New-York tribune., 1900-07-01
MIDDLEBURY'S CENTENNIAL.
PRESENT. AND PAST CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE OLD VERMONT COLLEGE.

Middlebury College celebrates fits centennial this
week For a hundred years this old spring OF
learning has welled in the centre OF Vermont ana
many New-Englanders, the ambitious sons OF.
vigorous race, have drunk Of il. To recall IN
few words the Importance of its career from the
beginning II IS enough 10 cite the facts that in
1913 II graduated more men than Harvard and
that one Of its early presidents refused a call TO
the presidency of Yale. These facts mark Middle
hlrvs relative position in the past. Conditions IN
the last half century have reduced her importance
in the world Of higher education. But the spring
has never failed. good, staple article or educa-
ton has been steadily provided by the old coAese
II it has not grown 20 the proportions or some
of IT'S contemporaries It has none the less filled
useful place
Then IN her modest operations Middlebury has
given an education cheap. That IS. the sons or
New-England farmers. ambitious Of better things
have got a college education at Middlebury that
otherwise they must have gone without. And
they have made good use Of it. The high per-
cenjage of distinguished alumni proves that. II
stands to reason that those who prize it highest
and sacrifice most for 1t will make the most OF
such an education. 1t is hard to realize for tho
bulk of people in great university centres that
matter OF S9 cash couId deGlde 1e Wios if tbot
Of COLLEGE course Yet that anAouht Is al 5 Ilat
scores Of Neunonters have ever paid TO Middle
expenses OF maintenance in that frugal country
have been small. ana the scholarships OF 500 or
so a year have almost gone around.
In these later years the college has not lost the
spirit and character which it developed in is salad
cal influences and traditions, but che.ly through
the successors the old line Of presidents There
have been some breaks IN the line Of legitimacy,
but for the most part the presidents have been
inheritors Of the blood-that Is, taken from the
earne sell tho college Itself. and perhaps her
children. They have fulfilled the coleSe president
ideal Of gentleman and scholar They have kept
the old spirit and the old body. Not that they
have not been progressive. As a fact they have
kept up with the times IA ideas. II not with all
ths modern demonstrating equipment which their
lack Of finances denied them. But friends have oc-
casionally reached such heights Of ease as to con-
tribute 10 the endowment and meet new wants.
What with library and the science build
ing just provided for. the college will be little
hsmpered in Offering all opportunities and facili-
ties that to be had elsewhere.
The president Of to-day can confidently be put
forward meeting in high degree many of the
chief essentials OF a college head. A leading
natural scientist, who knows Nermonts geology
and fora other man. he has breadth of at
tainments and personality well
This centennial brings tho institution naturally
before the public. It is 20 be duly celebrated by
extraordinary commencement exercises, in which
the alumni figure largely and which include
Latin play. The late T. ]. Phelps TO be the
orator Of the occasion. He was one Of number
Of men who have gone from Middlebury TO high
careers.