Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-11-14
A PRINCETON LETTER.
A Graduate of Alma College Tells
of the Happenings There.

Tie past few months have been
time Of peculiar interest to Princetonian,
and all well wishers of Old Nassau
There have been changes at both the
university and the theological semi
nary. DR.. Patton, the efficient presi
dent Of the university, has resigned anC
been succeeded by DR.. Woodrow Wilson
while Or. Patton has accepted the presi-
dency of the seminary. Within the
past few months the seminary has come
in possession of about 81 SOC. 600 addi
! tional endow ment, and 1t Is the intention
of Pres. Patton that Princeton Seminary
shall not be COZ tent 10 be the peer of
American Seminaries, but that il shall
forge farther ahead and become the
equal If any seminary in the world.
But while from religious or intel
lectual point of view the seminary is the
cap sheaf of Princeton advantages, the
university Is Of more popular interest.
This is not because the public takes less
interest in the welfare Of the seminary
but because the university comes into
direct touch with much larger body of
people.
On October 25th the university as
the cynosure of the educational world.
On that day Dr. Woodrow Wilson was
inaugurated as l4th president of the
university. A distinguished array of
men were present to grace the occasion.
Among those present were the presi-
dents of Columbia. Yale, and Chicago
universities official representatives,
from all the theological seminaries
and universities and scores of
prominent alumni. Among those
present who were not representatives of
educational centers were Ex Speaker
Reed, Samuel Clements, MARX Twain),
the governor and staff Of New Jersey
and j Pierpont Morgan,
The speakers Of the occasion were Ex
President Patton, Ex President Cleve-
land and DR.. Wilson. 1t would be diff
ficult to find trio Of more effective
speakers. None of them have been
spoiled by the rhetorician's art; none
resorted 10 any oratcrical tricks; hut
each one was exceedingly eloquent, but
in each case the elCquence consisted far
more in the content than in the form Of
the address. Each one had something
TO say worth saying; each one said it in
an Ineligible manner; each one re-
ceived the most intense attention and
each one was rewarded with unstinted
DR.. Patton felicitated the university
upon the auspicjous occasion and In
well chosen words congratulated all
concerned upon the happy circumstances
which had resulted in the selection of
DR.. Wilson as president of the univer-
sity. Many Of DR.. Patton's admirers do
not hesitate 20 assent that he has the |
keenest mind in the educational circles
Of the country Concerning this there
may be perhaps a legitimate difference Of
opinion, no but as one can question that
whenever he has anything TO say the
educational world listens breathlessly
for his message
Grover Cleveland spake on behalf Of
the hoard of trustees. The writer has
been always frent admirer Of Cleve
land, and considered il great treat 10
be able to hear his speech. Cleveland
lauded Priuceton's Conservatism, but
made il plain that her conservatism is
not that kind which stubbornly clinRs
to cid methods IN preference 10 new
methods which are inherently better;
but IL Is that conservati I'm which is so
of the high IDEAL which has
made her past glorious that she will not
run after mere novelty, nor make any
Changes until it is apparent that the
change will better enable her to fulfil !
her ideal. In other ords she VIII use
the most efficient methods always, but
she will never forsake her ideal, nor |
worship false educational gods.
He deprecated the tendency in many |
places to premit the student and not !,
5he faculty, to decide which courses of
study are best designed to train and |
discipline the mind. He also intimated |
hat the present importunate restless
ness which is demanding that an
abridged and inefficient course of study
hall be crowned with a college diploma
will not be heeded at Princeton, no mat
er what others may do; but be prophe-
Iized that the time will come when
'aner judgment will recognize the al.
most indispensable value Of college
course, that is neither halt. nor blind,
lor lame.
DR.. Woodrow Wilson followed with
lis inaugural address. He was listened
% with rapt attention. He made it
lear that he loved the Princeton ideal
md ould labor with sll his strength
or its realization. After his address
he audience sang Martin Luther's
Ls~L