The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-28
A Question of Fitness.

There have been some expressions
of resentment over the remarks OF Or.
G. r. Parkin, who has arrived at New
York to arrange for the holding OF the
preliminary examinations in this coun-
try of candidates for the Cecil Rhodes
scholarships in Oxford university,
England, provided for in the will OF
the late Cecil Rhodes, the South Afrl-
can millisqaire.
DR.. Parkfn, somewhat overzealous In
the matter of the alleged superiority
Of the university system Of England,
declares that, as America is a world
power, she ought to have men with
world knowledge to represent her
abroad, and, "Oxford, is the place
where these men will get that train
ing which will fit them to stand with
the statesmen Of other great coun-
tries"
That Is tantamount to saying that
we have no university where the high
err education, as generally understood
is taught efficiently, and no postgrao-
nate courses where provision Is made
to meet the demand for instruction IN
the vast domains OF learning and dis
coyery following the steady increase
of knowledge and the closer CONTACT
Of the human race with each other, re-
curing a knowledge Of the history OF
diplomatic intercourse, international
treaties, etc. Americans must, accord
ing to DR.. Parkin, go to Oxford to pc
come finished statesmen and d1plo-
mats. /,lt1.~9
AS a matter of fact, we began our
life as a nation with such public men
as John Adams, Franklin, Jefferson,
John Jay, Hamilton and other illustri-
Gus statesmen, some Of whom most
effectively represented the young re-
public at foreign courts. Nor can in
efficiency in the representatives of this
nation be charged, either at the great
foreign courts or In the present head OF
the state department, who has greatly
enhanced the respect Of the other
world powers for our influence abroad.
Our universities have their defects,
no doubt, but they cannot be charged
with not keeping up with the educa-
tional progress Of the world. Oxford
and it's neighbor Cambridge, in Eng
land, long held on to the old university
idea that such an institution was In
tended to operate theological, law and
medical faculties, with large place
for Greek, Latin and mathematics
This idea Of a university no longer
holds. Oxford and Cambridge were
| so behind the tirne-spirit, that we got
l out Of the old educational rut ahead
i Of them and expanded the educat1ona
facilities, and are still expanding then
| in accordance with the literal signifi'
canoe Of the root Of the word "uni'
versity.''
It was not until 1882 that Oxfore
and Cambridge got on a modern edu
cational basis. and great changes were
Imade. The University Of London wa'
founded In 1863, as was Victoria uni
; versity in 1880, to meet demand
, which had not been met by the TIVE
!, ancient seats Of learning. There has
, in our country, been no symmetry II
!, the method of university construction
!. or management and no conformity t
fixed rule, but this has always bee1
the case in England, too. This is no
a serious fault; but, in England, Their
is a. chronic complaint that education
: at both OF the old universities is to
: expensive for students Of noderat
means, which cannot be said Of gu
!, universities. The charge mad
! against oxford and Cambridge unit
1 comparatively recent years. was tina
4 they were reverentially contemplate
as the abode Of the elect and de
signedly known as class institution!
I the private preserve OF the wealth,
81 from which facilities Tor intellectua
4 progress are wrung only after intoler
e able labor.
8 These old institutions. It is fair. i