New-York tribune., 1901-06-12
TALKS on "ANATEUR SPIRIT"
BLISS PERRY APPLIES IT TO VARIOUS WALKS
OF LIFE

Bliss Perry. Editor Of The Atlantic Monthly"
formerly professor OF oratory in Princeton. de-
hvered an interesting address the subject Of
the Amateur Spirit" before the Columbia Chapter
OF Phi Beta Kappa yesterday. saying:
The amateur. We ere accustomed 10 say. works
for love and not for money He cutivates
cause Of his ts9e for n He or is an tfacbe8 ne n not
because i gives him living but because It min
classed as q professional actor and an amateur
painter The amateur athlete may be so " holly IN
earnest take risks which no amount OF money
would tempt him TO undergo Amateur philan-
throphy s OF great and Increasing service in the
many instances the American pursues his avocation
he pursues his vocation The amateur surely has
ms charm and he has his virtues-virtues that have
never wrought more happily for him than here
upon American soil Versatility. enthusiasm fresh
tradition and precedent faculty for cutting
lots these are the qualities OF the American pioneer
diplomacy have been made by men without diplo-
years almost unknown lawyer from an insig-
nihcant city called 10 the head OF the Department
use9 MS ap1onae S Tbs bsto1v prof Sf fbs
American Cabinet in spite ot many exceptions IS
an apotheosis Of the amateur
In literature Just now we are witnessing the ex-
enee Of craftsmanship is actually counted among
nsagitng auth0rs & assets But he Lacks Rower for
writer is illustration OF the easy glorihcaton
Of amateur qualities the neglect OF professional
II The connOisseur is the one who, knows and
the amateur is often the one who would Ike 10
KNOW, Dut IS too lazy 10 learn.
II the amateur search for truth n
otvidualsm IL also produces the crank Who does
not know the amateur economist with his sacred
ratios; the popular preacher. who elucGatA
Darwin hile you wait. II you wish; the amateur
critic, who has no knowledge OF standards: the
I lady amateur, who writes without knowing
I prosody and paints pictures without learning
draw. and performs what she calls social service
without training her children either IN man
ners or religion Some day. let trust the young
man who desires 10 serve his country in her civil
service her consular and diplomatic service will
ma himself not. as now, blocked by amateurish
system OF rewards for party fealty. but upon the
road 20 genuine professional career.
II Is not the prize1ghter only who brings pro
tesslionalism into disrepute. nor the Jockey who
puIls a horse the oarsman who sells race
The taint OF professionalism clings the business
I man that can think only Of his shop. the scholar
that talks merely Of letters the politician that
asks OF the proposed measure. What is in this for
me- To risk al for the sake Of gaining all is the
reason why the amateur football game for all its
hruta-ities. has taught many young scholar A
/ inner lesson than the classroom has taught him
namely. 70 risk HIS neck for his college
A mans proper business IS not to succeed h1t 70
fail in good spirits This does not mean that failure
IS preferable success. but that more siguihca NJ
than either success failure IS the courage wit h
which rides into the II is his moral at
ttude toward his work which puts the workman
above the fatalities Of time and chance so thar
whatever fortune befalis the labor his hands the
training OF his soul remains undefeated and secure