New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-24
MORALS AND LETTERS AT YALE.

What Milton calls 'the quiet and still air OF
{ delightful studies" Mt Yale has been more or
less disturbed for several weeks past by n some
what animated and perhaps at times acrid
discussion of two interesting topics bearing
upon the usefulness Of that ancient seat Of
learning II began with a lively and rather
sensational attack upon the University authori-
ties for not exercising greater watchfulness
over the morals of the young men under their
tuition. who, it was said. were exposed to the
demoralizing influences Of a large number Of
saloons and drinking places surrounding the
University This attack proceeded from a
weekly newspaper processing to be the expo
nent aud organ Of the temperance cause. II
was followed up for several weeks with the
avowed purpose Of compelling the University
authorities TO take a positive and uncomprO-
missing stand upon the questions Of total alb
stinence and prohibition. The language 1t used
was hot and some of the statistics Of vice with
which it fortified its arguments were calcu-
lated TO evoke the low. in-drawn whistle Of in
credulity.
The older graduates of Yale who had actual
knowledge not only Of Ill the conditions and
the entire environment. but Of the far moro i'm
portant fact that Of all the thousands who from
such environment and surroundings have passed
out into the active life Of the country The pro
portion that has been demoralized or even faint
cd by them has been nlnitesimal did not Cecm
the demonstration worthy Of notice They re-
called Mrs. Partington's version of Shall .>p'lrc.
Sweet are the uses Of advertisements" and
only smiled at the effort of n sensational ncws-
paper to advertise itself. Some Of the YOUNGER
graduates. with less experience but IN a SPIRIT
of loyalty worthy Of all praise, took up Tie
cudges for Alma Mater. and for time the
discussion went on at a lively rate. The Orly
effect Of it so far as we can see has been 10
illuminate the public mind upon the posshl
ties Of incorporate discussion Of the question
of temperance. lntompcrance in discussion at
the bar Of public opinion viii never cure III
temperance in drinking at the bar Of the saloon
Now that the furry is over. we commend 10
the consideration Of the general public rs We'll
as 10 the college world, 10 which Il was more
particularly addressed. the calm and compre-
hcnsivc summing M of the whole matter from
the point OF view of the graduate and scholar
which Professor Bernadoite Perrin. of Yale.
presented little while ago AT a meeting Of the
Brooklyn Yale Alumni and which Is printed
in full elsewhere in this paper
The other topic whose discussion seems 10
have disturbed "the quiet and still mir OF de-
lightful studies" at Yale Is the department Of
English. II was broaAled by the Hon. Daniel
II Chamberlain a few weeks ngo ut meeting
of the Yale Alumni Of Western Massachusetts
Nj Chamberlain was formerly Governor Of
South Carolina, was afterward for many yenrs
a practising lawyer in this city, and Is low On
gagged in agricultural pursuits in the Interior Of
Massachusetts. The thing most hateful to him
Is the canker OF long peace. He ms views
on most questions. They usually differ from
the Views Of most ~ his contemporaries on the
same questions. Without any direct and precise
Information on the subject. we should yer ture
10 say TINT during the period in which he has
been pursuing agriculture ne must have devel-
oped views as to such agricultural questions rs
whether the string bean Is justified in coming