Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-19
SONS OF OLD Nassau
Princeton Graduates About the
Banquet Board.
ADDRESSES AND NGS
Prof. Roger B. c. Johnson Explains
Preceptorial System.
RESPONDS TO THE TIGER YELL"
'Princeton Men in the Orient" and
"The Princeton Spirit" Themes
of Speeches.
RESPONDS TO THE TIGER YELL"

of Speeches.
The sons of Old Nassau resident in Wash
ington and their guests gathered about the
banquet board at Rauscher's last evening
and extolled their alma mater In eloquent
speeches, spirited college songs and rousing
cheers. 1t was the annual dinner OF the
Princeton Alumni Association of the Dis
trfct and the occasion was characterized by
the display of enthusiasm and loyalty for
the great university and by the spirit of
comradeship which prevailed among the
members of the association. Graduates OF
Princeton in the classes of twenty and thir-
ty years ago entered into the enjoyment of
the evening with the same energy as the
alumni of the last few years. and all were
college boys again, in spirit at least living
over their student days at Old Nassau.
The table was arranged in the form of a
horseshoe and the Princeton colors, orange
and black. constituted the chief feature of
the decorations. DIR. w. G.. Neff. president
of the association, presided, and introduced
Mr.. Henry E. Davis, who acted as toast
master. Among the speakers were FroI.
Roger B. c. johnson of Princeton, Speaker
Joseph e. Cannon. Mr.. Charles DENLY or
the State Department and Mr.. Thomas Z.
Noyes
Preceptorial System Explained.
Prof. Johnson occupies the chair of phi
losophy at Princeton. and represented Pres
ident Woodrow Wilson. who was unable to
be present Prof Johnson's address was
devoted principally to explaining the pre-
ceptorial system of instruction which has
recently been instituted in the university,
and his remarks were listened to with
marked attention.
Lob H,, fr1tr a.
marks spoke of improvements in the stu
dent life of Old Nassau. There are two
improvements he said, that are partlc-
uiarly cause for congratulation. One is
the establishment of the honor system
among the recent students. It is beautf-
full system. where the new students come
together and say: There shall be no more
dishonesty 1t Is not yet adopted in all the
classes. but 1t will be. The other Is the ut
ter abolition of 'haZ ing 1t no longer ex-
lists 'Horsng' Is all right. 1t Is harmless
and good In teaching young fellows swollen
with pride they are not the whole thing.
The speaker in explaining the preceptorial
system now in vogue in Princeton men
toned the disadvantages under which large
colleges have been working owing to the
large numbers In each class. rendering 1t
impossible for the teacher to give his at
tention to the individual student, as is done
in smaller colleges.
This is now obviated at Princeton by the
employment OF preceptors who instruct the
students In classes comprising not more
than half a dozen. They can thus give
personal assistance according to the indi-
vidual needs of the student,
The plan does not suppfant the lecture to
the entire class by the professor but is
supplemental to 1t, giving the student OPP
portunity to master the particular themes
upon which he may be deficient.
This system" said Prof. johnson, lis no
longer an experiment. 1t is an accomplished
fact, and its results have more than ex-
ceeded expectation. Its success is mainly
rcrI-n Of lav,A
Greeted With Cheers
At the conclusion of Prof. Johnson's ad-
dress Speaker Cannon entered the banquet
room, and was greeted with hearty cheers
and the tiger yell. Toastmaster Davis, in
presenting Mr.. DENLY, spoke of the achieve
ments of several of the Princeton alumni
which have attracted wide attention. The
influence of the institution and of its men,
he declared, has spread to all parts of the
world
Mr.. DENLY spoke on Princeton Men in
the Orient" While he was abroad in the
diplomatic service of the United States, he
said, he met graduates of Old Nassau who
were doing credItable work as business men,
preachers and teachers. In China and ia
pan the influence of Princeton is being felt,
and the spirit of the institution Is being
spread over all countries
Speaker Cannon was introduced In a brief
speech by Representative Joseph Holt
Gaines, an alumnus Of Princeton. The
Speaker paid high compliment to Old Mas
Sau as one OF the leading universities in the
land.
1T is my regret" he said, that 1 am
not an alumnus of Princeton. But I am
a postgraduate of Brush College, on the
Wabash. While we of old Brush College
have labored to uphold the principles of
this republic, yet We have worked with duh
tools compared to those with which you
men Of Princeton are equipped. Princeton
do more. and am pleased to have an OPP
portunity to meet with her sons and par
ncipate in praising her. I will not say,
however. that every man who goes through
Princeton Is a saint"
Speaker Cannon told several of his char
acteristio and amusing stories and sat
down amid rousins cheers and handsciap-
ping.
The Princeton Spirit.
Mr.. Noyes responded to the toast '-rhs
Princeton Spirit" The present occasion,
he said, suggests what is meant by the
Princeton spirit. 1t means loyalty to the
university and loyalty TO each other But
more than that. the real spirit of the COL
lege is broad, and 1t teaches men to OH
serve the principles OF brotherhood and
comradeship toward all men whether they
be graduates of old Nassau or not
Princeton" he said, SIS not merely the
pile of brick and stone at Princeton. N,
j., but Princeton is all over the world
The university buildings constitute merely
the head of Princeton. but the arms and
finSbs and body OF Princeton extend into
all parts of tho earth. and the spirit OF the
institution Is felt among all mankind"
Mr.. Noyes said he did not stand as an
advocate OF hazing, but he thought a mod
crate amount of hazing or rigging Is good
for a freshman 1t Is that which binds the
new men In the school together and gives
them an idea OF Princeton spirit little
pressure Is essential to bring the classes
together, and gives a young man some idea
or the Importance OF the general body while
REDUCING his selfish idea of the super-tm-
portance OF the Individual
Al the close OF Mr.. rSoyes' remarks the
diners arose and drank O toast TO ssOId
Princeton" The banquet was REGARDED
as one OF the most successful ever held by
the Washington association
Is there any quicker or better way to