New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-27
TWO STRIKING SPEECHES.
DIR. SCHURMAN ANSWERS PRESIDENT
HADLEY AND CONTROLLER COLER
ATTACKS STANDARD OIL. -


The Entertainment Committee which had IN
charge the twentieth annual dinner Of the Cor
nell University Alumni at the Waldorf-Astoria
last night can congratulate itself on having pro-
vided some Oratory that out OF the usual
line of after dinner speeches. and which may
provoke discussion. The affair marked by
four interesting features-the announcement OF
an anonymous gift Of $4,000 to the university;
an attack by Controller Coler on the Standard
Oil Company; a spirited refutation by Presi-
dent Sehurman of President Hadleys recent
criticism OF Cornells educational methods and
an announcement that the Philippine COmmis-
sions report would probably be made public in
a few days.
William R. Bronx president Of the Cornell
University Club. presided and at the table Of
honor sat President Schurman Of Cornell, Con
trolIer CoIer Daniel De Forest Van Vleet, OF
Ithaca; the Rev Thomas R. SIicer, DR.. william
NJ Polk. Dean Of the Cornell Medical School:
John De Witt Warner and Ex-Governor AlOnzo
B. Cornell Among the $50 others who were
present were George w. Schurman, brother OF
COrnelrs president; Newell Lyon Merritt E
Haviland Ira A. Place, Seymour P Thomas.
Henry G. Northrup. DR.. L. L. Seaman. an ex-
president Of the club; Colonel Henry W. Sack
ett another ex-president Walter c. Kerr, Mar
tin Mcvoy jr.. William l. Colt. and DR.. Robert
1.
songs between the toasts. Letters OF congratu-
lation and good cheer were read from Ambassa-
dor Andrew D. White in Berlin. CorneIPs first
president and from the Syracuse University
Alumni who were dining In different part OF
the city.
Chairman Bronx. In introducing President
Schurman said that they all shared in the honor
which the Nation had conferred the uni
versity by selecting it's president as Philippine
Commissioner.
DR.. SCHURMANS SPEECH.
President schurman. in replying to the toast
of The University" began by saying that he
would speak of the Philippines. because the
Commissions report was now practically in the
hands Of President Mckinley. and would be
made public in few days. He told instead OF
his visit to Japan and China. and when he came
to speak of the patronizing air which China
assumes toward all the younger civilizations OF
the earth, he INDUCED in the following delicate
sarcasm and reproof:
These characteristics Of the Chinese were brought
home to my attention in the short made
among them but IN the course Of subsequent re-
hections 1 discerued that they not peculiar to
the Orient Why do the Chinese live in the past.
sorIy Ine past anu @ S,s an tSs, ~ U az o IA
nation. and that past has made them what they
scribinE are the attitude Of the Old toward the
dered by the mere fact OF length OF days or count
of years.
And have often said to myself since visiting the
East What enormous advantage any institution
has from the mere fact OF being old. An old uni
versity regards Its old curriculum with the same
feeling Of veneratiOn a a Chinaman feels for the
curriculum is denounced as bar6arous or Phiiistne
Because II is old an institution may be fossil and
rejoice In its petrifaCtion. IL has its friends
and graduates who believe in II and support il The
rulers OF China have been trained in their ancient
classics. and the past Is thus protected In the
high places OF power What advantage for an
old university to have numerous graduates. who
in the learned professions or in business champion
its ideals and lavish money for their TeallzattOnl
The fact or being Otd secures life to such
institution; II can live by prestige. The mere fact
that it's ways old enables II TO that they
are always right and 1t despise younger IN
complshed man of Europe OF America mere
savage or barbarian.
10 Is certain 70 come into possession OF the great
advantage OF being old. OF living its prestige
and in its turn TO practise cOndescensiOn. II II
does not indulge In contempt. for younger rivals.
REJOICES IN YOUTH
still when YOU get out OF the Orient-when you
back TO the New World-you realize, II you
had not time to think OF II before. that there Is
something Of advantage IN mere youth. too. II may
be awkward; Il may cut ugly capers; II Is certain
make mistakes; but then Il Is srasping for sons
IL is not content with what has been; its golden
age is ahead and behind Rank Is but the
guinea stamp"-"A mans man for a that" The
atrocious crime OF youth seems pardonable. II
wants TO do something. not TO rest ancient
laurels II will live by merit and not BY prestige.
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Recommended BY eminent physicians for purity