New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-30
COLUMBTA'S ANNEVERsARY.

The one hundred and fftieth anniversary OF
the institution now known as Columbia Univer-
sity is invested with varied interest. To some.
no doubt the salient feature was the superb
display of the material plant which was made
to a host Of visitors on Friday. Others regarded
the football game of yesterday as the crowning
incident of the festival. There are those who
will look with most sympathy upon to-days re-
ligious exercises and their reminder OF the IN
stitution's connection with the Protestant Epis-
copaI Church Others again are looking most
earnestly to to-morrow's bestowal Of degrees
Yet other details appeal to other minds. To the
general public, which is. after all, so incom-
parably greater than even the large constituency
Of Columbia University, the anniversary Is per-
haps chiefly suggestive of reflections upon the
progress and development of higher education
in this country. Of which the story Of Columbia
is a significant if not an altogether complete
epitome.
We have spoken Of ''the institution now known
as Columbia University" 1t was at first Kings
College, fact reminding us 10 what extent our
early culture and civilization were Of English
origin. II was next and for the greater part OF
its career Columbia College only, ranking as
one Of our minor colleges. with few profes-
sional schools nominally associated with 1t.
Finally it has become Columbia University.
with the old college for q nucleus and with nu-
hsnerous professional and graduate schools organ
ffally united with IL under a true university
system. Such has not of course, been the story
Of all our colleges and universities individ-
uals. Some had no trace o. Old World influ-
ence in their founding Some have remained
small colleges all their lives. while others were
made real universities at the outset. Nor can
we say that Columbia was in either its earlier
or its later development a pioneer. Neverthe-
less, the story Of its progress presents a close
parallel TO the story Of our institutions Of higher
learning as a whole Collegiate and university
education in America was Of English origin.
For many years it consisted chiefly Of small
colleges and separate OF only partially related
professional schools. with no real university
organization. Finally, within the last genera
ton true university system has been widely
established.
In other respects the growth Of Columbia has
been similarly Characteristic Of the whole Amer
lean system. Columbia owes its material en-
dowment 10 various sources. II has received
some from the State, some from one Of the de-
nominations Of the Christian Church. some
from the munilcence of individual citizens and
some from the gains made through shrewd ad-
minlstrat!on of its affairs. It IA in one or more
Of these ways that most other institutions have
been built up. Again. il is to be observed that
the more Columbia gets the more II wants
Little old Columbia College Of a generation or
two ago seemed pretty well able and content to
get along with the endowment which it had:
but when il Joined the university movement and
began 10 enlarge its borders and its work there
was different story. Money came to II by
millions, but still it needed and called for mill
ions more. To-day ii ranks, we believe as the
third richest institution in America, and vet
scarcely any other is more earnest and urgent
IN us calls for further gifts Nor are those calls
idle or unfounded- Columbia needs more
money. So does every university and college
worthy OF the name. The more it gets. the
more il needs. for the reason that with every
addition to its resources it increases it's work
and its Liabilities 10 a still greater extent That
is the story and that is the condition OF Our
whole system Of higher education.
II IS natural and inevitable that II should he
SO. and he would be shortsighted and unjust
who should complain Of and denounce the fact
Inc highest interests OF the human mind and
soul are not pecuniarily profitable in themselves
Ihey cannot pay their own way But they do
pay the way of others. and they are obiaotiveIv
profitable In the highest degree. Columbia INT
HeIShE cannot pay It's own way as business
enterprise; out the instruction il has given In all
tAese years mas added to the money making
power OF the community TO simply iDcaIcuIahla
degree. To say that because of Colurnh,o op6
its influence the wealth Of Neyy-Yorl- bos 49,
increased by uncounted millions would be safalv
WITHIN the truth. II is upon that ground ~ no
other. that this and every other worthy inst,t,1
lon has an unanswerable claim. in iustica ond
IN equity to the most generous material SIM.
port OF the public, and it will not he the leo
valuable part Of Columblas anpiversarv tbot -
reminds The people Of New-York and Of Americs
Of that fact.