The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-04
Opportunity Comes To-Day to Morn
ingside Heights.

Opportunity Comes To-Day to Morn
ingside Heights.
To-day, at their stated meeting, the trus-
tees of Columbia will receive and consider
the resignation Of Mr.. SETH Low as Presi-
dent Of the university. 1t is proper to
assume that the letter Of resignation goes
to the trustees in q form that leaves
them unhampered and unembarrassed.
Whatever hopes Mr.. Low may privately
entertain concerning the action Of the trus-
tees, whatever hints he may drop as to his
real desires, the resignation as written
must be unqualified in its terms, unless it
be Observation-Disclosures in its very essence,
a bogus request to be relieved, a mere cam.
paign trick, and therefore an insult to
superior authority. The trustees must re-
ceive the letter as II they believed in the
sincerity Of its author. The proposal to re-
sign the Presidency Of Columbia must be
taken at its face value by the gentlemen
who are charged with the interests of New
York's highest educational institution. and
who are the final guardians of the dignity
of the university.
What shall they do with the letter7
Mr.. Low submits his resignation at
a moment when Columbia is about to
make an experiment which cannot be
otherwise han of grave consequence to
1t. It has just move from the conn.,
paratively central situation, where it has
been during tho forty years Of its
largest growth and development, in or
der to establish itself at a site on Morn
ingside Heights, which. as yet, is distant
from the active centre of New York and not
easily accessible by rapid transit. This is.
however, in itself noble situation for a uni
~versity, and in due time the convenience
of access to it will be adequate. On this
site commodious buildings for the institu-
tion have been erected, and a plan has been
formed to supplement these with dormi-
tories for the students, seemingly necessary
at that distance from the active life of the
town. This will tend to change radically
the character Of the university. Column
bia has been always hitherto a pecu-
liarly city college, with no distinct college
community of its OWL.
These, however, are matters concerning
the shell of a university merely, and not
the kernel, which consists of the intel
lectual and moral influences abiding in the
material structure. To become a university
other than in name simply, fifty repre-
sentative of the Importance of the second
city Of the world and conforming with its
dignity and supremacy in American civili-
cation and enlightenment, Columbia needs
now, more than ever before in it's history. a
President whose W character and attain
ments shall bear some proper relation to
IL
and cosmopolitan American university.
That is to say, Columbia needs a Presi.
lent whose intrinsic fitness for the post
will command the respect of the learned
world, and draw to the institution the
best minds and the highest scholarly
and scientific abilities. A college is
not likely to rise above the intellectual
level of it's President, for an inferior or a
mediocre President does not attract. and
perhaps may not wish to attract, as his
subordlnates in the boards of instruction,
men far superior to himself. They may not
wish to serve under the limitations estab-
lished by his intellectual standard, or he
may not care to be measured beside them.
A great university in New York is prac-
tically impossible with a man at its head
| iuCapdoic VI compromising III lucas lTOn
which alone can come its vital force.
Nor can there he a future Of high useful
ness for an institution whereof the affairs
are administered by a President with di.
vided affections. scattering purposes, and
uncertain ambitions in life. There is a
form of egotism, and one of its most dan
gerous forms. which is quickly satiated
with the food afforded no matter how
freely. 1t constantly Graves nutriment of
a new sort. In the counting room the
heart yearns for scholastic distinction.
From the college chair the eyes look affec-
tionately toward the caucus and the polling
booth. No price is too high to pay for the
coveted qualification. A man may give a
million dollars, and yet be selfish to the
core. For the next bauble he may be will.
ing to sacrifice, not necessarily his own
self.esteem, for that may be invincible, but
such less important considerations as the
confidence of the community in the integ-
rity of his pledged word. No price, we
say. is too high to pay; and If there is a
show of hesitation, it lasts only until sell
fshness has reckoned both sides and COM
pleted its estimates.
Now, for weeks so many that they may
be counted in months. Mr.. SETH Low, the
| D.Aatl.k T~l-.Lt- TrI--- "