF the
State. Is worthy OF encouragement and generous
support. While II Is connected with tho Methodist
denomination It opens its doors in every possible
way 10 tho young people OF every denomination and
the influences 1t exerts are wholesome and Chris
tian.
At Colorado Springs. seventy-hvc miles south of
Denver. is Colorado College. This is the Oldest in
stituton for higher education In the State and was
founded by the generous gifts OF the Colorado
Springs Company. In the early days OF its strug-
Cling history the Congregational people had more
10 do with Il than any one else; but always the
PresbyterIans and members Of other denomna-
lions have had direct and important part in its
management Some nine or ten years ago Or. Slo-
cum OF Baltimore. was called TO its presidency.
Cnder his direction 1t has taken rank among the
leading Christian institutions OF the country. The
influences Of the college are conspicuously and
vigorously Christian: the religious ideal dominates
all else 1t Is mnistering TO all classes and condi-
lions. and TO all churches a,ite. Generous gifts OF
money have come TO H. and, with its large faculty
and constantly increasing student body It Is rem
dering a service OF great value TO the State-a SER
vice which would be still larger II the generous
friends OF higher Christian education would help 1t
IN addition to these two nstiiutions mere IS IN
which is rapidly taking a place beside the better
State institutions OF the West And there Is also
the Missionary Institute. In the southwestern part
OF the State. which is distincti'ey under fTesoy-
terrain auspices. .,..... III,
simply be attempt 10 Grippe those ALREADY exist,
Ing which have borne the brunt OF the pattie' ana
for which generous sacrifices OF strength ana
money have been made. IL VIII serve 10 cIeate
friction and unpleasant relations where tnere Is
q strong tendency toward unity ana mutual
hclpfulress There Is neither need nor room I9r
this movement. Whoever undertakes 10 estaD-
l'sh Il will strike bow at the pest lie OF tne
State That the future will show this TO be true Is
the opinion Of those who best know tne cohulllons
here. and who not blinded either Dy a narrow
needs strong vigorous, Christian institutions as
before. and no philanthropy VIII De more lar-
reaching In tho development OF the NATION IMAM tne
support OF colleges which SHAH he strong ana vigor-
Gus Tho multiplication OF struggling institutions
has been the curse OF the West from the point OF
view of Christian education purely sectarian insti-
tu;ions not what Is needed INSTITUTIONS uhe
colorado College have outgrown all such iimita'
tons and with abiding loyalty 10 the ideals or our
Christian faith standing for the best lie or the
West To put another institution or this KIND into
which are here and at best accomplish nothing
that Offset the harm that VIII De cone. Lei
those who may be thinking OF putting their money
in here como and make a careful examination for
Themselves and talk with the people who really
know the situation, and they VIII never give uo-
lar for such movement rs Is represented by the
so-caled Westminster Yer w., ana ,b b,,'e hi
countrv those who are seeking TO build up what Is
best TO save our land from the Ills that threaten II.
and to bring deep and broad culture rounded on
sbould guard their gifts with careful investigation.
helping where help is really needed and nowhere
else. =. ,..- a.