The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-20
TO GL0RIFY ROCKEFELLER.

me latest freak that has come from tho
chicago University is President Harpers
direction of the faculty and pupisl to fall
down IN alteration when the sacred name OF
rockefeller is pronounced. He suggests
that the trustees secure a bronze or marble
Dust OF Mr.. Rockefeller to add to their
Eastman Johnson painting of the oil
nagnate; that from each convocation OF
the university communication should be
sent to the founder; that the trustees en-
de&vor to secure a visit from the founder
each year of the remaining years OF his
lie. Isn't that enough alteration? Not
for President Harper, for he goes on to
say:
Provision should be made for aquant-
ing the students of the university, not
only with the relationship of Mr.. Rookie
fcller to the university as founder, but
also with the elements of his charac or
which make him prominent among the
men Of modern times. Respect for his
mCcest reserve would perhaps lead to the
postponement OF any direct action along
ert but the matter is certainly deserv-
ing of consideration in the near future.
Commenting on this most remarkable
able, courageous and singularly felicitous
proclamation of the president of Chicago
University, the Springfield Republican,
in exposing humbugs-makes the follow
ing sensible comments:
This department of in9truction--the
chair of Rockefeller and the Elements of
his Character'-shoud employ historical
and exegetical methods, of course. There
are textbooks available for its use. one
of them by the late Henry d. Lloyd. and
another by Miss Tarbell, which is in
progress of publication, month by month,
in McClures magazine. The elements of
character upon which these two writers
place emphasis are those which have pro
duced amazing contentment for law in the
crushing of competitors and the accumu-
lation of wealth. Up to the writing Of
President Harper's review of his univer-
sity's first 10 years. the Tarbell story of
lawlessness had not been shown to be
false
"Glorifcation of 'pious founders is
commonplace of English and American
institutional life, designed to beget rever-
ence for the dead and to promote giving
from the living. But is the Story of
Rockefeller true or false?-if false, why
are those who can show it to be false,
holding their peace? There are millions
available to be employed in crushing both
magazine and writer. and yet no move
is made. The American people are there
fore crediting these revelations, and so
long as they proceed unrefuted, Presi-
dent Harper's program for the definite
worship of Mammon will awaken emo
tions far removed from approval and re-
spect.
"If the fundamentals of commercial mo-
rallty are lost sight of in a great univer-
sity which aims to train young men for
leadership in the church and state the
loss is great. Mere bigness and scope offer
no Offset. There is gain in the exaltation
of worthy heroes and ideals. and corrupt
ing deterioration for American education
must follow where wealth pays its way
to glorifcation that men see to be trea-
son to the honorable standards by which
society is safeguarded, and upon which
it must insist for its own safety, let alone
the higher law. Perhaps this insistence is
to come lower down, and has already be-
gun
The dedication of the Unholy Dollar at
the Chicago University is the most shame
less and brazen lowering of the moral
exhibited anywhere in America.
If Mr.. Rockefeller gives his i'll gotten
gains to an institution, that institution
should accept the money upon the same
theory that the sainted father of Hon.
C. w. Tillett accepted money from a
liquor dealer. The grand old circuit rider,
who was preaching at Company Shops
(now Burlington), was an unrelenting
foe of the liquor traffic and fought it in
season and out of season. if there can be
said to be an ''out of season" in fight
ing the enemy that steals away the brains
and character of men. He was so intense
in opposition to whiskey saloons and so
straightforward that one day there was
a discussion on the streets as to whether
Mr.. Tillett would accept money from a sa-
loonkeeper for the church. Some con-
tended he would take it: some that he
would not III order to test the matter sa-
said that next day at the post
office he would offer Mr.. Tllett the money
Those who were in the secret gathered at
the postoffice at the hour when the preach
er usually called for his mail AS he was
leaving, the saloon keeper advanced to-
ward him and this conversation followed
the crowd listening with interest:
Saloon Keeper: Good morning, Mr.
Tillett. Here is a ten dollar bill 1 wish
to give you for the church, but before
taking it I wish you to know that l made
it from the sale Of whiskey."
Mr.. Tillett, taking the bill and spread
ing it out at full length ''You say you
made this ten dollars selling whskey."
Saloon Keeper: eyes. sir, every cent
Of it was made selling liquor"
Mr.. Tillett, looking ct the SO bill, then
folded it up, and as he put it in his
said to it: "This ten dollar