New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-20
AMERICANS AT OXFORD.
AN ENGLISHMAN THINKS THEIR UTILr.
TARIANISM WILL THERE BE MODI-
FLED BY IDEALISM.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: IT common with other Oxonfans have
been panied reading the reception Cecil Rhodess
bequest has met with in the United States He
enthusiastic believer in Oxford so much so
that after making his pile in diamonds he returned
to Oriel and, passing his examinations. took his
degree a millionaire. Now. he was 10 sentf-
mental fool but practical man. and as such
realized the value of Oxford. He was right. Fit
question of scholarship or science a.
would profit more by the German universities
Tt is altogether that. though Oxford holds her
the great thought shop TO quote Dean
ManseD of the world. We cannot all be pundts or
pedants, but it is a grand gain to pass through an
education of association such as one of the better
colleges in Oxford affords To mix with OF
brains and men Of culture is in itself very valu-
able experience whereof the affection felt ones
college affords ample evidence.
My own neutrality-suspicious. Reades father
Orie1 man. and proud of that glorious
college as was Cecil Rhodes himself I say glorious
aGvisedIy for. while Oriel is Of the smaller col
leges. its reputation stands second to none. When
Cardinal Newman entered its common room as
junior fellow. he found there keble and Pussy.
Arnold of Rugby and Whately. Hurren Froude and
Blanco White. What a galaxy Of talent! Shortly
after. OrieI enriched by Church and Samuel
Wherefore. Matthew Arnold and Clough. the
poets. with others OF repute too numerous to men,
ton.
But it was not solely because of its ornaments
that Rhodes worshipped his college home; rather.
I should say. because there ne spent his happiest
days. the lectures keeping his brain moving. while
genial society and athletic exercises made life
earthly paradise. As he wisely put it. it is not
Oxford University but the college system Of Ok
ford that offers unique advantages.
l note two criticisms of the adverse sort:
First-That oxford is connected with the Church
Of England This is simply untrue. For the last
fifty years Oxford and its colleges have been open
to all True. the college ehapes. being conse-
Grated are reserved for the church service but
attendance is optional and as a matter OF fact
the heads OF BaIlioI Oriel. Magdalen. Merton.
Queens and All Souls are 1aymen-
Second-That the Rhodes will admits OF
color his scholarships. I question whether he
meant this. His desire be liberal and demo-
cratic. but he must have known the dividing line
which separates white from black His trustees
WILL I hope meet this difficulty on the threshold
by according preference to the dominant race.
for in truth the black problem only be solved
by RELOCATING the inferior species to it's natural
position. That the United States should have
enfranchsed the negro amounts to midsummer
madness To abolish slavery rational; to
place the black on a level with the white much
the reverse, and certainly when George Wash
ington penned the first article OF the American
constitution he never intended it to cover the
negro.
Let say to the fine young manhood OF Amer
lea: Come Oxford with open mind and an
open heart. If you import triple crust OF preju-
dice. it will take time shed it. Can I, as a
Magdalen man, forget how Bishop A Cleveland
Coke visited college. and after kneeiing to
beg the blessing of venerable president Martin
]. Routh. then ninety-seven years old, penned his
lovely poem beginning:
England and Oxford Magdalen and May DayF'
That man came to with heart FULL and bore
back with him to the United States such memories
as lasted his lifetime. and that was in 1851, when
England and the United States had not yet begun
to understand each other. To-day, IL there be any
bad blood left it is not our side. In American
manhood recognize evolution from the par
ent type. but If you have fault it consists IN
being too utiitarian and too little ideal This Ok
ford would correct. for IL has long been the home
OF ideas and there the billiOnaire-au object or
alteration with you-would count for nothing In
contrast with poet like Swinburne or Edwin Ar
mold. a philosopher like Ruskin great teacher
such as Jowett Of Baliol- When poor Rhodes
offered your fine fellows a chance OF oxford ne
gave the best he knew. and the best he had 10
give. pray you not TO look the gift horse In the
mouth. but if you must do so. you will find that
his teeth are sound. COMPTON READE.
Manchester, Hereford. April 10. 1902