New-York tribune., 1901-03-24
ANDREW CARNEGIES GIFTS.
PRESIDENT BARROWS OF OBERLIN COL
LEGE MAKES A FEW OBSERVATIONS.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: What other event has given such brightness
10 the dawn OF the century Mr.. CaTnegies
series Of ma gnifcent gifts? Nothing Of equal mag
nude is discoverable the past history of beneh-
cence. Thousands Of hearts thrilled by the
tender words reminding one OF Lincoln with which
Mir. Carnegie communicated his purposes the
working men OF Pittsburg. And how deep and far
sighted is the wisdom which leads him to dedicate
his fortune the intellectual quickenng OF the
American people,
have no sympathy with the respectful critics
who argue that the building Of better tenement
houses, important though this may be. is greater
and more radical need than ampler knowledge. Put
into worthy and aspiring souls The Vtalzing germs
Of truth and they often make for themselves i'm
proved environments, and such gains lasting.
What Abraham Lincoln needed was not much
better cabin as the books which he read by the
cabin fire. The Scotch lad David Livingstone
was work as piecer in Glasgow cotton
factory. but he contrived 10 read his book and run
his spinning jenney at the same time. Without
that book he might not have become the Columbus
and the Apostle Paul Of the Dark Continent. The
hist money which he earned a preacher he gave
10 his bro.Aer Charles and told him 90 Ober-
lin College for his education Doubtless Carlyle's
famous remark that the university is a coll
lection OF books has often been in Mr.. Carnegie's
mind. and he purposes 10 bring to nultitudes of
pain people the life giving and ennobling power OF
Libraries
There is one other supreme intellectualizng and
noralizing force which supplements the pure and
substantial world OF books and that is the quick
ening personality Of the large minded and high
minded teacher. In the wideawake college this
Is stil further aided by the companionships and
earnest rivairies OF fellow students How deep the
debt which the civilization Of the last century owed
10 such personalities those OF Arnold, Agassiz,
hopkins. Woolsey. McCosh. Fairchd and Mary
Lyon And how lasting the gratitude OF thousands
q forcefGl and educated leaders 10 the inspiring
teachers VINO gave them new life, mental dis
0Iiiae and moral hungerings after the highest
things. library in the heart Of college does
Is most marvellous work for il furnishes food TO
minds that are eager absorb and utilize. be-
interest ~
y learning ana 10 mere mental finish as TO neglect
ihe more important work OF arousine the whole
man man ana making MIN force for righteousness and
ic.lIaAlty they miss their best function and take
iower rank than some small collections of books
nave reached through their vitalizng power over
souis SOUS are not colleges In peril OF drawing
away tfom men, or OF making their graduates over
teled in spirit critics and creators cultiva ted
slo forcefu doers2 One ounce OF creative power fs
worth a ton OF academic criticism. From wide OBJ
a5i.ra atVh am sure that many OF colleges
sille the peril Of the GENERALIZATION OF the critical
iaeulues and in studying the history OF some little
nsoNn western institutions I have been glad TO
perceive what pre-eminence they assign 10 char
10 moral trustworthiness and brave self
tlTSaiaLl Iofce- valuable part OF ex-President
ege. ~ "S ~ d small ohlo col
seeking 10 add to the much needed endoyvrnen,
t 70 equipment OF Oberlin. know that / am work
sds tor some OF the vital needs OF the Ameri-
an people. Oberlins heroic teachers living lives
so. cSenpislning poverty and obscurity have sent
e 1o.nn INTO tbs world more than thirty Thousand
tasks ssPSs ssPts VINO have not shrunk from hard
,rsss, as Edward Everett Hale calls H. has an
many Isas constituency and touches the life OF
aostes. iahos oDerlin was foremost In the moral
i.TT.sallon which turned the scale FOR union and
VIZ inadequate means. and by tho mosa