New-York tribune., 1901-03-04
NEwYORK DAILY TRIBUNE. MONDAY MARCH T. 1901
LIBERTY OF TEACHING.
DIR. HENRY VAN DYKE DECLARES AND
DEFENDS HIS OPINION.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Il do not believe in the free silver theory.
Yet would rather see that theory prevail than
see a university professor silenced by mere
authority. and without good reasons clearly
stated anil frankly maintained Truth is
precious: philosophy is precious: but liberty is
still more precious because il is the safeguard
OF both"
That is what I said and that is what I stand
by Without liberty Of thought and speech. in
telectual despotsm is inevitable. and research is
Impossible Universities stand for unimpeded
freedom in seeking the truth and entire eandor
In giving the results of the search.
a professors tenure Of office depends solely
upon the quality of his work his ability to
teach and his obedience to the avowed rules of
the university. The application of secret uu-
published standard is an injustice to the pro-
fessor and an injury to the university. 1t drops
to the level of a private institution for the
propagation of certain views and theories.
Such institutions are legitimate and probably
necessary. For example. almost all theological
seminaries belong To this class They are avow-
edy founded to train men for the Baptist,
Methodist Presbyterian or Episcopal ministry.
For teacher in such seminary to go against
the acknowledged standards of his church would
be dishonest. He must hold his place on the
conditions which he has voluntarily accepted.
Even i'm university there certain general
i, standards which openly acknowledged and
therefore binding For example Princeton is
frankly founded on Christian basis No
Princeton professor has right TO teach atheism
or immortality. He understands this condition
and accepts ii when he takes his office. But
there secret tests to hamper him in his
work. He is not bound to uphold scientific or
literary theories which are acceptable to the
majority Of the trustees He Is not the hired
mouthpieCe of concealed authority. He is not
paid to maintain the superiority of Presbyterian
poets to EpiscOpalian poets He is not retained
to defend the existing Industrial economic
system. He Is expected to investigate facts and
laws carefully. to draw conclusions reasonably
and to give his Judgments candidly. The only
grounds on which ne can be dismissed are two.
First, that he has broken the avowed conditions
on which he was called; or second, that he does
his work too badly to his salary.
Let US suppose that your absurd illustration
is fact. Suppose professor OF literature
teaches that Tupper IS superior to Shakespeare
as poet What will the university do with
him? Will ii silence him on the ground that
the trustees prefer Shakespeare. or even on the
ground that, being publishers. they have finan-
! ciaI interest in Shakespeare's works? Certainly
not II will give the a chance TO explain
and defend his extraordinary views and when
he has shown his inanity and lost his hold on his
| classes it will advise him to seek some other
| kind OF work for which he is more fit Pro
| fessors NAV be dismissed for Incompetence. but
( not for independence.
| But suppose another case. Suppose a pro-
! fessor. in a university which claims to stand
on broad basis of loyalty to truth. arrives at
| certain views the questions OF coolie immi-
| grafton. on the municipal ownership of street
| railroads. which are dstasteful to the founder
| Of the university, TO the trustees. or TO the
| president. Shall the man be discharged? Such
/ an action would be both unjust and uncandid
| The institution which follows such course is
| bound To avow its position coOlie and cor
poration university. Then the public will always
| know where To find II. 1t will be in small
| class But IL win he fair and honest.
! The freedom Of academic teaching. however
| is plainly inconsistent with such position. Th'
| great body Of universities regard their intel
| leCtual liberty the safeguard of their integ
| Titv the guarantee OF their sincerity and ths
| guide to sound views. Those of who hold
| conservative opinions and wish them to prevail
| must be prepared to defend them, in open forum
| by clear statement fair application and good
reason Authority cannot help us Money can
| not give us the victory. Force can neither pro
| tect nor destroy the truth From it's own seeds
| IL must spring by its life il must grow
| rooted in the soil of reason, and hourishing IN
| the air Of freedom. HENRY VAN DYKE
! Princeton University. March :, 1901.