The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-17
is no denying the fact
that the United States has en-
tered upon the last and high


that the United States has en-
tered upon the last and high
est or intellectual stage of ITS
development. Its physical resources
have been exploited and developed
with unprecedented rapidity and on a
scale never before known in the world $
history. Its commerce has reached
out to the uttermost parts or the
earth. There is now refiuent wave
OF development, by which America
turns about and applies the incre-
ment of its natural resources TO the
cultivation of intellect. If, as the poet
said long ago, "the proper study OF
mankind is man." so likewise II has lat
terly been recognized that the greatest
product of the centuries is man. TO
produce the highest type OF mankip1 Is
the laudable endeavor of our educators
today. and ii is To the everlasting credit
of our race that when such appears he
is given universal acclaim.
From the present intellectual recep-
tivity of the world in general optimistic
philosophers argue that the time lis
ripe, or nearly so. for the appearance
of the consummate flower of our civil
lization in the person of some one in
dividual who shall surpass every other
of his kind. To this end all our edu-
Gators have been laboring In the past,
and there is probably no one man who
has done more 10 bring about the de-
sired result than DR.. Daniel Colt Gill
man. president elect of the projected
Carnegie institution.
In reviewing what he has done for the
advancement OF his fellow men, DR.. Gill
man cannot, of course. be considered by
himself apart. and no one would more
freely than he acknowledge the debt he
owes 10 society and to the influences
among which he was born.
No man stands for himself alone, iso-
late and independent. In himself he
represents conditions and environment
lin short. the status of the civilization
| Of his time SO IL would seem In a
measure invidious TO write Of this great
educator without referring TO the form
ative influences that affected his ca
reer. and especially the men who made
his great achievements possible. Most
prominent among the first named were
Or. Gilman's ancestry and the institu'
tions OF the section I'm which he passed
/ his youth. lie is descended from Coun-
cilor John Gilman OF Exeter. n. H.. ar
! immigrant OF English birth who came
TO America in 1888. He was born July
9. 1881, pursued preparatory studies In
the city OF New York and entered Yale
college. from which he was graduated
i'm 1882 The three succeeding years Were
devoted 20 study and travel i'm Europe
where for awhile he was attached TO the
! United States legation at st. Peters
/ burg and later was a commissioners e
the French exposition OF 1855 I'm which
| H.. In AnaRpfHn MI a..
cepted a position as librarian at Yale
Between 1856 and 1872 he was professor
of physical and political geography al
his alma mater. secretary OF the Shef-
/ field Scientific school. a trustee OF tho
/ winchester observatory, a visitor OF the
/ Yale School of Fine Arts. for q short
time city superintendent OF schools In
New Haven and secretary of the state
board of education.
In 1872 Dr. Gilman crossed the conti-
nent and became president OF the Uni.
versity Of California. There lie frs
displayed that rare breadth OF view. in
sight into the best university method,
and absolute genius In executive ability
that made him celebrated. DIR. Gilman
had been called TO California In 1870
and az the first president OF the uni
| versity gave great satisfaction 60 iti
/ regents and added strength to the insti
tuition. lie founded several chairs ant
procured their endowment by wealth,